Uprising encourages state to re-evaluate options The pendulum continues to swing on the status of the 2001 High School state tournaments. After announcing Tuesday night that state athletic events would be cancelled “because of the travel time during the school
Uprising encourages state to re-evaluate options
The pendulum continues to swing on the status of the 2001 High School state tournaments.
After announcing Tuesday night that state athletic events would be cancelled “because of the travel time during the school instructional day required for competition,” state school superintendent Paul LeMaheiu backed off. It was decided further options would be considered whereby tournaments could be held.
Though still unofficial, it now appears “there will be some sort of state tournament action,” according to Department of Education spokesman Greg Knudson. “What needs to be worked out now is more nuts and bolts than anything else,” he said.
The finagling of dates, times and venues was scheduled to begin Friday afternoon at 12:30 p.m. between LeMaheiu and Hawai’i High School Activities Association executive director Keith Amemiya.
“We’re going to get together and see what we can preserve of these tournaments,” Amemiya said.
Should an agreeable resolution be met, parents, coaches and concerned fans will be the parties to thank.
“I was here last night working on some other stuff when the superintendent made the announcement,” Knudson said. “Soon after, the state tournament became the thing to work on.
“We were flooded with calls and concerns.”
Knudson said the uproar was such that the DOE reacted “as immediately as one could expect.”
Thus came the announcement that the particulars of holding state tournaments in some form would be re-evaluated.
“There are no simple solutions here,” Knudson said. “We’re not going to be able to meet everyone’s needs. With only 30 instructional days remaining, that would be impossible. We’re just going to try and strike a balance.”
Knudson said possibilities already discussed include modifying the state tournament format from double to single elimination. Limiting the number of teams that will qualify has also been suggested.
“We’re going to want to complete the tournaments in as few days as possible,” Knudson said.
Facility availability also will complicate the search for tournament feasibility.
Venues ranging from golf courses to Aloha Stadium are reserved over a year in advance, according to Amemiya. Maneuvering those dates can be difficult.
That, coupled with the state’s position that a minimum number of days be missed for extra-curricular activity, could render restructuring a difficult task. Among the HHSAA’s already amended spring tournament dates, roughly 90 percent of games are scheduled for weekdays.
“There are many concerns,” Knudson said. “And no simple solutions.”
Regardless of what agreement is reached between the state and the HHSAA, Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation executive secretary Brent Mizutani was happy that tournaments appear to be back on track.
“As long as we get some form of state tournament then that’s great news,” he said. “It benefits the students. It’s a shame about the strike, but it will be nice if they at least have a chance to compete as states.”
Mizutoni also laid out tentative KIF schedules that won’t become official until state tournament dates have been resolved. Suffice it to say, Mizutoni met Tuesday with the athletic directors of Waimea, Kapa’a and Kaua’i and plans are in place for the return of high school sports.
Sports editor Jason Gallic at 245-3681 or mailto:kauaisports@pulitzer.net
