Kainoa Downing‘s dream is to feed the masses.
When Huntington Beach (Calif.) and Kamehameha-Hawaii arrive in town for the inaugural Kamehameha Cup, he plans to serve a smorgasbord of volleyball and local food.
The tourney begins on Thursday with Kamehameha against ‘Iolani at 5 p.m., followed by Kamehameha-Hawaii and Huntington Beach at 6:30. Round-robin play will continue through Friday night and Saturday morning, preceding the third-place match and final. The title match will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
"We want all our kids to know each other. It’s about fellowship," said Downing, who is in his second year as head coach. "After sports, there’s life."
Downing expects to feed approximately 150 players and coaches each night. T-shirt sales will offset the cost of food, he noted. His goal is to expand the tourney to 12 teams next season, with as many as six mainland squads.
"I’ve got friends from all over the world through volleyball," said Downing, who played college volleyball at UCLA and San Diego State.
Galdeira takes 6 events
Konawaena girls basketball phenom Lia Galdeira is back on the track for the second spring in a row.
The results so far are impressive for the Washington State-bound senior.
At the Big Island Interscholastic Federation West Division meet at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, she placed first in the 100- (12.97) and 200-meter (26.7) dashes, the 100 hurdles (15.32), the high jump (5 feet), the long jump (16-05.25) and the triple jump (35.02.75).
Galdeira’s best shots at a state title are likely in the high and triple jumps.
The top marks statewide in those events are 5-2 in the high jump and 35-10.75 in the triple, both by Punahou’s Christine Tsai.
Sand softball
Reviews on the new softball field at Sand Island are all thumbs up.
Maryknoll uses the site for home games.
"I like it a lot," coach John Uekawa said, adding that there are plans to expand it to a four-plex.
