Kahuku’s Talented Girls Judo Team Ready To Prove It

Wednesday - April 16, 2008
By Jack Danilewicz
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With their strong showing at the state tournament last year, the Kahuku girls judo team all but guaranteed itself of receiving every opponent’s best effort this season.

If anything, opposing schools are as familiar with Red Raider coach Ray Imada’s lineup card as he is.

“We’re kind of a known commodity as far as returnees go - everyone will be gunning for us,” Imada admitted. “Hopefully, we have enough overall quality with eight or nine (state tournament-caliber) to make a run. We hope to do it with numbers.”

Not to mention with experience. The Red Raiders, who finished third in both the OIA as well as the state tournament last year, return an all-star veteran cast that includes Kalae Johnson, Danica Auna, Amanda Soliai and Cianah Hee. All four were in the mix for individual state titles in their respective weight classes last spring, and they hope to be at their best in the coming weeks. On Saturday, Kahuku will compete in the OIA East individual championships at McKinley, with the league’s team championships set to follow on April 25 at Aiea.


“They’re all getting into judo shape now after competing at the wrestling nationals two weeks ago in Michigan. They’ll be able to focus more now. All four have a good wrestling base, and they’re all pretty strong for their size.”

Johnson, who competes in the 109-pound weight class, took third as a sophomore at the state tournament last spring and figures to be among the favorites this time around.

“Technically, she may have come along farther than anyone on our team,” Imada said. “She’s a very smart, very tough player.”

Senior Danica Auna is also looking to finish some unfinished business in the 122-pound weight class following third place finishes in both the OIA and state tournament last year.

“Her forte is her will to win and to compete against the best,” Imada said of Auna, who is a two-time defending state wrestling champion. “She’s an outstanding leader as far as setting an example. She epitomizes what you’d like in a student-athlete.”

Among Kahuku’s state tournament qualifiers from a year ago, Amanda Soliai’s second-place finish in the 154-pound class was the highest of any Red Raider. Imada has high expectations for her once again in this, her senior season.

“She’s a powerhouse - she’s undeniably strong for her size,” he said. “She’s been working really hard. She’s a fighter - she hates to lose.”

Fellow senior Cianah Hee is looking to regain the form of her sophomore season, meanwhile, finished second in the 129-pound weight class. Last spring, she settled for fifth.

“She was kind of disappointed - she just had a bad day - but she’s really focused on getting her technique down right now,” Imada said. “She’s a great kid. I have high expectations for her.”


The Red Raiders also boast a pair of solid juniors in Andrina Ramos and Ione Kamakaala. Ramos won the East last year in the 103-pound class and went on to a third place overall finish in the OIA, while Kamakaala is undefeated in five dual meets this spring after having missed all of 2007 with an injury.

The Red Raiders took a 4-2 record into last weekend in dual meet competitions, but those numbers are misleading in that Kahuku was missing most of its regular starting lineup in losses to McKinley and Farrington.

“Overall, except for the week they (key players) were away (at a national wrestling tournament), we’ve done well,” Imada said.“We know we’ll make the playoffs, and when we have a full lineup, we’ll be one of the teams to beat. They know they always have to be mentally ready because we’re usually behind (at the beginning of the season). Ninety-five percent of our kids are seasonal players. They make up for it (less time put in) with hustle and determination.”

The 2008 Hawaii state judo championships will take place May 10 at Stan Sheriff Center on the University of Hawaii campus. The following Saturday, May 17, Brigham Young-Hawaii will host a high school national tournament at Cannon Activities Center.

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