KAPA‘A — The Kawaihau Little League Major All-Stars, comprised of youth to 12 years old, will leave Friday to participate in the Little League District 1 Tournament on O‘ahu.
“We leave Friday, and play our first game at the Kane‘ohe field against Kailua,” said Coach Richie Rapozo. “The tournament runs through Tuesday, and the winner advances to the state tournament that will be held on Maui.”
The team was assembled following a 12-week schedule between four teams — the Pirates, Padres, Dodgers and Athletics — with practice for the District Tournament starting last Thursday. The routine was broken up Saturday when the group hosted a fundraising car wash at the All Saints Episcopal Church.
A team mom said this is a good team, and should do well at the tournament, where there is a possibility of getting to the Little League World Series that is tentatively scheduled to play Aug. 19 through 29 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Victory at the district tournament moves the team to the state tournament, and a victory there advances the team to the West region tournament, where a victory moves them to the World Series.
“Remember when you came to Lihu‘e Airport to get photos of them?” the team mom asked. “They were only 10 years old, and that was as far as they could advance. These are the same boys — just grown up.”
Rapozo said the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on league play. “We don’t know what the COVID-19 did to the other teams,” Rapozo said. “But we’ll be ready for whatever happens. These boys are back-to-back champions, so they know they have to be ready.”
Despite the short period of time between regular-season play and the district tournament, Coach Dustin Mundon said the boys will be ready.
“They’re going in ready to play,” Mundon said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
Did they get the vaccine shots already? If they get a sick, it’s Aloha. Delta variant is really contagious. Did you visit a clinic?