HONOLULU — Kapa‘a High School senior Solomone Malafu was the sole Kaua‘i representative to be named to the 2023 Hawai‘i High School Hall of Honor class that was released on Monday.
Malafu, who grabbed the media spotlight during the 2021 football season when Kapa‘a High School downed Kamehameha Schools-Maui to grab the HHSAA Division II title, recently committed to UCLA football during the Early Signing Day period.
Malafu was recognized for his contributions to football, basketball, and volleyball.
Other state student-athletes making the Hall of Honor Class include Milan Ah Yat of University High/PAC5, Leonard Ah You of Kahuku, Elijah Dinkel of Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i, Brock Fonoimoana of Kahuku, Taryn Irimataa of Campbell High School, Liona Lefau of Kahuku, Tatum Moku of Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama, Keala Montgomery of Lana‘i High School, Raya Nakao of Punahou School, Zola O’Donnell of Mililani High School, and Marley Roe of Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama.
Each of the inductees will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship. The scholarships are courtesy of the HHSAA and Enterprise Holdings, which owns and operates the Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, and Alamo Rent-A-Car brands.
Additionally, coming off the COVID pandemic, the 12 inductees will be honored at a banquet scheduled for June 4 at Ala Moana Hotel in Honolulu that starts at 5 p.m. Details on ticket information will be announced, shortly.
The dozen outstanding senior student-athletes were chosen by an 11-person committee of current and former sports reporters, athletic directors, and coaches from around the state. Criteria is based mainly on athletic achievement, but character, sportsmanship, academic record, and community service are also taken into consideration.
The Hall of Honor program has been recognizing the top 12 Hawai‘i senior student athletes each year since 1983.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
