Stories by Jason Blasco

KIF holds its own against off-island competitiion

Former Major League Baseball player and current Kaiser head coach Kila Ka‘aihue probably best stated the caliber of competition the Kaua‘ Interscholastic Federation has when he was asked the question of his assessment.

Kauaʻi’s competitive spirit to shine in the spring

Covering the Kaua‘i Senior Softball game between the Keonimana Gents and the Hanama‘ulu Hillsiders Saturday afternoon was a pleasant reminder that Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation spring sports season is closing in on being in full swing.

Gents go for their sixth-consecutive title

HANAPEPE — The Keonimana Gents senior softball team captured the previous five Kauaʻi Senior Softball championships. But like many dynasties in sports, staying on top for several seasons is challenging to maintain.

A new era begins

Newly appointed Kaua‘i High School baseball coach Spencer Yates has lofty goals for his team headed into the 2020 Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season.

Swim Kauai Aquatics excels on O‘ahu

HONOLULU —Swim Kaua‘i Aquatics coaches Curt Colby, Whitney Mitchell and Kailee Mu took 14 swimmers to O‘ahu for the Short Course Hawaiian Age Group Championships at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatics Complex Feb. 20 to 23.

Gents, rookies take control of senior softball league

KAPA‘A The Kaua‘i Senior Softball went to the opposite end of the island with the weekend games in Kapa‘a and Kaumakani. It was another action-packed Saturday that brought four games at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex, and triple-headers were on tap at the Wally Sonoda Softball Park. In all of the games, the victorious team scored double-digits while their opponent was held to a single-digit score.

Kaua‘i kids learn Japanese-style volleyball

LIHU‘E — Island School volleyball player Brittany Valentino got to learn the game from a global perspective during Wednesday afternoon’s instructional volleyball camp at Island School gymnasium.

KIF Girls soccer garners state honors

The Kaua’i High School soccer team capped one of their most successful seasons in recent memory, with four players capturing All-Tournament honors.

Akana is Kaua‘i DOCARE chief

Kaua‘i-born Brad “Kipi” Akana is the new Kaua‘i branch chief of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resource Enforcement.

Making history

The Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation made history with three wrestlers placing in the final day of state competition at the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Texaco Wrestling Championship last weekend at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

Red Raiders place fifth at state tourney

The Kaua‘i High School boys’ basketball team capped its season with a fifth-place finish at the 2020 Snapple boys’ basketball Division II fifth-place game with a 52-49 victory over Seabury Hall Friday morning at Stan Sheriff Center.

Red Raiders fall in quarterfinals of state tourney

HONOLULU The Kaua‘i High School boys’ basketball team got plenty of production out of their top scorers against Kohala in the quarterfinals of the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Snapple Boys Basketball Division II Championship Wednesday afternoon at Kalani High School on O‘ahu.

Senior softball shakeup

HANAMA‘ULU — The Kaua‘i Senior Softball League brought the seven-game series to the outskirts of Lihu‘e with a triple-header at the Peter Rayno Softball Park with four games at the Puhi Neighborhood Softball Stadium.