Lavaman Triathlon, the designated USA Triathlon Hawaii State Championship race, will take place on the west side of the island this upcoming weekend. The 15k swim, 40k bike and 10k run will start Sunday morning at Waikoloa Beach Resort.
The event starts with the athletes swimming around a designated course in Anaeho‘omalu Bay that is guarded by canoes and kayaks. The athletes then transition to the bike portion, in which they ride south down Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway before circling back up to the resort. Competitors end with their run through a lava field trail and the Hilton Waikoloa Village resort property.
The event also has a new “Duathlon” option, in which athletes can elect to run a 3.1-kilometer route instead of the full 10-kilomter option in the running race.
There is no qualification to compete. The top 35% or top-five finishers in each age group will officially qualify for the 2025 USA Triathlon Olympic and Sprint-Distance National Championships on Sept. 13-15 in Atlantic City, N.J.
Registration is still currently open to anyone interested in competing. Hawaii residents who bring identification will pay $375, while out-of-state athletes must pay $399. Military members can compete on a discounted rate of $275. Ages 14 through 18 cost $200.
For any athlete that wants to split the race with one or two people, Lavaman is also offering a relay option. A two-person relay is $270 per person, while a three-person will be $230.
For any keiki athletes, the LavaKids Youth Aquathon and Keiki Dash Race will begin 8:30 a.m. Sunday before the main race. Ages 7-10 can swim 100 meters and run one kilometer, while 11-14 can swim 200 meters and race two kilometers. Race check-in can be found at the bottom of Grand Staircase next to the Lavaman Expo from 7 to 8:15 a.m.
Registration for any of the events listed above can be found at lavamantriathlon.com.
VOLLEYBALL: KS-HAWAI‘I 3, KEA‘AU 0
The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i boys varsity volleyball team notched its fifth straight win and first sweep of the season, downing homestanding Kea‘au High in sets of 25-19, 25-18 and 25-14 on Monday night in Puna.
KSH’s Nainoa Paio had a great game, leading the Warriors’ offense with eight kills and four aces. Setter Kalena Launiu also contributed 20 assists. So far this season, Paio leads the Warriors with 39 kills.
Following a Tuesday night home game against Hilo High (results will be published later), KSH will next host Kealakehe High on Monday, April 8.
The Warriors stand at No. 6 in the state, per this week’s ScoringLive power rankings. Hilo is the only other BIIF team above the cut, ranking No. 8. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) currently dominates the top ranking, with Punahou School at No. 1, ‘Iolani at No. 2 and KS-Kapalama at No. 3.
The Cougars’ skid extended to five losses, and they have yet to notch their first win. Kea‘au will look to get in the win collumn tonight, as it faces Waiakea High (1-4) in Hilo.
HPA 3, CLA 0
Hawaii Prep Academy boys volleyball made quick work of Christian Liberty Academy on Monday night, sweeping the Canefire 25-14, 27-25 and 25-17 for its second win of the season.
Now at 2-2 in 2024, Ka Makani will try to get in the win column again against Makua Lani — slated for 6 p.m. Thursday in Castle Gym. CLA (1-3) will try to get back on track against Konawaena at 6 p.m. tonight at home in Kea‘au.
SOFTBALL: WAIAKEA 16, KEA‘AU 1
After suffering its first loss of the season last week, Waiakea High’s softball team got back into domination mode on Tuesday as the Warriors routed Kea‘au High 16-1 in Hilo.
Though it was a rough outing for the Cougars as a team, it wasn’t so bad for Tiani Kaupu — who hit a two-run homer in the top of the third inning to put Kea‘au on the board.
Kaitlyn Miura pitched all four innings of the run-ruled affair for WHS, allowing no hits other than Kaupu’s homer and surrendering just two walks while striking out nine.
Keani Kaneshiro dominated at the plate, going three-for-three with two doubles to bat in four runs and score two. Jhayda Rose Turner also showed out, going two-for-three and driving in a run.
Now 7-1, Waiakea has one game remaining — senior night on Friday against BIIF DII leader KS-Hawai‘i (4-2).
Though the Cougars fell to 1-4, they saved plenty of outings for the late season — and will look to turn things around by winning their next matchup on Saturday at home against DII’s Honoka‘a High (2-5).
KOHALA 4, HONOKA‘A 3
The Kohala High softball team’s softball season has come with plenty of highs and lows — and thankfully for the Cowgirls, Monday afternoon was another high.
Kohala came back from a 2-0 deficit and broke away from a tie in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome Honoka‘a High 4-3 in Kapa‘au — advancing to a 3-4 overall record and 3-1 home field record.
Kalia Marquez led Kohala at the plate, going two-for-four. Kana‘i Tolentino led Honoka‘a, going three-for-four — including a solo homer to right field in the second inning — and driving in two RBIs
The Dragons dropped to 2-5, but are still in the BIIF DII playoff race at No. 4 in the league. Next up, Honoka‘a will look to make a statement by taking down a DI opponent in Kea‘au this weekend.
The Cowgirls will have some time to savor their victory, also next facing Kea‘au on April 13 for their senior night in North Kohala.
BASEBALL: HONOKA‘A 12, KOHALA 0
Kinohi Lindsey tripled twice, going three-for-three with three RBIs to lead Honoka‘a High’s baseball team over Kohala High, 12-0, on Monday afternoon for a succesful trip to the other side of the isle’s northern valleys.
Issac DeRego and Josiah Napoleon-Umeda combined for the shutout, surrendering just four hits and three walks total as DeRego struck down one batter and Napoleon-Umeda took out four.
It’s been a rough season for the Cowboys, who sit in the cellar of BIIF DII at 1-6. With three outings remaining, there’s no chance to reach .500, but still ample opportunity to get some wins and have some fun.
Next Tuesday (April 9), Kohala will host Konawaena High (4-2).
Honoka‘a will look to get its first win streak going as it travels to Puna this weekend to take on Kea‘au.