HILO — Like in baseball, Honoka‘a and Waiakea were also crowned champs in softball.
The Dragons and Warriors wrapped up dominant conference seasons last week in the BIIF Division I and II Softball Championships at the Walter Victor Baseball Complex. Both teams will represent the island as the BIIF’s top seed in this week’s HHSAA DataHouse Softball State Championships on Oahu and Maui.
In the DII title game, Honoka‘a routed Kamehameha-91直播 24-9 to clinch the island crown and finish the season 7-2. The Warriors also finished the island season 7-2.
“Going into this championship game, they had the mindset of giving it their all,” Dragons head coach Kaui Kanekoa told the paper postgame. “And they definitely showed out, which is all you can ask for in the end.
“It felt really good to get this title after years of trying and falling short.”
Honoka‘a has had quite the turnaround in 2026, as the Dragons won just three games a year ago. But this season, the green and gold elevated from internal growth and some key additions, including Emalia Emmsley, who was previously a slugger for Kealakehe — helping the Waveriders win a BIIF DI championship in 2024.
Emmsley now attends Kanu o ka ‘Aina in Waimea, but was allowed to join the Dragons this season. The senior has been a strong addition to not just Honoka‘a’s high-scoring offense, but in the revamped pitching rotation in the circle, too. Emmsley pitched 2.6 innings against KSH, striking out three batters.
“(Emmsley) has been a strong addition, especially on the pitching end,” Kanekoa said. “Last year we only had about two pitching options — this year, we have four of them.”
Another ace in the Dragons’ rotation is senior Kayliah Kauahi, who earned the win in the circle against the Warriors after striking out four over 4.3 innings.
“(Kauahi) has been our starting pitcher for most of our games,” Kanekoa explained. “And she’s made huge strides since her sophomore year. She wasn’t as focused on pitching when she first started with us, but when we started to meet more, that’s when she started buckling down and working more on her pitches.
“She’s been amazing for us. It’s hard for me to pull her from games because she always wants to finish it.”
Kauahi has also been a key part of the Dragons lineup, as she notched a double and triple in Wednesday’s championship. But the No. 1 star at the plate was Keira Agdeppa, who logged five hits and five RBI — including two triples and a homer. Emmsley joined Agdeppa, launching a home run of her own to go along with her four hits.
In total, the winners logged 23 hits.
Kanai Tolentino, another Kanu student that plays for the Dragons, added a triple against KSH. Tolentino has been another senior that Kanekoa has enjoyed watching from the dugout this season.
“(Tolentino) has been a rock star for us ever since she started with us her freshman year,” Kanekoa said. “She’s also developed into a leader and helps keep our girls in line. She’s been a great voice to all of them, and a great role model — since she’s been playing the game for a while now.”
Across the season, Honoka‘a has scored 168 runs, including scoring 20 or more six times. Kanekoa pointed to the girls’ consistency of honing in on the craft during the offseason, noting that many of them treat the sport as a year-round commitment.
“These girls practice really hard,” Kanekoa said. “Some of our girls do training outside of the regular season to prepare themselves. Their offseason coaches do a great job of freshening up their skills.
“It’s really a community and village that supports these girls — I’m just here to help it come together.”
The Dragons were awarded the No. 2 seed in this week’s HHSAA DII tournament, first set to take on the winner of Kalaheo vs. Waipahu at 2 p.m. Thursday at Maui High School. Honoka‘a earned a first-round bye due to its high-seed placement.
Despite the pressure of it being win or go home, the Dragons are approaching the state tournament like they would for any other game.
“We’re reminding the girls to have strong and clear minds, and to just play their game,” Kanekoa said. “Because they play their best when they’re having fun and being themselves. We’re going into the tournament with that mentality.
“It’s all about making minimal errors and keeping a positive attitude.”
KSH collected just eight total hits — two each from Kaililia Thompson-Ua and Kaila Garrett and one each from Layla Masaoka, Alaula Awong, Caroline Newman and Kairie Owens-Zulueta.
Masaoka and Kylie Kagimoto each pitched in the circle for the Warriors.
KSH’s season is still alive, however — as the Warriors will play Kauai at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in the first round. The game will also be played at Maui High.
In the BIIF Division I championship on Thursday, Waiakea was crowned champion after a 14-4 beatdown of Hilo to finish the conference season a perfect 11-0.
With the win, Waiakea will be the No. 4 seed in the HHSAA DI tournament and earned a first-round bye.
The Warriors’ BIIF title came in an avenging way, as they fell to the Vikings in last year’s championship. This time around, it was only fitting to return the favor.
“It was awesome to get back (to this stage) and win this time,” Waiakea head coach Todd Spencer said. “The girls executed well in all aspects of the game. Some errors here and there, but overall, it was a complete game from them.”
Spencer’s daughter, Meghan Spencer, was the winning pitcher in the circle for the Warriors — striking out six batters while allowing just two hits across 3.6 innings. Spencer leads the team in innings pitched (34.6), wins (7) and strikeouts (37).
Todd Spencer added that it has been a joy to witness his daughter’s growth throughout the year — pointing to her senior leadership among the younger girls on the team.
“(Meghan Spencer) has taken big steps in mentoring the underclassmen, which has been awesome,” Todd Spencer said. “Overall, the seniors have stepped up big this year in terms of their leadership.”
Across Waiakea’s undefeated season, the Warriors have out-scored opponents 183-31 — scoring 10-or-more runs 10 times. While their offense stands out the most, Spencer believes their defensive ability flies under the radar, as Waiakea hasn’t allowed a single opponent to score more than eight runs.
“I believe pitching and hitting are both of our strengths, but our defense is not to be taken lightly,” Spencer said.
Spencer also acknowledged Keani Kaneshiro for her leadership, who finished the day with two hits and two RBI, including a double. The shortstop leads her team in hits (23), runs (27) and doubles (3).
Teammate Jessie Garza added three hits, while Kaelyn Sewake added two. In total, the Warriors logged 14 hits.
Waiakea will play the winner of Kapaa vs. Kapolei, set to take the diamond 2 p.m. Wednesday at McKinley High School.
The Warriors are eager to represent the island as the BIIF’s top seed.
“As long as we play together and minimize mistakes, we should do great,” Spencer said.
Kaylie Caceres and Dashley Arurang had one hit each to lead the Vikings. Vaiqueen Porter and Jacobi Alba-Kuwahara pitched in the circle.
Hilo finished the island season 6-4-1, and will also play in the state tournament. The Vikings will face Pearl City in Tuesday’s first round at 2 p.m. at McKinley High School.
Vikings baseball earns tourney spot
Hilo baseball earned a spot in the HHSAA DI tournament after a 3-1 state play-in win over Mid-Pacific on Saturday at Waiakea High.
The 9-5 Vikings were led by Liam Villanueva, who logged three hits. Teammate Kainui Keopuhiwa logged two. Cole Hatayama, Tyson Santiago, Richard Wells Jr., Hunter Pangelinan and Braden Oda rounded out the remainder of Hilo’s 10 hits with one apiece.
Santiago and Keopuhiwa pitched on the mound for Hilo.
The Vikings will match up with King Kekaulike in the first round at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday on Oahu.
On the Owls’ side, Brayden Shizuru led with three hits, while Ezekiel Asato, Laakea Inglis and Kylan Chun logged one each.
On the mound, Mid-Pacific was led by Carter Agan, Oliver Isagawa and Kaisa Pat-Borja split pitches. The Owls’ season ended at 8-5-2.
