Kapaa High School alumnus Rashaan “Turtle” Kuhaulua enjoyed four years varsity baseball at his alma mater — a career in which he and his fellow Warriors won the Kauai Interscholastic Federation title during his junior year. Kuhaulua was on the mound
Kapaa High School alumnus Rashaan “Turtle” Kuhaulua enjoyed four years varsity baseball at his alma mater — a career in which he and his fellow Warriors won the Kauai Interscholastic Federation title during his junior year.
Kuhaulua was on the mound for that championship game two years ago against Waimea, when he struck out 12 and went the distance.
“It was actually probably one the best feelings of my life right there. Played my whole high school career for that moment. It was awesome,” the former Warrior said about winning that league title. “We were kind of the underdogs the whole first half of that season as well. We lost every game, just like how we did this year. Then we kind of came back in the second round, beat everybody and found our way to the championship game.”
Kapaa found its way back to the title game this past season, but fell short to Kauai High.
Kuhaulua now looks forward to what’s in store for him in California. This fall, he will attend classes at San Jose State University, where he will extend his baseball career.
“We’re all just really happy that it happened,” he said about getting the scholarship offer. “We weren’t expecting it to be this good of an experience. It was pretty awesome.”
Kapaa High baseball head coach Bryan Aiwohi said he’ll miss Kuhaulua’s skills and leadership.
“He can come in and win any game,” Aiwohi said. “He’s baseball smart … He has the determination to be the best. That’s hard to teach.”
SJSU baseball head coach Dave Nakama visited Kauai this past winter to work out Kuhaulua.
“I think he’s a good athlete and I think he has a chance to be a two-way guy,” Nakama said. In addition to pitching, Kuhaulua could see time at shortstop as well.
Nakama said he will be playing a lot of young players this season and Kuhaulua has a “good chance” of making an impression early.
“The attractive thing is that he’s a good teammate. That’s important,” the university coach said.
While enjoying his summer vacation, Kuhaulua is also preparing for college ball. He’s been working out with his older brother and Kapaa High assistant coach Ashkhon Kuhaulua.
“To start as a freshman is going to be tough. He’s going to have to put in the work,” Ashkhon said about his younger brother.
Ashkhon said he’s coached Kuhaulua since he was 10 years old, from Little League to Ponys to high school. His little brother, he said, listens and works hard.
“We’re super-pumped for Turtle. It’s been a lot of years of work. We’re all happy and he deserves it … The first game he throws, I’m going to be there,” he added.
Kuhaulua, however, is still mindful of his throwing arm. During this past season, he’s played with a strained tendon in his elbow.
“I never really got to let it heal, so it always kind of hurt through the whole season,” he said. “I kind of just dealt with it because I was basically just sick of losing. I didn’t want to lose anymore so I kind of just dealt with it for the team. Tried to at least get us to that championship game. It hurt, but it was worth it.”
Kuhaulua added he’s been doing therapy and the arm feels much better.
Nakama said he is concerned about Kuhaulua’s arm, but is certain he will be a productive player.
“I try to call him at least once a week and ask him how is arm is,” Nakama said. “Yeah it’s a concern, but if he’s healthy, he’s a heck of a player. Hopefully, he’ll be healthy when he comes in the fall.”
When it comes to leaving Kauai, Kuhaulua said he’s sure he can handle things when the time comes.
“Not really nervous right now, but I know when I finally start to (prepare to) leave I’m going to get a little nervous,” he said. “I’m definitely a momma’s boy. It’s definitely going to be really hard.”
As for his nickname, his family gave it to him after a scary moment at the beach when he was a toddler.
“I followed my brother to the water and he wasn’t watching me. He didn’t know I was following him,” Kuhaulua said. “My parents were wondering where I was and they went to go look for me. When they found me, I was floating on top of the water. They thought I was on top of a rock. So my dad sprinted over and tried to pick me up. He picked me up on top of a turtle’s back. That’s basically how I got my nickname.”
“I though my sister was watching him … All I hear is my sister screaming,” Ashkhon said. “It was super scary. I’m holding my Capri Sun and don’t know what’s going on … Somehow he starts coughing and he comes to … Ever since then, we call him Turtle.”
