Lahainaluna became the first Maui Interscholastic League team to advance to the Hawaiian Airlines Girls Basketball State Championship game last night, holding off Punahou, 64-56, in semifinal action at Blaisdell Arena.

The No. 2 seed Lunas improved to 16-0 in the regular and postseason and will face defending state champ Konawaena (12-0) at 7 o'clock in tonight's title game at Blaisdell.

The game will be televised live statewide on OC16.

"It feels good, but our mission is to win the state championship," said Lahainaluna junior point guard Maiki Viela, who scored a game-high 29 points last night. "We have to come out with the same intensity that we had today."

Viela's three-point play with 3:30 remaining in the third period gave the Lunas the lead for good at 34-33, and Trina Akima's layup stretched it to 57-44 with 3:53 left in the game.

The No. 3 seed and Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion Buffanblu (12-2) could not get closer than seven points the rest of the way.

Lahainaluna's All-State post, Milika Taufa, picked up her third foul with 53 seconds remaining in the first period and sat out the rest of the half, but Viela scored 15 points in the first two quarters and the score was tied 25-25 at the break.

PUNAHOU (12-2) 12 13 11 20—56

LAHAINALUNA (16-0) 14 11 18 21—64

PUNAHOU — Kaylin Okuma 2, Jennifer Hwang 0, Khaliyah Thompson 8, Janet Li 2, Turner Wong 3, Brittnie Lau 5, Demi Suzuki 0, Mysha Sataraka 11, Ashley-Anne Feria 0, Julia Brand 6, Jennifer Ching 2, Kysa Ludviksen 2, Hailey-Ann Maeda 15. Totals 21 12-18 56.

LAHAINALUNA — Kelsea Cabrera 0, Maiki Viela 29, Trina Akima 10, Ana-Marie Lauese 3, Milika Taufa 15, Hiilei Bacalso 5, Akanesi Malamala 2. Totals 20 21-28 64.

3-point goals — Punahou 2 (Lau, Wong). Lahainaluna 3 (Viela, Akima, Bacalso).