12 will be inducted into Nissan Hall of Honor

Advertiser Staff

Three-time basketball state Player of the Year Derrick Low and multi-sport standouts Matt Bell, Sam Wilhoite and Sunshine Misa-Uli highlight the 22nd Nissan Hawai'i High School Hall of Honor class of inductees selected yesterday.

The 12 senior athletes — including the first inductee from Kealakehe High School — will be formally inducted at a banquet June 13 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 837-6036.

Each student-athlete will receive a $2,000 college scholarship and gold ring.

The banquet's keynote speaker will be Vince Goo, who recently retired as the University of Hawai'i women's basketball coach after 17 seasons.

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 264, representing 46 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:

• Matt Bell, Farrington: Two-time Advertiser All-State football player, two-year basketball letterman, first-team all-star in baseball.
• Tamarah Binek, Waiakea: Three-time league champion in cross country, three-time state gold medalist in swimming, all-star in water polo.
• Todd Blankenship, Iolani: First-team Advertiser All-State volleyball player, first-team all-league basketball player on state championship team, third-place in state high jump.
• Jordon Dizon, Waimea: Kaua'i Player of the Year in football (2002) and basketball (2003), state champion in track (4x100).
• Tia Ferguson, Seabury Hall: Individual state champion in cross country, state record holder (3,000-meter run) and six-time individual state gold medalist in track.
• Nancy Hoist, Konawaena: Two-time Big Island Player of the Year and Advertiser All-State first team (2002) in basketball, led school to first state championship.
• Kami Kapaku, Baldwin: Two-time Advertiser All-State first team and Maui Player of the Year in soccer, four-time all-league and three-time Maui Player of the Year in basketball.
• Derrick Low, Iolani: Four-time league Player of the Year and three-time state Player of the Year in basketball, Advertiser All-State first team in volleyball (2002).
• Kyle Teves, Kealakehe: Advertiser All-State first team in volleyball and basketball.
• Sunshine Misa-Uli, Farrington: Two-time individual state champion in wrestling, Advertiser All-State first team in basketball.
• Abel Werner, McKinley: Advertiser All-State first-team quarterback in football, first-team all-league in basketball.
• Sam Wilhoite, Kalaheo: Advertiser All-State first team in volleyball and basketball.