LIHU‘E — The Kawaihau Majors All Stars are a step closer to the Little League World Series, and were congratulated in-person by county Managing Director Michael Dahilig, representing Mayor Derek Kawakami and members of the Kaua‘i County Council, Wednesday at the Mo‘ikeha Building of the Lihu‘e Civic Center.
“The boys are bonding nicely,” said Kawaihau Majors All Stars coach John Melchor. “Our pitching held up, and all the boys hit. Our base-running was very good, and considering how short a period of time the boys have been playing together, they’re bonding very well. They’re now playing for each other.”
The Kawaihau Majors All Stars reaped the congratulatory honor following their earning the Hawai‘i Little League Division 1 pennant following their 15-1 victory over Kane‘ohe Tuesday at the He‘eia baseball field in Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu.
That run was the only run Kawaihau allowed during the tournament that started Friday and included three games including the championship contest.
“They put in the only female player in the tournament to run against us,” said coach Richie Rapozo. “The run scored on a credited base hit to the outfield and the runner beating the throw from the cut-off man. It was a good play.”
Starting play Friday in the tournament that included Kainalu, Kahalu‘u, Kaneohe, Kailua and Kawaihau, the Majors All Stars took all three of their contests, including a 10-0 shutout over Kailua Friday and an 11-0 shutout over Kane‘ohe before clinching the pennant 15-1 Tuesday.
“We don’t have much time to do any kind of fundraising because we’re participating in the state tournament starting July 16 on Maui,” Melchor said. “We’re just taking it game at a time.”
The Hawai‘i Little League State championship includes teams from Hilo, Pearl City, Maui and Honolulu, and will be contested on Maui. A successful bid at the state tournament advances the team to the West Regional tournament in San Bernardino, California, with a possible berth to Pennsylvania for the Little League World Series.
“Congratulations is good,” Rapozo said. “But we need help with fundraising. There is not much time.”
Casey Tupou, a team mom, said she has been scrambling from before returning home from the District 1 tournament.
“The hotel rooms are costly. We’re paying around $10,000 for rooms, and that’s supposed to be reasonable?” she said. “We’re scrambling for ideas on how to fundraise in such a short period of time.”
•••
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
