The Big Island Interscholastic Federation's principals and athletic directors meet today to discuss safety concerns after rock-throwing and fighting incidents following the Honokaa vs. Ka'u basketball game last Saturday night. League addresses
rock throwingBy Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.comA Ka'u student who threw a punch at a Honokaa junior varsity player has been identified and disciplined, according to Ka'u principal Clayton Chun.
Honokaa athletic director Keith Tolentino said the Dragons player who was struck while about to board the team bus was "more shook up" than physically injured.
Chun said Ka'u is investigating to find out who threw rocks at the Honokaa bus as it exited the small town of Pahala. The rocks hit the outside of the bus, near a window and didn't cause any injuries.
"Overall, the conduct of the fans at the game was good and we think the boy who threw the punch acted alone. He's been told that this is a black eye for the community and the school," Chun said. "And we've addressed the student body about the rock throwing and asked them to come forward with any information on who did it."
Ka'u has put safety measures in place since the incidents.
"Starting with our next home game, we plan to have one or two policemen there at the game and to escort the buses," Chun said. "We'll also have school security there, and I'll be there to help patrol along with the vice principal and members of the athletic department. We're also trying to start a neighborhood security watch."
Several items are on the agenda for today's BIIF meeting, including the possibility of scheduling day home games at Ka'u or forcing the Trojans to play all games on the road.
Another rock-throwing incident apparently occurred during volleyball season when a St. Joseph's bus was leaving Pahala after a girls game against the Trojans. But Chun said Ka'u was never officially informed about it by either Roberts Hawaii, the bus company the BIIF uses, or by St. Joseph's.
Addressing Roberts Hawaii's safety concerns is also on today's BIIF agenda, according to Chun.
"We're concerned about the safety of the children and getting them home to their parents," said Annabelle Mata, a manager of Roberts Hawaii on the Big Island. "There were several dents on the bus and nicks on the windows. What if a rock ever hit the bus driver? We're also concerned about our equipment, so we want protection, such as a police escort to the main highway and security to watch the bus, even when it's idle."
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