LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation made an adjustment to its current athletic-department plans based on the recent state Department of Education announcement on high-school athletes returning to workouts.
“The KIF is in the ‘white’ as related to the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association guidance for the near future,” said Kaua‘i Complex Area Superintendent Paul Zina in the March 10 announcement. “This means coaches may contact and work out with the athletes through community youth sports organizations outside the Hawai‘i Department of Education and HHSAA. We will continue this through the fourth quarter of this school year.”
The current Kaua‘i COVID-19 numbers have the island in Tier 4, with less than two cases, or less than 1%, seven-day rolling averages for total new cases and test positivity percentage.
According to the DOE March 5, this puts Kaua‘i in the Phase 4 tier that allows team workouts and practices for all sports, with contact and equipment allowed.
The athletic activity follows the current standard health and safety procedures as well as additional guidelines:
• Social distancing and mask wearing guidelines must be followed at all times;
• Pre-workout/practice screenings must take place;
• Gathering limitations must be in accordance with state and county orders;
• Adequate cleaning schedules of facilities should be created and implemented for all athletic facilities to mitigate any communicable diseases;
• Equipment should be wiped down thoroughly before and after use;
• All student athletes must bring their own water bottles; no hydration stations.
“We are grateful to be out of the ‘red’ HHSAA guidance, and for the HIDOE’s support of athletes and coaches working together again in the community,” Zina said. “We encourage families to engage with appropriate community youth sports organizations through the spring season, but there will be no official Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation activities. Kaua‘i schools are doing everything we can to prepare for continued increases in athletic activity.
“One step we are taking is that we will begin workouts for KIF fall sports starting Monday, June 14, 2021. Schools will communicate their specific plans for those workouts through their athletic departments and school offices. We will communicate future plans for any other athletic activity when they become available.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
