KAPAA — Coach Abe Kuhaulua of the Kawaihau Minors All Stars feels his team has a good shot to win the Hawaii Little League, District 1 tournament which starts Friday on Oahu. “Last year, it came down to Kaneohe and
KAPAA — Coach Abe Kuhaulua of the Kawaihau Minors All Stars feels his team has a good shot to win the Hawaii Little League, District 1 tournament which starts Friday on Oahu.
“Last year, it came down to Kaneohe and us in the championship game,” said Kuhaulua, who has 30 years of coaching experience. “This year, we don’t face Kaneohe until Sunday because as defending champions, they get a bye.”
The Kawaihau Minors All Stars, made up of 13 players aged 6 to 8 years old, open the double-elimination tournament Friday against Kailua. It’s the only team from Kauai making the trip. Oahu teams from Kawaihau, Kailua, Kaneohe, Kainalu and Kainalu form the rest of the field for District 1. The tournament runs through Thursday and the winner advances to the state tournament.
“We’re looking pretty good,” Kuhaulua said. “We have three returning players, and a lot of speed. We got speed on our team and we’re going to put pressure.”
Kuhaulua said in addition to being quick and fast, the boys, including AJ Lee, Raimana Huddy, Mason Carvalho, Daymin “Tuki” Souza-Yim and Riley Kuhl are good hitters capable of hitting the long ball.
Huddy, one of the team’s returning players, will anchor the mound with Souza-Yim and Carvalho also available to handle the pitching duties, Kuhaulua said.
“The tournament last year was fun,” said Huddy, one of the five players from the Redwings regular season champion team to make the All-Star team. “It was very exciting when I learned I made the team. This year, I’m not nervous, but I want to win.”
Joining Kuhaulua on the coaching staff are Kaina Matsushima and Kaupena Kaauwai.
Hanohano Kuhaulua, Kelci Kimura-Masada, Tyrus “TJ” Kaauwai, Austin Lee, Tyler Smith, Brock Blackstad, Kamalei Kaauwai and Kaison Matsushima are the other players team.
