• Koloa’s Hacker is good as gold • Niumalu Canoe Club looking for paddlers • Walter Smith canoe race coming up • Kekaha continues win streak Koloa’s Hacker is good as gold By Duane Shimogawa – The Garden Island New
• Koloa’s Hacker is good as gold
• Niumalu Canoe Club looking for paddlers
• Walter Smith canoe race coming up
• Kekaha continues win streak
Koloa’s Hacker is good as gold
By Duane Shimogawa – The Garden Island
New to the sport, but not new to winning is Koloa resident Luke Hacker, who recently conquered the Jiu-Jitsu world and triumped with a gold medal in the Pan American Jiu-Jitsu tournament in California, earlier this month.
“We’re so proud of him and all of his accomplishments,” his mom, Maria Hacker said.
The former Kaua‘i High School student, won the gold in the feather weight blue belt division. The win was also sweet for Hacker, who suffered a concussion just a few weeks prior to the big event.
“Luke is an awesome athlete, who works really hard for everything, and he deserves all the credit for his many accomplishments,” Luke’s coach, Bruno Ewald said. Hacker’s win was also impressive because of the way he annihilated his five opponents on the way to his top-notched victory.
“He made all of his foes submit, which is very impressive, considering the type of competition he was going up against,” Bruno said. The tournament consisted of individuals from all over the world, including Japan, Brazil, Russia, and Europe.
Luke also surfs in his spare time and has a brother (Aaron) who is one of the top surfers in the state.
Niumalu Canoe Club looking for paddlers
The Niumalu Canoe Club is looking for paddlers to join its Na Opio program (ages 10-18).
Practices are Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Kalapaki Beach, right in front of Duke’s Restaurant. For more information, contact Bryson Higashi at 645-0613.
Walter Smith canoe race coming up
Looking for a free, fun way to spend a Saturday with your family? Why not come down to Wailua River Park on May 14 and watch the annual Walter Smith Memorial Canoe Regatta? From 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., you will be able to see some of Kaua‘i’s finest outrigger canoe paddlers compete in exciting flatwater sprints. So bring a picnic basket, or munch on some ono (tasty) grinds from Kawaikini Canoe Club’s food booth, and enjoy the races. For more information, call 822-9122 or 822-0647.
Kekaha continues win streak
Mana Perreira-Alquiza of Kekaha nailed down the win against the Kalawai Cardinals and pitcher Michael Morris-Nix, 8-4 on April 16 in West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball bronco action.
Joey Bagain and Kahai Hosaka also pitched for Kekaha. Mikeo Rita and Chyson Cortez-Goias were on the mound for Kalawai.
At the plate, Perreira-Alquiza (2-3, 1 RBI), Shylen Keuma (1-3, 1 RBI), Brigg Kupo-Perreira (1-3, 1 RBI), Clayvine Hasegawa (1-2), and Hosaka (2 RBI’s) all led the way for Kekaha. Cortez-Goias (1-3) and Caleb Licke (1-2) paced the Cardinals.
Perreira-Alquiza also got the win on April 12 against the Waimea Blue Jays, 9-6 and Steven Werner picked up the loss. However, Werner belted a homerun in the second inning, which got a big roar from the huge crowd.
Hosaka and Bagain also manned the mound for the Indians. Kalama Yorkman and Chance Ta‘ala worked their arms on the mound for Waimea.
Kupo-Perreira (3-3, 2 RBI’s), Keli‘i Shigematsu (2-3, 1 RBI), Tylan Remata (1-4, 2 RBI’s), Keuma (1-1, 1 RBI), Perreira-Alquiza (2-4), and Hasegawa (2-4) led the Kekaha hitting parade. Werner (1-3, HR, 4 RBI’s), Yorkman (1-1), Camden (1-2), Tanner (1-2), and Ryne (1-1) put up the heavy lumber for Waimea. West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball action continues today in Waimea with both bronco and mustang action, starting at 8 a.m.
