Kailua’s Akina,
Kamehameha’s Nohara
are world-record
powerlifters
Two Hawaii high school athletes -- Kailua's Keoki Akina and Kamehameha's Randolyn Nohara -- are world-record holders in powerlifting.
Akina holds 12 world powerlifting marks, according to coach Keith Ward of Fear God Powerlifting Club in Waimanalo.
Akina set his latest record at the World Association of Benchpressers and Deadlifters world championship meet at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas in December by benching 203 pounds in the Teen Boys 14-15 (114-pound) division.
Nohara set two records in the Teen Girls 13-15 (198-pound) division by benching 253.5 and deadlifting 363.7.
Akina's family was homeless five years ago, according to Ward, who has witnessed Keoki's transformation into a top athlete.
"Keoki, his mom and three siblings were living under a blue tarp with a bed near a chicken coop, and that was rough," Ward said. "The mom has been working full-time for three years now and they have a place to live."
Nohara is a varsity wrestler and a JV softball player at Kamehameha. This is her first year as a powerlifter.
"She has had great family support -- emotionally, physically and spiritually," Ward said about her quick rise in the sport. "And she has the right nutrition, which plays a big role in creating muscle mass."
No boys soccer at Nanakuli: Nanakuli has fielded a girls soccer team for six years, but the Golden Hawks have never had a boys squad.
"We've done surveys and they always show that the interest is not that high (for boys soccer) here," Nanakuli athletic director Hugh Taufaasau said. "We just don't have the turnout, with only 360 boys going to our school."
Taufaasau said many of the boys involved in fall sports such as football and cross country move on to join wrestling or basketball in the winter and baseball or track in the spring.
It's noteworthy that Nanakuli doesn't have a youth soccer program.
Bulldogs forfeit season: The Waialua softball team forfeited its season due to a lack of players, according to athletic director Sharon Yoshimura.
The decision was made before the holidays.
"We had about nine or 10 kids to begin with (at tryouts)," she said. "But some decided to go and work or do other things."
Yoshimura said she's disappointed that there isn't a softball team and is hopeful that enough girls will be interested to field a team next season.
Senas hurt: Mililani standout shortstop Charity Senas injured the posterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, according to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
She is expected to miss six weeks and may make it back in time for the playoffs.
The Trojans (3-0) are strong contenders for the Oahu Interscholastic Association and state softball titles. They won five OIA titles between 1997 and 2002.
Red Raider threat: Kauai High School basketball player Va'afuti Tavana had some top-notch performances in the Hilo basketball tournament over the holiday break.
He scored 24 against eventual champion Temecula Valley (Calif.) and then followed up on consecutive nights with 39 against Maryknoll and 39 against Pearl City.
"He's the real deal," said The Garden Island newspaper Sports Editor Dennis Fujimoto, who sees a potential dynamite one-on-one, frontcourt battle this season between Tavana and Waimea's Lanikai Kanahele.
Rams have openings: Radford is looking for head coaches for boys and girls volleyball.
Interested coaches can send a resume to Eddie Maruyama, Radford High School athletic director, 4361 Salt Lake Blvd., Honolulu, HI, 96818.
The deadline to apply is Jan. 25.
Hawaii School Web Sites