The following is a list of local sports briefs.
‘Riders, Ka Makani water polo fall at states
Kealakehe and HPA water polo’s seasons came to an end Monday after both teams fell in the opening round of the HHSAA playoffs.
The Waveriders fell 7-6 to Roosevelt at Kona Community Aquatic Center. Naomi Nikolai led Kealakehe with a hat trick, while Hannah White added two goals. Isla Strickland also added a goal.
On Roosevelt’s side, Kanoe Wong led the winners with three goals, while teammate Maile Kumabe added two. Ava Asari and Dharyana Labuguen each scored one for the Rough Riders.
Roosevelt will move on to face No. 1 Punahou in Thursday’s quarterfinals on Oahu.
The ‘Riders’ season ended at 6-5 overall, including a second-place finish in the BIIF.
The BIIF’s third-place finisher, Ka Makani, lost a close 9-8 match to Kahuku at Kamehameha-Kapalama’s pool. Reece Lustik led HPA with three goals, while Keira Brewer and Rosey Wawner each scored two. Gavyn Hudson also added a goal.
Red Raider Jaedon Harris led all players in the pool with four goals, while running mate Tiana Campana added two. Teammates Savannah Porter, Eloise Sweetman and Eden Smith each scored one goal.
Like Kealakehe, HPA’s season ended at 6-5.
Fourth-seeded Hilo High remains the only Big Island team still alive in the tournament. The Vikings are set to face KSK on Thursday on Oahu.
Tonight’s BIIF flag finals set
The stage is officially set for tonight’s BIIF flag football championships at Honoka‘a High.
During Monday’s DI semifinal, Konawaena (as usual) made quick, dominant work of their opposition — routing Waiakea 61-to punch its ticket to tonight’s game. The win marked the second time this season that the Wildcats have scored 60-or-more points.
Since the program was founded in 2025, Kona has yet to lose a game against Big Island competition. Currently at 12-0, the Wildcats will attempt to complete their second consecutive unbeaten conference season against Hilo, who beat Kealakehe 32-21 in the other Monday semifinal.
In the two games the Wildcats and Vikings have faced each other, Kona has out-scored Hilo 88-0.
The Division-II semis took place Saturday, with HPA trouncing Kanu o Ka ‘Aina 40-14 at home. Like Konawaena, Ka Makani is also undefeated this season (11-0). The red and white average over 32 points per game while allowing 6.7.
Honoka‘a earned the other spot in the DII championship, beating KSH 19-13 in Saturday’s semis. The Dragons are 7-3 this season, averaging nearly 26 points per game.
When HPA and Honoka‘a last met on April 14, Ka Makani won a close 13-12 game.
See the paper Friday for championship coverage.
Nakagawa sinks Hole in 1
2026 BIIF girls golf champion and HPA sophomore Khloe Nakagawa is off to a blistering start at the HHSAA girls golf championship on Oahu.
Nakagawa sank a Hole in 1 on the final green of Round 1, securing her back-nine score of 36. She carded 75 (+3) for the round, currently sitting in a BIIF-leading eighth place.
In the team competition, Waiakea currently sits in eighth place with a team score of 256 (+40). Hilo is right behind the Warriors in ninth with a score of 270 (+54).
See the paper later this week for more coverage.
Vikings fall to Chargers
Hilo High softball’s season came to an end Tuesday after being shut out by Pearl City 14-0 in the opening round of the HHSAA DI tournament at McKinley High School. The Vikings finished the season with a 6-5-1 record and second in the conference.
Hilo was shut out completely in the game, logging no hits and committing four errors. Vaiqueen Porter pitched in the circle.
The Chargers finished with 11 hits, led by Skyler Nakasone and Lilyanni Mata with two each. Haley Shinjo was named the game’s winning pitcher.
Pearl City will move on to face second-seeded Campbell in today’s quarterfinals.
