Papa A‘u wins in weather
NAWILIWILI — Papa A‘u survived not only the challenge of the five-boat field, but also the heavy rain and “fluky” wind to capture the fourth race of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club Invitational Series, Thursday.
Vonda and Willie take Akiyama crown
LIHUE — Vonda Aki teamed with Willie Aki to win the Second Annual Vance Akiyama Memorial Tournament, Saturday at the Kauai Bowl Center in the Rice Shopping Center.
More than 600 run in 39th Haena to Hanalei Run
HANALEI — Hanalei Canoe Club hosted the 39th annual Haena to Hanalei Run on Saturday.
Approximately 635 runners crossed the finish line Saturday nearby the Hanalei Pier. Afterwards, runners and supporters gathered at the Hanalei Canoe Club hale for a pancake breakfast.
Vierra, Apeles-Erickson capture world title
HONOLULU — Kauai tandem surfing team of Kalani Vierra and Krystl Apeles-Erickson captured the 2019 Pakaloha Bikinis Tandem Surfing World Championships, Friday during the meet that was held at Kuhio Beach, Waikiki.
Jacob Grossmann accepted into Houston Dynamo youth academy
Budding soccer player Jacob Grossmann aims to one day play in the pros. He will soon take a big step toward making that dream a reality.
Grossmann, 13, was accepted into the youth academy of Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo in Houston, Texas.
Never Forget Sandy G golf tournament Aug. 4
LIHUE — The YWCA of Kauai will host the 12th annual “Never Forget Sandy G” golf tournament Aug. 4 at The Ocean Course at Hokuala.
The event aims to raise awareness about domestic violence.
US teams representing as Fourth of July nears
Since the Fourth of July is near, I figured it’s a good time to write about what the holiday means to me — pride in one’s country. Despite some of the country’s faults, I’m proud to be American. And it goes beyond just wearing red, white and blue and firing up the barbecue.
Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge set for next month
HANALEI — Namolokama O‘Hanalei Canoe Club will host its annual Hanalei Bay Swim Challenge on July 27.
The swimming challenge this year will be its 12th running. The club’s annual fundraiser was canceled last year; flooding in mid-April 2018 damaged the area.
Hole-in-one at Wailua
WAILUA — Dr. Floyd Pohlman of Wailua Homesteads made a hole-in-one at the Wailua Golf Course on June 18.
Kauai’s Grossmann, Shiroma play in regional tourney
Albion SC Hawaii, a youth soccer club based on Maui, participated in the 2019 US Youth Soccer Far West Regional Championships on June 17 through 23 in Boise, Idaho.
Kauai players Jacob Grossmann and Kauli‘a Shiroma played for Albion SC Hawaii at the regional tournament. Shiroma is from Kapaa, and Grossmann is from Kekaha.
Haena to Hanalei run this weekend
HANALEI — Hanalei Canoe Club will host its annual Haena to Hanalei run Saturday on Kauai’s North Shore.
The races were canceled last year after the flooding in mid-April 2018 damaged the area.
A’s stun Hana Hou; Rookies, Gents, Rebels roll
HANAPEPE — The Kauai Senior Softball league packed as much as action as possible into an eight-game marathon. The Rookies trimmed the Wally Sonoda Softball Park in Kaumakani for four games while Hana Hou set up a four-game series at the Hanapepe Stadium softball diamond.
Hawaii 8 season set for January
LIHUE — Kauai college students will have an opportunity to continue in organized and competitive athletics while pursuing their college education on the Garden Island.
“You just need to be enrolled in college,” said Stacy Iwasaki, head coach of the Kauai team representing the Hawaii 8 ClubCollege Football conference. “Part time student status is alright — you just need to be enrolled in a college. This is a junior college level program which make part time students eligible.”
Kauai Hoe Wa‘a gets Enterprise help
LIHUE — Dana Miyake of the Kauai Hoe Wa‘a said the $1,000 award from the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, doing business as Alamo, National, and Enterprise rent a car, Monday was like winning the publisher’s clearinghouse.
Former Rainbow Wahine player leads clinic
PUHI — Former University of Hawaii women’s volleyball player McKenna Granato headed a clinic for Island School’s girls volleyball team.
The former Rainbow Wahine outside hitter led a group of 14 players Saturday morning at the Wilcox Gymnasium on the Island School campus in Puhi.
Puuwai Canoe Club hosts Buddy Peters long distance race
WAILUA — Twenty teams from local paddling clubs competed in this year’s Buddy Peters Long Distance canoe race Saturday.
Crews started in the water off Wailua Beach Park, paddled their way to past Hanamaulu Bay nearby the Lihue Airport and then back to Wailua Beach Park. The course was about 8 1/2 miles long.
Kawaihau clinches 3rd straight Little League Hawaii district title
KAPAA — Local youth baseball club Kawaihau Little League recently won its third straight district championship and will defend the state title it won last year.
However, this is a new team that will be headed back to states this year, said head coach Kaupena Kaauwai.
Congrats and good luck to recent grads prepping for big changes
I recently ran into Kauai High School graduate Iwi Rivera at the Kauai Athletic Club in Lihue.
(Yes, I know. My gut may suggest otherwise, but I’m doing my best to be somewhat active and healthier. And you know what else? Despite the general consensus of the physical fitness community, I know that I have the look of a champion. #AndyRuiz)
Casera Silva is top rodeo rookie
POIPU — Casera Silva, a ninth grade rodeo participant, finished the Hawaii High School Rodeo Association State Finals that wrapped up last weekend by winning a good share of honors at Parker Ranch on the Big Island.
Freediver Elijah Aasand talks competing, briefly holding a national record
LAWAI — Kalaheo native and snorkeling tour guide Elijah Aasand, at least for a little while, held a national freediving record.
Recently, his friend and freediving mentor Kurt Chambers surpassed Aasand to claim the record. But, he is in good spirits about it.