December 2015 marked the end of an era for Big Island teams that racked it up in the American Poolplayers Association.
December 2015 marked the end of an era for Big Island teams that racked it up in the American Poolplayers Association.
For seven years on Wednesday nights at local pool halls across the Big Island, APA teams would gather for competition pool playing. At its peak, APA had 12 teams in Hilo, six in Kona and two in Ka‘u.
But 18 months ago, the APA league operator and franchise owner retired. The Big Island APA league was taken over by an Oahu league operator, but a drop in participation led to a break with the local teams in December.
For one APA Hilo team, Pool Inside, the final season of league play ended on a positive note. Pool Inside, led by team captain Joseph Lealao, won a total of 16 trophies in three major award categories: high-point finishers, division champions and male and female top gun.
Pool Inside’s home bar was Hale Inu Sports Bar in Hilo. The other Pool Inside team members included Ed Britton (top gun male), Fofoa Kepu, Gabe Saberon, Laura Souza (top gun female) and Ed Wong.