Acosta rules as Menehune homecoming queen

HANAPEPE — Excitement greeted Waimea High School Homecoming Queen Natasha Acosta Friday night at Hanapepe Stadium.

Menehune spirit was ignited, as an untimed down saw Kenny Estes pull Waimea to within a point, 14-13, against Kaua’i High, as roughing-the-passer and offsides penalties brought the ball to within field-goal range.

Kaua’i High prevailed, taking the Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation championship for the third straight year.

Acosta’s supporting cast included Jenna Nakamatsu as Miss Victory, Marissa Fountain as Miss Football, Heather Ragragola as Miss Menehune, and Diandra Malama as Miss School Spirit.

Chelsie-Jean Fernandez represented the Class of 2006, with Jamie Horikawa having the honor of riding atop the Class of 2007 float. Dayna Cacal represented the Class of 2008, and Kierra Barba topped the Class of 2009 unit.

The girls’ escorts, all suited up and playing on the field, included KC Kaiakapu, John Henriques, Nelson Keller, Cyril Botelho, Kenny Estes, Alan-Michael Gaspar, Mackey Dela Cruz, Blayne Vea, Kahi R., Anson Acain, Julio Flores, Markis Carveiro, Oni Schmidt.