State golf celebrates 50 years

High school golf opened David Ishii’s eyes to a world of possibilities even before he was in ninth grade. Now, Ishii is the man Hawaii golf observers most closely identify with the state high school boys and girls championships. They are his tournaments, after all — not as an owner in the traditional sense, but as a financial supporter and a source of stability. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association, which runs all of the state’s high school sports tournaments, does not have to worry about finding its major golf backer with the David S. Ishii Foundation as its partner. The 50th edition of the state tournament is this week — the 19th with Ishii’s name in the title.

Ishii was in seventh grade when he was asked by the Kauai High School team to attend the 1968 state tournament at Waiehu Golf Course on Maui. He didn’t play, but he got a good picture of what it’s all about.

"I got to see a new island for the first time and they had this big banquet. I remember thinking, ‘Oh, this is exciting.’ " Ishii made a lucrative career out of golfing, and with it came a few more banquets and quite a bit more travel.

Those experiences are part of why Ishii — a 14-time winner on the Japan Golf Tour and one-time titlist on the PGA Tour — funds state golf.

"It lets golfers play places they wouldn’t normally play," said Ishii, who went on to win the state tournament as a senior in 1973 at two courses on his home island, Princeville and Wailua. "My father told me that everyone can learn from golf. The state tournament is not just about the top players. It’s for all of the golfers who play in it. They can experience it and will always remember it. They’ll be able to say that they played in the state tournament with great golfers like Lorens Chan or Stephanie Kono or Allisen Corpuz or Mariel Galdiano."

Kalani Kiaaina, now a club pro at the Hawaii Prince — recalls his memorable state tournament moments on and off the course for ‘Iolani.

In 1991, he was tied at the top with Kaiser’s Craig Uyehara after 36 holes and lost on the first playoff hole at Waiehu.

"It was a surprise that I even got into a playoff," Kiaaina said. "I was a freshman at the time and it was a blast even though I lost. Just being in a position to win was special."

There were more sweet moments ahead. He finished sixth the next year and then won two in a row — in 1993 at the Waikoloa Kings’ and Beach courses and in ’94 at Wailua. Both times, he did not hold the lead after the first round.

"I remember pars were pretty good," he said about both victories. "It was a battle to try to not make mistakes on very tough courses."

Winning was only one thing, though.

"We got to go to the neighbor islands, stay in hotels and condos, and basically miss a week of school," he added.

Kiaaina doesn’t hesitate to tip his cap to Ishii.

"David is the best player out of Hawaii, period," he said. "As far as golf resumes go, nobody can touch his."

Interestingly, in ’91 when he was the individual runner-up, Kiaaina helped his team to the team title that eluded the Raiders the two years he finished as medalist.

Kiaaina was thrilled that ‘Iolani won that ’91 championship for coach George Kuwada.

"He took care of everything for us," he said.

Both Ishii and Kiaaina stressed the team aspect of the tournament and talked about how they were disappointed when their teams didn’t win.

Each year, Ishii catches some of the final round of both the boys and girls tournaments. He’ll be at the Waikoloa Kings’ Course on Tuesday and Friday to give out the medals to the top finishers.

"For the girls, it’s like a graduation or a carnival," Ishii said. "They’re getting leis from their parents and giving leis to their friends. The boys, they’re more boring. They don’t get hardly anything from each other. They say congratulations — much more quiet."

Punahou junior Mariel Galdiano will be trying to win her third straight championship Tuesday, and that’s something no state boy or girl golfer has done. After Monday’s first round, she is tied for the lead with two others at even-par 72.

The boys tournament starts Thursday and wraps up Friday.

Anna Umemura of Punahou is the only golfer with three titles (1994, ’95 and ’97). Aside from Kiaaina, other two-time winners are Moanalua’s Kristina Merkle (2008, ’09), Campbell’s Ralden Chang (1981, ’82), Waiakea’s Troy Tamiya (1986, ’87), Waiakea’s Mike Pavao (1990, ’92), Waiakea’s Jarett Hamamoto (2001, ’02), ‘Iolani’s Lorens Chan (2009, ’11), and Moanalua’s John Oda (2012, ’14).

Waiakea has the most boys team titles with 10.5, followed by Punahou with 9.5, and Kahuku, Kauai and ‘Iolani with four apiece.

On the girls side, which made its debut in 1994, Punahou has the most team championships with six, followed by Waiakea with three and Hilo and Kauai with two each.