Saturday, June 9, 2001

Athletic directors
kill football
classification
proposal

But the proposal for a
paddling tournament moves
to a vote today

---

By Jason Kaneshiro
Star-Bulletin

Classification for the state high school football playoffs will have to wait at least another year.

A motion for a minority report regarding the two-tiered playoff system was withdrawn yesterday morning at the Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association meeting on the Big Island, effectively killing the proposal for this year.

The proposal introduced by Hawaii High School Athletic Association executive director Keith Amemiya called for eight-team state tournaments in two divisions and was defeated in Thursday's committee session by a 16-5 vote. A minority report, which would put the issue before the conference's general assembly today, was requested by some members of the committee. However, that request was taken off the table yesterday.

The next time the issue can be revisited is at next summer's HIADA conference on Kauai.

A proposal to establish a state paddling championship did survive the committee sessions and will be voted upon by the general assembly today.

The proposal was introduced by the Oahu Interscholastic Association. The Big Island Interscholastic Federation, Kauai Interscholastic Federation and Maui Interscholastic League have also expressed interest in holding a state championship, even though the OIA and Interscholastic League of Honolulu are the only leagues with programs.

Participation by at least three leagues is required to hold a state tournament.

The pride of Kalani

Shannon Hirai skipped the conference's golf tournament at the Waikoloa Kings Course to spend a sparkling afternoon locked in his hotel room.

Hirai, the Kalani High School baseball coach, stayed in to watch Nebraska pitcher and former Falcon star Shane Komine's performance in the College World Series. Joining Hirai were Kalani basketball coach Mark Pacarro and assistant athletic director Reid Segawa.

"At Kalani, a lot of athletes aren't proud of where they come from," Hirai said. "And somebody doing well from Kalani is big for our program. It's something to be proud of."

Komine was hit hard in the first inning and took the loss in the Cornhuskers' 5-4 defeat to Cal State-Fullerton. But Hirai was pleased with the way Komine battled back and kept Nebraska close throughout his complete-game performance.

"He did that when he played for us," Hirai said. "He would never quit."