Konawaena • Sports: Basketball, track and field • GPA: 3.0 • College: Washington State (basketball)
The honors and statistics don’t bear witness to Lia Galdeira’s sheer willpower, determination and outlandish physical prowess.
The basketball feats are instant classic territory: four-time All-State selection, three-time state player of the year. She averaged 18 points, eight rebounds and five steals per game — in limited minutes because of a plethora of blowout wins — as Konawaena captured its third state title in four seasons.
It wasn’t the numbers, though, that set her apart. It was her ability to take over a game — and not necessarily on offense. Her phenomenal defensive ability often sparked Wildcats runs, including the one that helped Konawaena rally past ‘Iolani in this year’s state final.
Off the court, she was an entertainer who could make teammates laugh or sing along to her songs. On the court, she was a team player who fueled the community at every opportunity. Foes respected and feared the 5-foot-8 phenom, a player who once tore up Pop Warner fields on both sides of the ball.
"I hated when she played us," said Lahainaluna coach Todd Rickard, whose team was the only one to wedge into Konawaena’s string of titles, back in 2010. "I wish them all the best in college, but I’m glad she and Dawnyelle (Awa) are gone. Guard, forward, center, (Galdeira) can shoot and play defense. All-around, there’s nobody better. I’ve been coaching 18 years and she’s at least in the top three. She would give college teams a run for their money. She’s one of a kind."
Then there was the track thing. She started with track and field as a junior, using raw talent to win five golds at her first BIIF championship meet. As a senior, she captured state golds in the long jump and triple jump despite groin and hamstring injuries, as well as a cold.
There simply may never be another female athlete, at least in this generation, quite like Lia Galdeira.
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Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser
