Hawaii’s Ota, Ishii,
Hines qualify for Sony

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Amateur Jonathan Ota beat all comers at Waialae Country Club yesterday to earn the Aloha section PGA's berth in the 2002 Sony Open.

David Ishii and Tommy Hines earned the two professional spots by parring the 72-hole course.

But they could not keep up with Ota, who was the only one to beat the course with a 1-under-par 71. Ota jumped out to a quick lead, shooting a 34 on the front nine and making it stand up with a 37 on the back. Brandan Kop nearly overcame a five-stroke deficit, crawling within one shot when the match ended. Because only one amateur qualifies, Kop will stay home.

Ken Springer of Hokulia finished one shot away from tying Ishii and Hines.

The field was made up of 51 professionals and the 12 elite amateurs who made up this year's Governor's Cup team.

Kawamata takes over Leilehua football program

Jake Kawamata has been named the new varsity football coach at Leilehua High School.

Kawamata replaces Cass Ishitani, who stepped down last month after seven seasons.

Kawamata, a physical education teacher at Leilehua, last coached eight years ago as Leilehua's defensive coordinator under former coach Gary Clark.

"He's on campus and he knows most of the boys," Leilehua athletic director Richard Townsend said. "He was an asset to the team when he worked with Gary Clark. He knows the game and had wanted to get back in it and figured this was as good a time as any."

Kawamata inherits a Leilehua team that went 0-8 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference this fall. The Mules will compete in the OIA White Conference next season.

Atuaia named WAC Player of the Week

Hawaii's April Atuaia got the first weekly honor of her career yesterday, being named the WAC Player of the Week.

Atuaia, a sophomore from Laie, helped the Wahine finish second in the Tesoro Invitational last week.

She scored a career-high 23 points and added nine rebounds in a loss to No. 9 Baylor and added 10 points and eight rebounds the next day against Illinois-Chicago.

Flanagan, U.S. team unbeaten in water polo

Maureen Flanagan of Honolulu has scored two goals in the United States junior national team's run through the junior women's water polo world championships.

The US has beaten Greece, Italy and New Zealand and tied with host Australia. The team plays Venezuela today.

Pipeline Masters could start with a swell today

The third and final jewel of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing -- the Xbox Pipeline Masters -- is set for a possible 8 a.m. start today.

The official holding period for the event is Dec. 8-17, but the past two days of small surf and a forecast for the arrival of a new swell today encouraged competitors and officials to wait.

Kalilikane wins junior golf tour tournament

Bronson Kalilikane shot a 174 over two rounds to beat Sang Hyun Park in a Golf Team Hawaii junior tournament for ages 13-17 at Mililani Golf Course yesterday.

Kalilikane shot the best score in both rounds, putting up a 73 after 18 holes and a 74 on the second 18.

Shari Horio and Brittany Austin won the girls tournament with scores of 184.