LIHUE — Sometimes before going to where you’re headed, one stops to reflect on where they’ve been.
For Kapaa High School senior Ka’imi Malina and Kauai High School senior Justice Funamura-Sasil, those beginnings were on the field where they played in their youth in Lihue.
On Thursday, it’s where they announced where their futures are headed.
“This is where everything started,” Malina said Thursday on his childhood home field. “I felt comfortable doing it here. This is where everything started from 5 years old growing up to now. I felt really comfortable with the family here, and coming here where it started.”
Malina and Funamura-Sasil both signed their letters of intent at Lihue County Park. About 30 family members, friends and supports attended.
Malina received a max scholarship and will play baseball at Edmonds Community College in Lynnwood, Wash., which plays in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC).
“I feel good knowing the hard work actually paid off,” Malina said. “I’m finally going somewhere that I know will help me in my future.”
Funamura-Sasil also received a max scholarship and will play softball at Highline College, a community college in Des Moines, Wash.
“It’s truly an honor. It’s an amazing feeling,” Funamura-Sasil said. “I finally have this weight off of my shoulders. I can finally breath easy in saying that all of my hard work really did pay off.”
Funamura-Sasil added about having the signing at the park where she played as a kid: “It makes me reminisce. Especially today, you’re seeing these kids practice, it makes you realize we’ve come a long way.”
Malina is an infielder and pitcher for Kapaa High School.
Malina’s decision came down to two schools — Edmonds CC and Southwestern Oregon Community College in Coos Bay, Ore.
“It was a hard decision. It was a hard time going through it, choosing and talking it over with the family,” Malina said. “But I felt Edmonds would help me with my future, so I chose Edmonds today.”
He added: “Both schools made really good offers. They’re both really good schools, really good baseball programs and really good educations. I felt like Edmonds was the perfect fit me knowing they would help me out with my future with baseball. They’re a really good program with sending kids out.”
Former Kapaa High teammate Leighton Moniz right now is in his second year at Edmonds CC. Moniz plays infielder for the Tritons.
“He’s helped me out, too, with this decision,” Malina said of Moniz. “He’s out there killing it, so might as well be out there and do what he did. … He’ll actually be gone when I get up there. This is his last year, but hopefully he goes out with a bang and goes somewhere further.”
Highline College also plays in the NWAC.
Funamura-Sasil said a she was considering a handful of schools but chose to be a Highline Thunderbird after a recent visit to the school.
“Just like Ka’imi, the bid went on. I had a hard time choosing schools,” she said. “Honestly, without the help of everyone and their support, I wouldn’t have been able to make a decision until today.
“The reason I chose Highline was because the program and the campus is amazing. I feel like I can get places with them, and the coach just has open arms. He embraces the fact that, ‘You’re from Hawaii, and I know you’re going to miss home a lot. I’m just going to give you this home feeling.’ I really did feel like at home at that first day.”
Funamura-Sasil, who plays infielder, outfielder and catcher for Kauai High School, added Higline isn’t too far from Edmonds.
“It’s actually 50 miles. We’re close. It’s not that far. We’re actually rival schools now, but it’s OK,” she said. “At least the Hawaii kids are getting out there. Especially coming from a small island like here, it’s a really big deal.”
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
