KAPA‘A — Dodgeball players between ages 4 and 65 wrapped up three days of fun and fellowship on Saturday at the All Saints Gym in Kapa‘a.
“The new time schedule really worked,” said Sybil Nishioka, the tournament director for the 6th annual Fun in Fellowship Dodgeball Tournament. “We were able to finish all three age group divisions right on time, or earlier, and despite some last minute scratches, it was one of our best tournaments.”
Nishioka credited the scratches to the numerous parties and events taking place across the island, but all available time slots were filled with “exhibition games.”
Cody Bonilla, a paramedic with American Medical Response and a longtime dodgeball participant, was on duty at the Koloa Plantation Days parade, but said he planned on meeting up with his team members once things slow down.
Kaua‘i County Council members Nadine Nakamura and KipuKai Kuali‘i, participating in the parade, were able to get to Kapa‘a to help present the awards in the keiki and youth divisions, Nishioka said.
Akoni “AJ” Arruda, Aukai Arruda, Jaden Domingcil, Kyrus Domingcil, Maika Bandman and Kyler Napoleon make up the “Li’l Stars,” last year’s champions and repeating as the Keiki Tournament Team, capturing the Best Sportsmanship award despite being eliminated from division play.
The Assassins, comprised of Haiden Genegabuas-Hirakawa, Raiden Kurisu, Braden Tabura, Jaden Domingcil, AJ Arruda and Ricky Rego topped the division standings of the Keiki 10 and Under followed by the Hawaiian Warriors and the Kaua‘i Rush Keiki.
Riley Pezario, Mason Gibson, Kiran Costa, Kaenan Lacaden, Austin Camat and Tyler Hawthorned made up the Kaua‘i Rush Keiki which captured the Best Uniform in the keiki division.
The Kaua‘i Rush Youth, made up of Logan Gibson, Kai Brun, Jayson Hawthorne, Eljay Camat, Coleman Langstaff, Courtney Bunao, Ian Kimura and Kaenan Lacaden, was named the Tournament Team in the youth division as well as the recipient of the Best Sportsmanship in that division.
Tyson Aipa Rivera, Tyrell Aipa Rivera, Maka Vidinha Rivera, Ezekiel Bagano, Jonathan Bilyeu, Larson Aiwohi, Taylenn Reis Daligdig made up the Unconquered 13s, winner of the Youth 13 and Under division.
Killamanjatos, making a strong showing in the round robin play, Thursday, and 808 Boys, garbed in their yellow T-shirts, filled out the leaderboards of that division.
Ty Shiramizu, Tyler Costa, Aharon Kaleikini, Damien Lynch, LaDevion “Didi” Jones, Devin Gandia, Austin Riemer and Sean Shiramizu formed Incognito, shuffling and dancing onto the floor in their “Men in Black” outfits to earn the Best Uniform in the Youth division for the third straight year, several of their members flying in from off-island, including Las Vegas, to participate in the tournament.
Incognito went on to take out Unconquered in the Youth 17 and Under division for top honors in the division standing, the Warriors of Christ, coming on strong to get past Icognito in the opening round of the playoffs before succumbing to the “Men in Black” for third place.
Respect the Locals, made up of several community leaders including Evan Costa, Aaron Cummings, Ian Costa, Ehren Edwards, Michael Tresler, Colby Baliaris, Kipi Akana and Coppin Colburn, garnered audience support en route to finishing third in the Masters division and earning the Masters Tournament team along with Best Sportsmanship.
Keoni Kelekoma, Kalen Pegeder, Sarah Alonzo, Megan Yotsuda, Jessie Patillo, Dayson Nanbu and Keli‘ikoa Baclayon made up the Smurfs which took the Best Uniform for the Masters.
Damian Lynch, LaDeveon Jones, Sean Shiramizu, Mick Voight, Jeff Santos and Antoine Jones made up the Wolfpack, a young team which relegated defending champions Manapua Munchahs to second place in the Masters Kane division, Respect the Locals filling in third place.
Galen’s Gang of Katie Caoagas, Tristol Manual, Linda Nelson, Jeff Santos, Keoki Carvalho, Jack Yatsko, Colby Baliaris, Shane Sheldon and Amanda Castillo topped the Masters Coed division followed by Manifestations and Supastars Coed.
“The teams are looking forward to next year, and every effort will be made to obtain the funding needed to put this tournament on and keep it free to the community,” Nishioka said.
“Almost all of the participants really grasped the meaning of this event — fun in fellowship.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
