It was a fitting sendoff for Jon Viela.

A quarter-century on Baldwin’s coaching staff, including nine as head coach, gave the physical education and health teacher all the time and knowledge it took to groom the 2016 Bears.

The good-news Bears sent him off with perfection. Baldwin’s 17-0 season, capped by a 5-1 win over Pearl City in the state final at Iron Maehara Stadium, gave the Wailuku school its first state crown in more than two decades. Viela, the Star-Advertiser All-State Baseball coach of the year, deflected credit.

“It’s great to be recognized, but it’s the boys who deserve everything. It’s about the bond they created. It’s how they came together and were there for each other,” said Viela, who recently retired from Baldwin to become the athletic director at Kamehameha-Maui.

The pitcher of the year, Kawena Alo-Kaonohi, was the ace of Baldwin’s formidable staff with a 6-0 record and 0.20 ERA. Position player of the year Jordan Macias of Campbell hit .542 with 25 stolen bases, and demonstrated remarkable range and efficiency at shortstop.

“He is impressive, skill-wise. When we played them, he was someone we had to worry about,” Viela said.

According to Macias, that almost-preposterous batting average could’ve been better.

“Some at-bats, I got too greedy,” he said.

He began swinging away at age 3 with his father, Gil, tossing pitches. At 4, he was MVP of a tee-ball league in Ewa Beach, already playing shortstop.

Alo-Kaonohi was one of four seniors on Baldwin’s squad.

“Multiple teams were underdogs in the state,” Alo-Kaonohi said. “We looked at our team knowing we were underdogs who could become state champs. Coach Jon always told us we could win states, so we did it for him.”

Alo-Kaonohi led by example.

“People don’t know he is a really down-to-earth person,” Viela said of his pitcher-outfielder. “He looks like a rugged young man, but he has a soft heart underneath.”

The senior spends weekdays with his mother, Maipela, in Wailuku and weekends with his father, Chico, living off the grid in Kahakuloa Village.

“Out there, they farm taro, throw net and raise animals,” Viela said.

It is a different kind of gated community. Visitors are welcome only by invitation. The beach is off-limits.

“That’s our icebox,” he said, noting the fishing that is vital to the community of about 100. “This place has been there since before my grandma was born. Just a little village with no phone service, living the Hawaiian style. We want to keep it exactly how it is.”

FIRST TEAM

>> Position Player of the Year— Jordan Macias, Campbell

>> Pitcher of the Year—Kawena Alo-Kaonohi, Baldwin

>> Coach of the Year—Jon Viela, Baldwin

SECOND TEAM

THIRD TEAM

HONORABLE MENTION

David Nakamura, Waiakea

Tai Atkins, KS-Hawaii

Kamalu Simeona, Kaiser

Lii Pontes, Kamehameha

Carson Okada, Pearl City

Riley Guieb, Punahou

Nigel Mayfield, Baldwin

Kaleb Nishijo, Pearl City

Kyle Layugan, Mid-Pacific

Logan Williams, Punahou

Kekaulike Kalua, Moanalua

Shaun Kurosawa, Waiakea

Nainoa Keahi, Baldwin

Khaine Viliamu, Waipahu

Kainoa Torres, Kaiser

Brendan Odo, Kailua

Logan Salcedo, Kamehameha

Kaiolohia Perreira-Alquiza, StL

Cody Isa, Moanalua

Chayce Akaka, Baldwin

Davin Kapuras, Pearl City

Kawai Takemura, Kamehameha
Justin Fernandez, Campbell

Dustin Imanaka, Kailua

Kobie Russell, Waipahu

Jaisten Cabatbat,
Kamehameha-Hawaii

Micah Jio, Maui

Kai Terada-Herzer, Punahou

Christian Ontai, Leilehua

Todd Takahama, Campbell

Austin Keliinoi-Westbrook, Waianae

Cameron Wong, Mid-Pacific

Joe Uesato, Kapolei

Chase Miyasato, KS

Makoa Mau, Kamehameha

Hunter Hill, Mid-Pacific

Kingston Ballao, Maui

Andrei Stoyanow, Kapolei

Makoa Andres, Waiakea

Jared Yara, St. Francis

Noah Loughlin, Punahou

Thomas Capllonch, Kalaheo