Top high school star commits to Hawai'i
| • | 'Bows batter Vulcans, 18-2 |
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
One of the state's top pro baseball prospects said he will sign with the University of Hawai'i.
Advertiser library photo
Iolani senior catcher Kala Kaaihue has verbally committed to play for the Rainbows. He joins 12 early signees, which include Pearl City pitcher Jonathon Serapion and Roosevelt left-hander Kaimi Mead, formerly of Saint Louis.
Iolani senior catcher Kala Kaaihue will play for UH.
"I wanted to wait a while, see how this year's team would do because last year they didn't do too well (16-40)," Kaaihue said. "Coach Trap (UH coach Mike Trapasso) said (the team is) getting better. So far, they're doing good, so I figured I might as well stay at home."
Kaaihue was offered the scholarship in the fall, but he also was considering football offers that also allowed him to play baseball. He was a second-team all-state selection at linebacker.
Kaaihue said Sacramento State, Brigham Young, Iowa and Kansas showed interest in him for baseball. He said Sacramento State, which signed four Hawai'i players last year, offered him a scholarship. He said Colorado and Wisconsin showed interest for football, but neither school has a baseball program. He added Washington had both, but he wasn't too impressed with its baseball.
NCAA rules prohibit Trapasso from discussing a recruit until he signs a national letter of intent. The next signing period is April 14-17.
Kaaihue said he has been attending UH games this season. He already knows some of the current freshmen, including catchers Drew Jackson and Matt Inouye, from playing with them during the summer for the Island Movers. He added one of the attractions to UH was the fan support.
"That Wichita State game (two Saturdays ago) had 2,000-something fans," he said. "I said, 'All right, that makes my decision.' "
The 6-foot-1, 225-pound right-handed hitter broke the toe on his left foot and missed part of last season. He said the toe is fine and he feels no residual effects of the injury. He won a home run derby over the weekend in a preseason tournament on Maui. Kaaihue said he hit two home runs out of Iron Maehara Stadium and four other deep balls that counted in his point totals.
Kaaihue is expected to be selected in the June first-year player draft. His brother, Kila, signed with Nebraska last year, but was drafted in the 15th round by the Kansas City Royals. The 2002 Iolani graduate signed with the Royals and played for the organization's rookie club in Florida.
Their father, Kala Kaaihue, played professionally, including a stint with the old Triple-A Hawaii Islanders.
Kaaihue said making his decision a little easier was that his girlfriend, Iolani all-state volleyball player Kanoe Kamana'o, has signed to play volleyball at UH.
"She's real happy," Kaaihue said.
