LIHU‘E — The Kawaihau 10Under All-Star Team, also called the Minors All-Stars, will be participating in the Hawai‘i Little League Minors Division State Championship games from July 27 through July 31 on O‘ahu.
The return trip to the state championship will be to defend its title earned during the 2023 season.
According to Little League rules, the 8- to 10-year old, and 9- to 11-year old tournaments culminate at the state level, meaning this is the highest level the Minors players can attain.
The Kawaihau Minors All-Stars are asking for support to help them get to the state tournament. For people interested in contributing, checks can be made payable to the Kawaihau Community Little League, Attention: 2024 All-Star Minors Team, P.O.Box 533, Kapa‘a, Hawai‘i 96746.
All of the donations will be used to assist in covering the team’s travel expenses, including airfare, hotel accommodations, meals, transportation, tournament fees and uniforms.
To get to the state level tournament, the Kawaihau Minors All-Stars won the District 1 tournament with an 18-0 win over the Kainalu All-Stars that was ranked No. 1 going into the district tournament at Aikahi Park on O‘ahu.
Kawaihau drew the No. 5 seed of the five-team district field hosted by the Kaneohe Little League, and took their first four games with 19-0, 23-14 and 6-1 before meeting Kainalu in the title match.
According to team grandpa Philip Eliana, the title match was a rematch of Kawaihau’s second contest, where the players from Kapa‘a outlasted Kainalu in three hours with a 23-14 win.
Overall, the Kawaihau Minors All Stars allowed a total of 15 runs through the District 1 tournament and scored 66 runs.
The Minors All-Stars include Po‘okela Levinthol, Maika‘i Cremer, Elijah Machado, Ka‘ano‘i Rita, Kaikea Saiki, Tryndee Paik, Gavin Ho, Waika Doctolero, Kamanakai Wong, Bubba Kuhaulua, Tayten Punzal and Josiah Keale.
Team coaches are Abe Kuhaulua, Jet Levinthol, Kaipo Keale and Turtle Kuhaulua.
