To further success on national stage, Kaua‘i cheer looks to younger kids

For the first time, the Kaua‘i Police Activities League is searching out the best cheerleaders on the island.

“This is exciting,” said Ann Ozaki, a cheer coach for the Lihu‘e Pop Warner Association tackle football program. “We’re going to be hosting an all-star cheer tryouts. This is the first time, K-PAL will be doing this.”

K-PAL will be hosting the cheer all-star tryouts for budding, aspiring or accomplished cheerleaders between the ages of 5 and 19 at the Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle School at 5 p.m. on July 20.

Ozaki said the younger pepsters will be performing first in the search for “the best of the best.”

Routines will include tumbling, dancing and stunting — a departure from the traditional cheering seen at athletic activities.

Kaua‘i Pop Warner cheerleaders have fared well in the past at national competitions in Florida. According to a Pop Warner Web site, the Lihu‘e Patriots finished 11th in the Pee Wee Novice Small Division at the 2005 championships and the Kapa‘a Eagles came in 13th in the 2004 championships for the Pee Wee Intermediate Small Division.

In that same year, the Hanapepe Colts finished sixth in the Midget Novice Small division with the Kekaha Chargers also taking sixth in the Midget Intermediate Small level.

All lofty achievements for a sport that has an estimated 160,000 participants nationwide.

And now Ozaki is providing another avenue for younger cheerleaders to develop their skills at an earlier age, while older cheerleaders already in the tackle football program get to work with them, imparting knowledge, advice and skills.

It’s a combination that should, if history is any indicator, mean more success on the national stage.

For more information, contact Ozaki at 652-7000.

• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.