Takahashi says
Baldwin coach Shishido
wasn’t forced out

Barry Takahashi grew up with baseball and came upon his guru, so to speak, when he arrived at Baldwin High School.

Takahashi extracted a wealth of knowledge from longtime coach Kahai Shishido and went on to play pro baseball before returning to the Valley Isle as coach at Kamehameha-Maui.

When Shishido and his staff resigned recently, Takahashi wasn't altogether surprised. Talk of Shishido being forced out by anyone, he said, is somewhat exaggerated.

"I wouldn't say the parents pushed him out. I think there are other opportunities in front of him," Takahashi said, noting that Shishido is an acting assistant athletic director. By DOE rule, administrators are not permitted to coach high school sports.

"He's still in position to work with parents in the public eye, and he wants to be consistent with other sports, too," Takahashi said.

In addition, Shishido's children are getting older.

"I know Coach Shishido's always wanted to step away once his son reached high school age," Takahashi said.

An altercation involving Baldwin players and outsiders that led to a fight late last season put a blot on an otherwise successful season. Shishido, a teacher at Baldwin, considered forfeiting the rest of the season as a disciplinary measure. Instead, he dismissed one player and imposed a two-game suspension of eight seniors, forcing his team to forfeit two games.

Baldwin was unbeaten in MIL play prior to the suspensions and ranked in the Star-Bulletin Top 10. The Bears went on to win the MIL crown before losing in the opening round of the state tourney.

The negative reaction from some parents regarding the discipline was not the ultimate reason Shishido stepped down, according to Takahashi. Hindsight, he noted, shows that the work Shishido and his staff did over the years has left quite a legacy for a historically successful Baldwin program.

"For whatever reason he had for leaving, he still has his standards. He's helped many kids, some who may not have had a good family life, he's taken them into his home and helped them get onto the right path, made them a part of his family."

Baldwin won 10 MIL titles in 15 seasons under Shishido, as well as the 1995 state championship.

Ramirez stays with club team: Iolani girls volleyball coach Luis Ramirez, who is stepping down after this season, said he'll still coach the Asics Rainbows club.

"This is good time to reprioritize. Given that I am doing so many things, I do need to drop one of them," said Ramirez. "There are so many people that do support me with club and I want them to know I am not going to give that away."

Wolf Pack hunts for coach: Pac-Five is seeking applicants for the varsity boys soccer coaching position. Call John Hom, athletic director, at 595-6768.

Athletes of the week

Blaine Kobashigawa, Castle football: Caught 10 passes for 151 yards in an upset of then-No. 1 Kahuku.

GIRLS

Farrah Madanay, Punahou cross country: The freshman harrier won the Punahou Invitational with a time of 20 minutes, 37 seconds.

Honor roll

Evan Higuchi, Roosevelt: Paced the Rough Riders with a 249 against Kalaheo.

Jonathan Manguba-Glover, Kahuku: Led the Red Raiders with a score of 241 against McKinley.

BOWLING

Darrolyn Gasper, Mililani: Led the Lady Trojans with a 227 game against Nanakuli.

Patrick Hirakawa, Damien: Bowled a 643 series against Maryknoll.

Rich Kodama, Hawaii Baptist: Tallied a 235 against Kamehameha.

Cameron Kucic, Campbell: Rolled a 222 against Waialua.

Peter Mochizuki, Hawaii Baptist: Finished with a 606 series against Kamehameha.

Zachary Remigio, Aiea: Posted a 225 against Waianae.

Kyle Rzonca, Mililani: Tallied a 246 against Nanakuli.

Gilbert Santos, Pearl City: Posted a 226 against Kapolei.

Cheryl Sun, Mid-Pacific: Bowled a 254 game and 604 series against Punahou.

Shane Sunada, Kapolei: Rolled a 247 game against Pearl City.

Billy Viduya, Waipahu: Tallied a 609 series against Leilehua.

CROSS COUNTRY

Jeremy Kamakaala, Kamehameha: Won the Punahou Invitational with a time of 16:39.

FOOTBALL

Po'okela Ahmad, Kapolei: Had 10 tackles, including four for loss, in a win over Leilehua.

Alex Daniels, Radford: Rushed for 193 yards and three TDs at Waialua.

Kenneth Faumui, Farrington: Ran 25 times for 148 yards and three TDs in a win over Roosevelt.

Ikaika Fonseca, Castle: Recorded a team-high 12 tackles, including six solo and a sack, against Kahuku.

Gerald Ho, Kailua: Caught six passes for 118 yards against Kaimuki.

Ben Kahalehoe, Kapolei: Made eight tackles, including two sacks, against Leilehua.

Bryce Kalauokaaea, Castle: Completed 19 of 31 passes for 209 yards and three TDs against Kahuku.

Stanford Leti, Moanalua: Ran for 135 yards on 14 carries, scoring three times against Kaiser.

Miah Ostrowski, Punahou: Made nine catches for 126 yards and a score in a win over Saint Louis.

Corey Paredes, Castle: Made 11 tackles, including five solo, and broke up a pass against Kahuku.

Kekoa Perbera, Mililani: Rushed eight times for 124 yards and two touchdowns against Pearl City.

Kealoha Pilares, Damien: Ran for 176 yards and scored four times, including a 76-yard kickoff return for a score against Pac-Five.

Radford Raquedan, Kapolei: Rushed 15 times for 110 yards and two TDs against Leilehua.

Blake Soares, Castle: Posted seven tackles, including four solo and two for losses against Kahuku. Also recovered a fumble.

Shayson Suzuki, Castle: Made 11 tackles, including eight solo, against Kahuku. Also forced a fumble.

Matagi Toilolo, Castle: Had six tackles, including two for loss, against Kahuku. Also nailed a 30-yard field goal.

Aaron Wood, King Kekaulike: Ran for 105 yards on 13 carries against Kamehameha-Maui.

VOLLEYBALL

Samantha Lau, St. Francis: Served for five aces in a win over Lutheran.

Kawena Otineru, St. Francis: Made 12 kills against Lutheran.

Haililani Pokipala, Sacred Hearts: Made 16 kills and hit .400 with no errors in a win over La Pietra.

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