LIHU’E — There is no synthetic rubber track on Kaua’i. The money to fund such a venture, in fact, is not currently in sight. The result of such an absence has reared its head at the 21st Annual Kaua’i County
LIHU’E — There is no synthetic rubber track on Kaua’i. The money to fund such a venture, in fact, is not currently in sight.
The result of such an absence has reared its head at the 21st Annual Kaua’i County Invitational track meet. The event, being held March 27-28 at Vidinha Stadium, has drawn its lowest turnout, five teams total, since anyone can remember.
“Maui just put in a rubber track,” said Aaron Uyeda, a Kaua’i County Parks and Recreation Leader. “And the state championships are being held over there this year, so a lot of teams that have been coming to our invitational are going to Maui’s.”
The Yamamoto Invitationals are being held Friday and Saturday, March 30 and 31, at Maui’s War Memorial Stadium.
“I understand the theory,” Uyeda said. “If states is being held there and a team has a chance to compete there during the season, then go for it.
“But we usually get 10 or 12 teams here for our event. I’m sure it’s a little discouraging for the kids.”
That so because this year Kaua’i Interscholastic Federation participants are basically competing against one another, something they have done three times already this season and can look forward to doing three more times. Aiea is the only off-island team at the meet.
“Aiea has been very loyal to us,” Uyeda said. “And for that we are very appreciative.”
Unfortunately, the future may not bode bright for the county meet or other invitationals held at Vidinha Stadium.
Despite Mayor Maryanne Kusaka’s wish for such a rubber track, the $750,000 price tag is a bit of a barrier at this point.
“It’s something we’d really like to do,” said Beth Tokioka, the county’s public information officer. “But at this point there’s really no timeline for the project. There’s no funding source at this point.”
Synthetic rubber track or not, the performances turned in on Wednesday’s first day were solid.
Kaua’i’s Bryson Kalilua and Waimea’s Wesley Manuel each cracked last year’s state qualifying height of 5-feet-10 as they battled for long jump supremacy. Kaliloa emerged from the duel with a victorious clearing of 6-feet.
In the girls’ long jump, Kaua’i’s Ayaka Shibata and Kapa’a’s Sharlene Carillo each cleared 4-6. However, Shibata was named the winner because she eclipsed the height on her second jump; Carillo needed three tries.
Other event finals were held on Tuesday, and their results are listed below. The top six places are good for points toward the team championship. But most of the finals were scheduled for Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium. Those results will run in Friday’s Garden Island.
Tuesday’s Boys’ finals
(last year’s state qualifying mark in parenthesis)
Long Jump (20-3; feet-inches)
Name School Feet
K. Yamamoto Kau 20-2.75
D. Gonzales Kap 19-7.25
Winnie Arios Wai 19-3.75
K. Karratti Wai 10-1.5
Jud McRoberts Kap 19-0
W. Manuel Wai 18-11.75
Nathan Olivar Aiea 18-4
J. Arakaki Kau 17-11.75
Dustin Magliniti Kap 17-7.75
Kai Carvalho Kap 17-6.5
Mark Andres Wai 17-6
Jerrick Fabro Wai 17-2.25
L. Tomacder Kau 16-6.75
Koa Navarro Kau 16-2.5
High Jump (5-10)
Name School Feet
Bryson Kaliloa Kau 6-0
Wesley Manuel Wai 5-10
Cale Forsen Kap 5-8
J. Kashiwabara Kau 5-6
Lionel Tomacder Kau 5-4
Maka Alapai Kap 5-2
Ricky Roderick Kap 5-2
Kris Speegle Kau 5-2
Shot Put (46-0)
Name School Feet
A. Apilado Wai 41-5
T. Keopuhiwa Kau 41-4.5
Kaleb Rosa Wai 41-4
Avida Brown Aiea 41-0
BJ Hardy Wai 40-6
Andrew Magua Aiea 40-0
Isaiah Sarsona Kap 30-1.5
Ryan Delaros Kau 25-9.5
Rob Cabreros Kau 30-10
Keola Karratti Wai 38-11.5
Marcus Punzal Kap 39-5
JR Davis Kap 31-6
Kris Speegle Kap 37-3.5
3000 run (10:05)
Name School Time
David Sato Aiea 10:40
Michael Yi Aiea 11:09
Hanson Hsu Kap 11:14
Seth Marushige Kap 11:17
Scott Matsumura Kau 11:18
Everson Kaui Kau 11:20
Tuesday’s Girls’ finals
(last year’s state qualifying mark in parenthesis)
Long Jump (15-0)
Name School Feet
Jeni Shibata Kau 14-11.5
Lynnsey Ho Aiea 14-8.5
J. Tanhehaleun Aiea 14-6
Trishtan Nakata Wai 14-2.5
Larissa Nebre Kap 13-7.75
Tiana Laranio Kap 13-7
T. Kaluahine Kau 13-4.5
Lahela Laranio Kap 10-8.5
High Jump (4-8)
Name School Feet
Ayaka Shibata Kau 4-6
Sharlene Carillo Kap 4-6
Danielle Hill Kap 4-4
Nani Dinan Kap 4-2
T. Kaluahine Kau 4-2
Tania Tasik Kap 3-10
Shot Put (30-0)
Name School Feet
Ulu Torio Kap 32-9.5
Erin Castillo Wai 31-9.25
Kim Downing Kau 31-5.5
Watasha Rita Kap 25-6.75
Chelsey Ueno Wai 25-1
Alaine Aipolani Wai 23-11
3000 run (12:30)
Name School Time
H. Ham-Young Kap 12:59
Lilinoe DeGray Aiea 13:37
Deidra Spencer Kap 14:20
Chasity Ito Kap 14:24
Kim Albers Kau 18:14
Shelley Furutani Kau 18:40
