The top boys air riflery shooters took their best shots — figuratively, not literally — at Kamehameha’s Keanu Paikai on Tuesday. None could match his accuracy.
Paikai, a senior, became the first boy to repeat as individual champion at the 13th annual Civilian Marksmanship Program Air Riflery Championships at the Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall.
"It’s very cool and interesting to win again," Paikai said. "It feels great. It’s an honor."
On the girls side, Waiakea’s Kellie Iwasaki became the first female shooter from a neighbor island school to win the individual title.
Punahou swept the boys and girls team titles. The Buffanblu boys won for the sixth time in seven years, while the Buffanblu girls won their fifth team title overall.
Paikai finished with a total score of 543 points (15 bull’s-eyes). He scored 191 (8x) from the prone position, 172 (3x) from standing and 180 (4x) from kneeling.
"I try to keep a clear mind and focus on every little detail before I shoot," said Paikai, who said he might enroll and shoot at the University of Nevada next fall.
Punahou’s Erik Oberacker finished second among the boys with 534 points (11x) and Kalani’s Brandon Arakaki placed third with 527 (12x).
The competitors — 42 boys and 42 girls — used Daisey Sporter air rifles with the targets 32.8 feet (10 meters) away. They fired 20 shots from the three positions. A bull’s-eye is worth 10 points, with each ring out from the center scoring one fewer point. A maximum score is 600.
Last year, Paikai won with a 552 total, one point shy of matching the boys individual record.
Sacred Hearts’ Clarissa Akana is the only other repeat individual champion, winning in 2008 and 2009.
Iwasaki finished with a total score of 535 points (11x). She scored 188 (5x) from prone, 166 (2x) from standing and 181 (4x) from kneeling.
"I just try to keep my mind off of where I am," she said. "That includes singing songs in my head, something up-tempo, whatever pops into my mind."
Iwasaki, a junior, said one of the songs playing in her head was "Tonight" from K-pop group Big Bang.
Iwasaki was a bit of a surprise winner, considering she finished second overall during the Big Island Interscholastic Federation season and fourth at the BIIF championships.
"I take it as a shock. I just tried my best," she said.
Punahou’s Linda Char finished second with 531 points (15x) and teammate Christie Obatake placed third with 530 (8x).
The team titles were determined by using the total scores of four designated shooters.
The Punahou boys had all four shooters finish in the top 17, while the Punahou girls had their four shooters finish among the top eight.
"This year we had really good teams on both sides," Punahou coach Karen Finley said. "This was probably the best depth we’ve had in a while."
The Punahou boys finished with 2,074 points (40x).
Pearl City finished second in the boys team standings with 2,029 points (31x) and Waiakea placed third with 2,017 (31x).
Waiakea finished second in the girls team standings with 2,023 points (37x) and Sacred Hearts, which won in 2009 and 2010, placed third with 1,980 (24x).
