12 chosen for prep Hall of Honor
Advertiser Staff
Two four-time state wrestling champions, a four-time state swimming champion and a four-time all-state soccer player head the 2003 class of the Nissan Hawai'i High School Hall of Honor.
The class, including the Hall's first representative from Ka'u on the Big Island, will be formally inducted at a banquet on June 8 at the Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, starting at 6 p.m. Limited tickets are available at $20 each and may be purchased by calling Nissan at 836-0888.
Each student-athlete will receive a $2,000 college scholarship and gold ring.
Keynote speaker will be Fran Villarmia-Kahawai, a 1987 Nissan Hall inductee and former University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine basketball player and 'Aiea High girls basketball coach.
This year's class, chosen by a panel of high school administrators, media and community members, will bring the Hall of Honor's total to 252, representing 45 high schools.
The Hall of Honor was established in 1982 by Nissan Motor Corp. in Hawai'i, Ltd., to "recognize excellence in athletics" as well as involvement in school and community.
This year's 12 honorees are:
- Krisha Kai, Kahuku. State 100-meter hurdles and high jump champion (2002) in track and field and all-state soccer player.
- Kanoe Kamana'o, Iolani. Three-time all-state volleyball player and 2001 State Player of the Year, member of the USA Junior National Team and a Fab 50 national player.
- Rachel Kane, Punahou. All-state basketball player and member of the 2003 state championship basketball team; also member of state tournament soccer and softball teams.
- Ku'ulei Karratti, Ka'u. State 100-meter dash champion in track and field, all-league soccer player and captain of track, soccer, basketball, bowling and cross country teams.
- Tuli Peters, Kahuku. Volleyball State Player of the Year in 2002, and key member of state runner-up basketball team.
- Keoni Ruth, Kamehameha. All-state football receiver, all-state baseball shortstop and member of the 2003 state baseball championship team.
- Zoie Sevilla, Baldwin. Two-time all-state softball player and 2001 state high jump champion in track and field.
- Jonathan Spiker, Saint Louis. Four-time state wrestling champion and 20-time national judo champion.
- Hongzhe Sun, Iolani. Seven-time gold medalist in state swimming with four state championship records.
- Koren Takeyama, Baldwin. Four-time all-state soccer player and bronze medalist in 2001 and '02 state track and field.
- Daniel Tautofi, Kaimuki. All-state football and all-state basketball player.
- Caylene Valdez, Moanalua. Four-time state wrestling champion and 2003 state judo champion.
