If familiarity matters in bowling, then Konawaena and Kealakehe should be ready to roll.
For once, the schools are not the ones left to foot the travel bill. From the Big Island Interscholastic Federation regular season to the league championships to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association tournament, the Wildcats and Waveriders should feel right at home at KBXtreme in Kailua-Kona.
“It’s our house and we’re more comfortable because we know the environment,” Konawaena coach Clyde Takafuji said. “But a lane is a lane: 60 feet long, (same) width, two gutters.”
Coincidence or not, the Wildcats’ Tresen Arakaki (213), and the Waveriders’ Desiree Ichishita (191) were the high rollers Saturday in the BIIF opener.
Hilo, Kamehameha and Keaau each survived the demise of Hilo Lanes, but Waiakea, which won the girls team title last year, did not.
Vikings coach Damien Chow said the costs of practicing at Kilauea Military Camp have actually decreased because the increase in gas usage has been offset by lower fees than at Hilo Lanes. But, he said, the number of participants are down for East Hawaii schools.
As for the travel, Chow knows what they say about paybacks.
“Hey, for all those years Konawaena and Kealakehe were the ones that had to make the trip,” he said. “We just have to all work together and do what we have to do.”
League play is cozier with just six schools (boys and girls), and so is the schedule. Saturday’s meet was the first of three at KBXtreme heading into the Sept. 27 individual championships.
Takafuji feels KBXtreme is more predictable and consistent than Hilo Lanes, but the Wildcats used it to their advantage last season as they won the boys team title as an underdog.
This year he’s got far and away the healthiest boys roster in the league with seven returnees. There are three seniors (Cody Fujimoto, Tyrus Suezaki, Kyle Kunitomo), a sophomore in Torin Savella (194-181) who flashed Saturday and Takafuji calls Arakaki perhaps his most consistent bowler.
“I expect high games out of him,” Takafuji said. “He’s capable of going higher than that.”
Ka’u was the only other boys team to field the full complement of five bowlers Saturday, while Keaau and the Waveriders only had two.
The Cougars’ Erik Arnold was consistent with a 208 and 180, while Hilo’s Jordan Pajo (203) and Kamehameha’s Brandyn Lee-Lehano (203) also broke 200.
The numbers are better on the girls side for Kealakehe. Coach Gerald Ota said he’s carrying six to seven bowlers, including Ichishita, a fourth-year competitor.
“She’s improved immensely from the ninth grade to what she is now,” Ota said. “We should be right there for the team title, but I don’t want to count my eggs before they’re hatched.”
Chow said three girls bowlers stand out: Ichishita, Hilo’s Caitlyn Price and Konawaena’s Madison Staup. Price and Staup each rolled a 180 on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a fight between those three unless somebody really comes out and shines,” Chow said. “Caitlyn has the fight. She plays softball, so she has a mentality.
“I’ve seen the Kona girls. They’re ones you have to get after. It’s their house. They can do some damage. It’s an advantage against the eastside schools.”
Saturday at KBXtreme, Kailua-Kona
High games listed
BOYS
Hilo def. Kealakehe 3-0
Hilo: Jordon Pajo, 166, 144; Blake Fukunaga, 138; Chanan Kotake, 132
Kealakehe: Kawika Pierson, 152; James Fisher, 197, 174
Konawaena def. Ka‘u 3-0
Konawaena: Tresen Arakaki, 213; Torin Savella, 194; Kyle Kunitomo, 187
Ka‘u: Travis Taylor, 131; Trevor Taylor, 124
Kamehameha def. Keaau 3-0
Kamehameha: Brandyn Lee-Lehano, 203; Alton Penrose, 193; Seth Yamaguchi, 183
Keaau: Erik Arnold, 208, 182
Konawaena def. Kealakehe 3-0
Konawaena: Kyler Kunitomo, 183; Torin Savella, 181; Tyrus Suezaki, 163
Kealakehe: James Fisher, 180; Kawika Pierson, 145
Kamehameha def. Ka‘u: 2-1
Kamehameha: Seth Yamaguchi, 181; Brandyn Lee-Lehano, 161; Alton Penrose, 156
Ka‘u: Titan Ault, 148
Hilo def. Keaau 3-0
Hilo: Jordan Pajo, 203 , 176; Noah Hong, 159; Chanan Kotake, 141
Keaau: Erik Arnold, 183, 179
GIRLS
Kealakehe def. Hilo 3-0
Kealakehe: Desiree Ichishita, 172; Kes Stark, 152; Shayla Mitchell, 134
Hilo: Caitlyn Price, 157; Kaylyn Ells-Hookano, 136
Konawaena def. Ka‘u 3-0
Konawaena: Madison Staup, 158; Mikki Fujimoto, 147
Ka‘u: Kathlyn Padaray, 81
Kamehameha def. Keaau 3-0
Kamehameha: Kaila Kaaihue, 123
Keeau: Aileen Umayas, 126; Brianna Au, 121
Kealakehe def. Konawaena 3-0
Kealakehe: Desiree Ichishita, 191, 156; Rosemarie Stevenson-Johnson, 135; Kes Stark, 131
Konawaena: Madison Staup, 180; Mikki Fujimoto, 124
Kamehameha def. Ka‘u 3-0
Kamehameha: Jayla Alonzo-Estrada, 131; Kanani Cook, 133; Kiera Kua-Ramirez, 123
Ka‘u: 67, 66
Keaau def. Hilo 2-1
Keaau: Aileen Umayas, 128; Daizha Gomes, 124
Hilo: Caitlyn Price, 180, 167; Kaylyn Ells-Hookano, 165
