The second annual For Kona From Kona 7-on-7 indoor soccer tournament wrapped up play at the hockey arena at Old Airport Park on July 5. The three day event included 17 teams made up of players from all over the
The second annual For Kona From Kona 7-on-7 indoor soccer tournament wrapped up play at the hockey arena at Old Airport Park on July 5. The three day event included 17 teams made up of players from all over the Big Island.
Money raised by the event is redistributed to high school students in the form of a college scholarship.
“This is a really good family tournament,” Paul Chinen said. “At night trucks will back up and the place will be packed with families sitting and watching.”
The first event took place two years ago and enough money was raised to offer two scholarships. However, last year the event was cancelled because there were no lights for the hockey rink. The new lights were put in place roughly two months ago and the tourney was able to kickstart once again.
The tournament was hosted by the father-daughter duo of Summer and Paul Chinen, and includes three different divisions: men, women and co-ed. Summer, who Paul gives credit to for putting the tournament together, is a graduate of Kealakehe High School.
The tournament is the only one on the Big Island that uses indoor soccer rules, despite technically being located outside. The area of play is much smaller than a soccer field, the ball can be played off the hockey rink walls and the only out-of-bounds area is behind the goals. Games are played with 20-minute halves.
Prizes were given to the winners of each division. The tournament is hosted by Holoholo Ministries.
