KAPA‘A — The Kawaihau Community Little League will be sending two Minors All-Stars team to the District playoffs Thursday at the Aikahi Park in Kaneohe, O‘ahu. Coach Kanane Kamibayashi of the Minor All-Stars Gold team said this is the first
KAPA‘A — The Kawaihau Community Little League will be sending two Minors All-Stars team to the District playoffs Thursday at the Aikahi Park in Kaneohe, O‘ahu.
Coach Kanane Kamibayashi of the Minor All-Stars Gold team said this is the first time Kawaihau will be sending two teams, the members being selected from the pool of six teams which recently completed its season of play.
“This way, we can have more kids have the experience of playing in tournaments,” said Kamibayashi. “The kids come from two teams from Kilauea, the Marlins and the Braves, one from Anahola, the Dodgers, and the Astros and Yankees from Kapa‘a.”
District play starts Friday at the Aikahi Park. If successful, the teams have an opportunity to advance to the state competition on Maui.
The Kawaihau Majors All-Stars will be hosting the district playoffs for its division later this month at the Main Diamond at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
Gold team members include La‘akea Gonsalves, Makali‘i Olivera, Ashley Contrades, Billy Victorino Jr., Atta Duncan, Kai‘ini Marshall, Sefa Leae, Trevlin Burdett, Jacob “Pono” Kamibayashi, Ryan Neumann, Kahale Kaleiohi and Kevin Flores.
The Gold team coaching staff includes Kaupena Ka‘auwai, Kanane Kamibayashi and Kaina Matsushima.
The Purple Minors All-Star team includes Caden Shimabukuro, Levi Cummings, Keoni Steiner, Chasen Tumamao, Isaac Nagahisa, Hailama Swartman, Cole Estrella, Makoa Gorospe, Nainoa Cardinez, Keawe Cabebe Jhencen Cummings, Trevor Kua and Ka‘imi Malina, the same Lihu‘e Mustang All-Star who threw a no-no and came up with three big hits during Saturday’s Mustang’s playoffs.
The Purple coaching staff includes Karl Kimura, Mikey Cardinez and Nathan Smith.
