Pua Wong and Halia Nahale-a were senior co-captains for Kamehameha water polo and concentrated most of their attention near the goal. Wong was a leader who used aggression and strength to bully the opposition, while Nahale-A was just as stable but relied more on finesse.
Pua Wong and Halia Nahale-a were senior co-captains for Kamehameha water polo and concentrated most of their attention near the goal. Wong was a leader who used aggression and strength to bully the opposition, while Nahale-A was just as stable but relied more on finesse.
Katelynn Kubo did most of her damage from the perimeter, and the name of her game was speed, speed and more speed.
“One wasn’t more valuable than the other,” Warriors coach Dan Lyons said. “I didn’t know how to put one ahead of the other.”
Neither could the other BIIF coaches.
The torch remains in the Kamehameha family, but while it’s passed on from Ryenn Lyons (2010-11) to Kiana Krzyska (2012) to Sydney Plunkett (2013) to Acacia Trusdell (2014), this time it will have to be cut into multiple pieces after a rarity: a three-way tie for BIIF Player of the Year.
“I didn’t even know that was a thing,” Nahale-a said.
Neither did Wong, at least not until she saw that the BIIF split the Player of Year in Division II girls basketball.
“I knew it was a possibility,” she said. “Halia and I were captains, and Kubo is just awesome.”
Kubo, a junior, does not see three as a crowd.
“I was so happy when I found out,” she said. “It’s worth way more to share it with my teammates.”
While they were unique in their own way and brough a different skill-set to the pool, all three shared a common bond.
“We had a great time playing the sport we love,” Kubo said.
And they helped Kamehameha retain its lofty perch atop the BIIF.
Lyons usually gets his way, but he was a bit uncomfortable last season when as many as six of his players could have received the top honor.
“I don’t think it could have ended up any better,” he said of the three-way tie.
Konawaena made a spirited run to the HHSAA tournament behind All-BIIF performers Chloe Delaney, Mikala Fernandez, goalkeeper Taiana Tolleson and Coach of the Year Mike Godden, while Hawaii Prep pulled the upset of the year.
But when push came to shove, it was once again the Warriors’ world. Kamehameha suffered its first lost since 2009 against Ka Makani, but it claimed its sixth consecutive league title going away and finished fifth at the HHSAA tournament for the third year in a row.
“This was the first year that I looked forward to every practice,” said Wong, a three-year starter along with Nahale-A.
Each led Kamehameha this season, tallying more than 40 goals apiece. Kubo wasn’t as prolific a scorer, but she was one of the team’s top defenders and the seasoned swimmer gave the Warriors the burst they desperately needed. Her value was evident on April 12 as HPA sped past Kamehameha 12-11 with Kubo on the mainland for a band competition.
Four days later, Kubo was back and the Warriors overwhelmed Ka Makani 13-0.
“That was a special game because it was Senior Day,” Kubo said. “We wanted to hold it down and show everybody what we could do.
“After beating them, I felt more confident. That game pushed us back to the BIIF title.”
Kealakehe senior Sarah Somsanguansit rounded out the all-league team.
All-BIIF water polo
Players of the Year
Katelynn Kubo Jr. Kamehameha
Halia Nahale-a Sr. Kamehameha
Pua Wong Sr. Kamehameha
Coach of the Year
Mike Godden, Konawaena
First team
Katelyn Kubo Jr. Kamehameha
Halia Nahale-a Sr. Kamehameha
Pua Wong Sr. Kamehameha
Sarah Somsanguansit Sr. Kealakehe
Chloe Delaney Sr. Konawaena
Mikala Fernandez Sr. Konawaena
Taiana Tolleson Sr. Konawaena
Honorable mention
Hilo: Ashleigh Kahawaiola’a Daffron
HPA: Elizabeth Jim, Leilani Bostock, Louisa Duggan, Malia Brown, Sarah Im
Kamehameha: Kenisha Rowe
Konawaena: Kaulana Ruedy, Porsha Brandt, Bailey Walters