Another exciting season of 91直播 high school boys golf wrapped up Wednesday at the challenging Kaneohe Klipper Golf Course on Oahu.
Eighteen boys from the Big Island competed in the prestigious two-round tournament, including St. Joseph’s freshman phenom Leo Saito — who placed third overall in the individual competition with a total gross score of 150 (+6). Saito was the top BIIF finisher.
Saito shot 74 (+2) during Tuesday’s Round 1 and 76 (+4) in Wednesday’s blustery final round. He secured five total birdies to seal his podium placement.
Saito, who also won the BIIF individual championship last month, got better as the season went on. The youngster won the final three matches of the island season, improving his season average score to 72.4. His front and back-nine averages were nearly identical, attesting to his consistency throughout the two-month-long season. Out of the 216 holes he played this season, Saito birdied over 22% of them.
Saito told the Star-Advertiser that one of the main reasons he attends SJS is because the school allows him to travel to golf tournaments.
“I travel around 30 days a year,” he said. “The key on every course is stick to your game plan.”
Jake Otani was the next-best Big Island finisher, tying for fifth overall after shooting 6-over par in Round 1. The Waiakea star bounced back in a big way Wednesday — shooting 73 in the final round, including an eagle on Hole 3. The senior’s services helped the Warriors place second in the team competition (+63). In 2025, Waiakea placed third.
Otani, a two-time state champion, placed in the top three six times throughout his final season — including two individual wins.
Kealakehe, which placed third, was spearheaded by star Malakai Akeo, who finished 10th overall after shooting 10-over par through both rounds (154). Akeo had an impressive first round, where he eagled Hole 7, secured three birdies and parred eight holes to finish the day with a 73 (+1).
Akeo began golfing at age 13, and has quickly climbed through the ranks of 91直播 junior golf over the last few years.
“I’m just happy that all the practice is paying off. Kona Country Club is bermuda cut grass, so it’s similar,” Akeo told the Star-Advertiser. “The greens (at Kaneohe Klipper) run really nice. We always practice our wind shots. We have Mauna Lani (Golf Resort) for the wind shots.”
Thanks to Akeo’s superstardom on Oahu, the ‘Riders were able to finish in the top three at states for the second straight year. Much of their recent success can be credited to coach Justin Lee.
“I’m thankful for all that he’s done for me,” Akeo said of Lee. “He started our junior golf program five years ago. No support, just built it up.
“His biggest thing is be a good person before you’re a good golfer. Show up (at) the course, take off your hat, shake their hands. Ask what their name is, clean up.”
Akeo’s teammate, freshman Ace Akuna, tied for 18th after finishing 14-over par (158). After shooting 81 in Round 1, Akuna bounced back over the final 18 — parring 11 holes to finish the day 5-over par (77).
Waiakea’s Skyler Miyashiro (+14), Kealakehe’s Noah Okazaki (+16), Waiakea’s Noah Miyazono (+19), Hilo’s Iakona Manuia (+21) and Waiakea’s Olin Sakamoto (+23) rounded out the remainder of BIIF golfers that placed in the top 50.
The overall individual state champion was Punahou’s Bret Kiyuna, who finished 3-over par (147). Kalaheo’s Quade Martinez placed second (+5).
Punahou was named the team state champion winning by over 20 strokes (+42).
Team rankings
1. Punahou +42
2. Waiakea +63
3. Kealakehe +65
T4. Kauai +82
T4. Mililani +82
6. Moanalua +87
7. Kahuku +94
8. Baldwin +115
9. Roosevelt +134
