Waiakea High boys eye fourth straight state golf championship

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

In golf, knowledge is power.

Detailed information about a course's wind, speed of greens and bunker locations can sometimes mean the difference between hoisting a trophy and walking to the clubhouse empty-handed.

Christian Akau, with a regular-season 68.5 scoring average, will try to help Kamehameha unseat three-time defending state champ Waiakea. Advertiser library photo

In his seven previous seasons at Waiakea, Hardy took his team to the site of the state championships during spring break so his players could practice prior to the tournament.

This year he had to scramble because the David S. Ishii Boys State Championships was moved from the Kapalua Bay Course to the Village Course in late April because of the public schools teachers' strike.

After the date and site of the tournament were set, the team flew to Maui the next day, according to Hardy.

The Waiakea golfers played 36 holes in a day to simulate what they'll have to do at the state championships on Saturday.

"I like the course," Hardy said. "I'm glad we got a chance to see the site. It's difficult to play golf not knowing the course."

Waiakea is the three-time defending boys state champion. No team has been able to win four in a row.

Waiakea's top golfers are Jarett Hamamoto and Gabriel Wilson, the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion and Gov. John Burns Challenge Cup points leader. Wilson finished second at last year's state championships behind former teammate Ryan Masuda.

Hardy knows other schools will be looking to end his team's streak.

"We have a bull's eye painted on our back," he said. "That's the consequence of being the champion."

One of the team's looking to knock off Waiakea is Kamehameha, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion.

Kamehameha's top golfer is Christian Akau, who led the ILH with a regular-season scoring average of 68.5.

"Tell Waiakea watch out. We're coming again," said Kamehameha co-coach Wes Wailehua. "There might be an upset on Saturday."

Said Hardy: "I'd like to wish all teams, including Kamehameha, the best of luck. I'll let my kids and their clubs do the talking."

Last weekend, Kamehameha traveled to Maui and played 36 holes in a day at the Village Course.

"Anytime you go out and practice, it's beneficial," Wailehua said. "We made good use of the practice."

Wailehua said playing 36 holes on Saturday will be tough on the players.

"It's a concern as far as physical and mental fatigue," he said.

On the girls side, Waiakea will be looking to defend its state title at the Ka'anapali South Course.

Waiakea coach Troy Sato, also an assistant pro at Hilo Municipal, took his team to practice at the Dunes at Maui Lani, the original site of the girls championships.

When the tournament date and site were changed, Sato's team flew back to Maui two weeks ago and held an "emergency" practice at Ka'anapali.

Waiakea's top golfer is BIIF champion Leah Whiting. She finished tied for second at last year's championships.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said Sato, in his first year as coach. "The competition will be tight there. We're hoping for the best."

'Aiea's Merynn Ito is the defending girls champion.