A leaky gym roof
puts a damper on
Honokaa’s girls
basketball team

If the leak in your roof is a pain in the okole, Daphne Honma can certainly empathize.

The Honokaa girls basketball coach saw her team win its Big Island Interscholastic Federation opener over Kamehameha-Hawaii on Thursday. After high winds and a constant downpour, Saturday's home game against Laupahoehoe was rained out.

The problem with the leaky roof at Honokaa's home gym has been a constant for years. Somewhat recently, boys basketball coach Cheyenne Meyer went up to the roof, walked on 4x4 beams and set a tarp over the most prominent holes.

That worked fine until Saturday, when the tarp became loose. It flapped around the roof before Honma realized that it was the same tarp Meyer had put down.

"There are two areas that leak," Honma said. "One is on the baseline. That gets a lot of action and the referees run there a lot, so that's dangerous. The other leak is off the court. If it rains and it's windy, there's another one that leaks at half court.

"The playing floor is still pretty good, except the spot by the baseline, where it's lifted. But that's from when the water fountain flooded," she added.

The facility, officially known as Lester Bryan Armory, is still property of the Hawaii National Guard. Situated next to the entrance to the school, it has an unusual setup. Spectator seating is located along one sideline and behind one of the baskets. A wall is directly behind the team benches.

The roof, however, is a problem.

"The armory roof is built kind of weird. If you look at the roof, there's no square panels. The National Guard knew they were pulling out their company, so they didn't (take care of) the facility," said Honma, who is a teacher at Honokaa.

"We proposed to split the cost of fixing it. They were talking about handing it over to us for last October, but there's a lot of red tape. They've pulled almost everything out except for the deed."

The structure, she added, is quite solid. It's just the roof that could be a problem through this wet spring season.

"The kids are the ones who are suffering because the roof is leaking, the toilets are bad. It's not in good shape. It's been a struggle between the state and I'm not sure who funds the National Guard."

State officials and private contractors have examined the roof.

Despite the problem, Honokaa has fielded quality basketball teams. The Dragons (8-3, 1-0 BIIF) are currently ranked No. 7 in the Star-Bulletin Girls Basketball Top 10.

For now, the Laupahoehoe-Honokaa game has been rescheduled for April 15, leaky roof permitting. The Dragons do not have a home game until then. They play at No. 2 Konawaena on Saturday.

Clinic drawing coaches: The May 20-21 event hosted by Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance now includes a coaches clinic.

On May 20, coaches from Arizona State, California, Hawaii, Nebraska, New Mexico State, San Diego State, Tennessee, UCLA and Washington will speak at the clinic. Topics include drills, fundamentals and basic schemes.

Interested coaches seeking to register or for more information can e-mail doris@pacificathleticalliance.com.

PIAA's combine will be held May 21 at Saint Louis. The combine is open only to selected student-athletes. Interested players should contact their coaches to participate in the combine.

PIAA director Doris Sullivan is seeking sponsorship help for the combine and clinic.

"We'd like to get a hotel or convention center to donate use of conference rooms," Sullivan said. "We also need help with supplies, video equipment rentals, food and beverages for 200."

The clinic is also in need of support.

"We need food and beverages, water for 150 (players), and donations for T-shirts and supplies," said Sullivan, who has helped hundreds of student-athletes connect with colleges at no charge.

For sponsorship information, call 261-5000.

Athletes of the week

BOYS

Nick Freitas, Kamehameha baseball: Went 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs against Damien and 2-for-4 against Mid-Pacific. He also hit a three-run homer vs. Iolani.

GIRLS

Stephanie Kono, Punahou golf: Won two ILH tourneys -- at Mid-Pacific Country Club with a 68 and at Mililani with a 67.

Honor roll

BASEBALL

Adam Arakawa, Moanalua: Went 3-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs.
Tristan Bailey, Campbell: Pitched a four-hitter with 10 strikeouts vs. Kapolei.
Kamalu Blaisdell, Keaau: Fired a two-hit shutout against Pahoa.
Joey Castro, Maui: Pitched a one-hitter with 12 strikeouts against King Kekaulike.
Trysen Cosier, Kamehameha-Hawaii: Had three hits against Hilo.
Dayne Dea Cruz, Moanalua: Homered vs. Kalaheo.
Darren Delodio, Roosevelt: Went 3-for-3 with two RBIs against Kalaheo.
Blayne Fuke, Mid-Pacific: Went 3-for-4 against Maryknoll.
Sean Fujii, Roosevelt: Went 3-for-4 vs. Kalaheo.
Kasey Ko, Punahou: Homered and drove in two runs at Iolani.
Kien Loo, Roosevelt: Went 2-for-4 with three RBIs.
Kip Masuda, Mid-Pacific: Homered and doubled with three RBIs against Maryknoll.
Kyson Morikuni, Iolani: Tripled and doubled against Kamehameha.
Landon Nakata, Punahou: Went 3-for-5 with a double at Iolani.
Kaeo Neal, Kalani: Went 3-for-4 with a double against Kaimuki.
John Olley, Leilehua: Had 12 strikeouts in a win at Radford. Also went 2-for-5 with a double and three RBIs.
Jared Pate, Punahou: Pitched a five-hit shutout against Mid-Pacific.
Kahoku Piho, Aiea: Pitched a one-hitter with 18 strikeouts against Waipahu.
Lance Powell, Aiea: Pitched a three-hitter with 12 strikeouts against Radford.
Jayson Rego, Kamehameha: Went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two stolen bases against Iolani.
Eric Saito, Baldwin: Had nine strikeouts in four shutout innings against St. Anthony.
Derrick Saito, Baldwin: Had 11 strikeouts against Kamehameha-Maui.
Waylen Sing Chow, Kamehameha: Posted wins over Damien and Iolani.
Sevy Tolentino, Leilehua: Went 3-for-3 with three RBIs vs. Nanakuli.
Chester Wilson, St. Louis: Went 3-for-3 with a double against Pac-Five.
Thomas Yamasaki, Pearl City: Went 2-for-3 with two doubles and three RBIs against Waipahu.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Kela Fitzgerald, Hawaii Prep: Scored 22 points against Ka'u.
Kelci Fushikoshi, Lahainaluna: Scored 26 points against Maui.

GOLF

Mari Chun, Kamehameha: Shot a 69 to place second in ILH girls tournament.
Brandon Isobe, Punahou: Shot a 69 to place second in ILH boys tournament.
Ricky Marumoto, Kalani: Shot a 70 to win the OIA East boys tournament at Ala Wai.
Kurt Nino, Damien: Shot a 74 to win at Mid-Pacific Country Club; shot a 68 to win ILH boys tourney No. 3.
Iris Ocariza, Moanalua: Shot a 75 to win the OIA East girls tournament at Ala Wai.

TRACK AND FIELD

Cheynah Farley, Castle: Won the 200- and 400-meter runs and the high jump at an OIA meet.

WATER POLO

Rebecca Fonoimoana, Kahuku: Scored six goals against Aiea.
Kehau Raines, Castle: Scored seven goals against Aiea.
Ivy Yi, Kalani: Scored six goals against Castle.

To nominate ...

To nominate an athlete of the week, contact the Star-Bulletin Sports Department by 11 p.m. Sunday:
Phone: 529-4782
Fax: 529-4787
E-mail: sports@starbulletin.com

A leaky gym roof puts a damper on Honokaa’s girls basketball team