Kulanihako‘i High School’s Cooper Gearhart goes up for a layup during the Manta Rays’ 36-28 win over Kihei Charter in a boys junior varsity basketball game Saturday that was the first on-campus sporting event at Kulanihako‘i. The Maui News / ROBERT COLLIAS photos

KIHEI — The sports history just keeps on happening for Kulanihako’i High School, Kihei’s 2-year-old public high school in South Maui.

On Saturday, the $245 million school held its first on-campus sporting event, a junior varsity boys basketball game dubbed the “Kihei Classic.” The host Manta Rays beat Kihei Charter School 36-28, but the final score was not nearly the most important part of this community happening.

The event took place at the back portion of campus, which is mauka of Piilani Highway in the middle of Kihei, on an outdoor court, fighting hard gusts of winds all evening long.

Kulanihako’i sophomore Lawaia Walsh scored the first two points of the game for the Manta Rays, who had an 0-7 record in their first year of Maui Interscholastic League JV basketball, although they beat Hana’s varsity team and Saturday’s exhibition win was against a Tiger Sharks roster, minus a couple of juniors, that played its first season of MIL Division II boys basketball at the varsity level.

“It was a lot of fun, had all the fans over here, it was nice to have them in the background,” Walsh said. “It was nice to be around it. It’s pretty cool, I’m glad to have that opportunity to be the first to play a game here.”

Walsh

The Manta Rays led 10-6 at the end of the first quarter, 22-8 at halftime and 28-14 at the end of the third quarter.

“If we were going against the wind, that was hard, but when we were going with the wind, we were fine,” Walsh said. “That’s why all the first-half points were off of shots when we were with the wind and when we were against the wind, we started scoring less.”

Walsh’s sophomore teammate Tyrique Uwel said that playing in front of a couple hundreds fans, most perched in beach folding chairs outside of the fenced-in, cement court, was a spectacular moment.

“So fun, I enjoy playing over here, this is my first time in the league and I’m grateful to be playing for this new school,” Uwel said. “Lawaia is a good guy, he’s my friend. Rain or shine, we come to practice here.”

The game was an experience that put smiles on the faces of the fans in attendance. A food truck, an ice cream vendor, and a DJ/master of ceremonies kept the event lively for all involved.

Uwel

The KHS coaching staff is headed by Ollie Myrick, a former University of Hawaii football player, and Junne Arcilla, a former Maui High standout.

“A lot, had a lot of fun, you know, it’s a new experience, a new school, and we had a lot of fun,” Myrick said. “And I think we got better.”

Myrick added that the plan is to make Saturday’s event an annual tournament, involving more schools.

“I think this might be the first time we ever did a game like this, outside, in the history of Maui, so you gotta love being the first school and the first tournament ever (here),” Myrick said. “We can never take today away from these boys, being first to do this, and it helps to get the ‘W,’ too.”

Myrick said his team was upbeat all season.

Kulanihako‘i’s Aiden Bottoms looks to shoot during Saturday’s game.

“They actually never complained, they showed up to practice every day,” Myrick said. “I mean, the goal is to get a gym because other schools have a gym. So, us being outside, sometimes when it rains we don’t have practice. I think that’s like a disadvantage, but their attitude was, ‘Let’s just play.’ “

First-year Kulanihako’i athletic director Rachael Blair coordinated Saturday’s event.

“Yeah, this is a big day, really exciting for our community,” Blair said just prior to tip-off. “To actually come together, be one in our community, celebrate together our kids, we’re really excited for this upcoming year, season. I’m super proud of our basketball team. They have been just working so hard. The coaches have been doing a great job leading them, motivating them. I couldn’t be happier with the program. They’re working really hard and we’re excited for what is to come.”

Blair said the plan is to move her boys basketball team next season to the MIL Division II varsity level.

Blair added that a gymnasium is planned in a future phase of completing the school, which opened to students for the 2023-24 academic year after one year of the original freshman class physically attending Lokelani Intermediate School in 2022-23.

This is the first year that KHS has had MIL sports, including varsity competitors in cross country, air riflery, swimming and wrestling.

Blair and KHS are also pursuing permits to use the county-run South Maui Community Gymnasium nearby.

“Yeah, we’re going to battle the winds a little bit today, but our kids are used to that,” Blair said. “They’ve been working real hard out here all year, this is where we practice. We’re temporarily waiting for the gym to be built. We haven’t got there yet, but we’re looking forward to the future of the gymnasium.

“We’re looking forward to working with South Maui gym to hopefully secure an indoor gymnasium for our boys and girls next year. We’re hoping to be in there so they’ll have a place to play indoors.”

Kihei Charter head coach Jerome Chappelle was glad his team had the chance to be part of the MIL for the first time — this season was the Tiger Sharks’ first of any kind in high school basketball.

“Can’t beat it, to be honest,” Chappelle said. “As someone who loves the game, wants to see it grow, I mean I love to see new teams come, new schools. I know they don’t have the facilities they want, but at least it’s something to start with. Yeah, you can’t beat it.

“Like I said, having a new school like this and them welcoming us, another school that’s trying to start a new program. Maybe some other schools would be like rivals and not want us to play them and get better, but we’re rolling to get better because it’s about the community of basketball, I think. It’s growing.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

Kulanihako‘i High School’s Cooper Gearhart goes up for a layup during the Manta Rays’ 36-28 win over Kihei Charter in a boys junior varsity basketball game Saturday that was the first on-campus sporting event at Kulanihako‘i. The Maui News / ROBERT COLLIAS photos Kulanihako‘i’s Aiden Bottoms looks to shoot during Saturday’s game. Uwel
Walsh

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