Kailua Baseball Team Made Up Of Gentlemen Athletes

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It’s not the destination that matters, as the old saying goes, but rather the journey. By the Kailua High baseball program’s lofty standards, the 2006 Surfriders may have fallen short of their own expectations, but coach Corey Ishigo had no complaints about the way his team represented the community.

“It’s probably the most well-mannered group of kids we’ve ever had here,” said Ishigo, who has led the Surfriders to five Oahu Interscholastic Association titles as well as a state championship. “They were great people on and off of the field. We never had to worry about them doing anything negative. They’re all going to be very successful in life.”

On the field, Ishigo’s senior class also won a lot of big games, including this season when Kailua made yet another state tournament appearance.As juniors, they helped the Surfriders to the 2004 OIA title, the school’s fifth in six years. Outfielder Kurt Sasaoka and second baseman Aaron Kunioka were both recently named First Team All-Stars from the OIA’s Eastern Division, with (outfielder) Keli’i Klobacar, (outfielder) Preston Nakata and (catcher) Mike D’Alessio earning Second Team honors. Selections are made by the conference coaches.

“Kurt was one of our hardest working guys,” Ishigo said of Sasaoka. “He took charge of the team. He stepped up and took this team on his shoulders. It was a productive year for Aaron. He’s a hitter. He batted over 500 during the regular season.”

Four Surfriders - Zack Akamine, Nathan Alvarado, Pat Murphy and Kili Vierra - were also named to the Honorable Mention team.

Castle’s David Mohika was the lone Knight selected to the East’s First Team. A four-year starter, he injured his arm in pre-season and was used mostly as a designated hitter this spring. He was regarded as one of the league’s top catchers his first three seasons.

“He got better every year,“Ishigo said.“His defensive skills were always good. He would probably have been a Division I guy (as a catcher) if he hadn’t hurt his arm. He’s the kind of guy you’d like to have on your team.”

Added Mohika’s own coach, Joe Tom: “He was a real team player. He’s a humble kid, very respectful, and a leader by example. He was raised that way.”

Castle, which was the surprise team of the Wally Yonamine Foundation State Baseball Tournament on Maui after finishing third last month, also had nine players selected to the Honorable Mention team: Kyle Abasial, Codey Cabael, Royce Diaz, Kyle Kanaeholo, Lyle Kitagawa, Brandon Kon, Jordan Nakayama, Dallas Olsen and Corey Paredes. The Knights’ win over top-seeded Aiea at the state tournament rated as one of the year’s true upsets.

Donovan Correra, Douglas Cox, Alika Ka’anapu, Kainoa Kaehu, Kyle Okumura and Talon Wemple were named Honorable Mention from Kalaheo.

Kahuku’s MJ Sabido is also on the Honorable Mention team.