HONOLULU — Rich Hill saw an opportunity to empty his bench and took full advantage of it.

The Hawaii baseball team used all 17 of its position players — including first-time batter Itsuki Takemoto — and reached deep into its bullpen in a 13-1 midweek rout of little sibling Hawaii Hilo at Les Murakami Stadium on Tuesday night.

“It was great to see these guys compete,” Hill told Spectrum News. “Guys like Blake Hiraki, who’s meant so much to this program over four years. Getting Kamana (Nahaku) in there, getting Bronson (Rivera), and seeing our pitchers really compete. So that was awesome.”

Lineup regulars Kyson Donahue (2-for-3, three RBIs), Austin Machado (2-for-2, three runs) and Jake Tsukada (two walks, a hit by pitch and three runs) put up numbers while part-time starter Sean Rimmer belted his third homer of the season, best on the team among non-regulars.

Cory Ronan got the start and allowed Hilo’s only run, unearned, in the first inning. The first man out of the bullpen, Hunter Gotschall (1-1), went two innings with a walk to pick up the win. Six other relievers worked an inning each from there to round out the three-hitter.

UH (26-15, 9-9 Big West) has won five straight heading into this weekend’s three-game series against Big West co-leader Cal State Northridge (28-14, 14-4). The series opener is 6:35 p.m. Friday.

“I hope we have standing room only,” Hill said.

The ‘Bows are still well out of the BWC regular-season race, but with an RPI of under 90, have a chance to improve their resume for NCAA at-large consideration over the remaining 12 regular-season games.

UH improved to 4-0 against Division II competition this season, including 2-0 against Hilo. It’s closing in on its first 30-win season since 2012, which would be the first under third year coach Hill.

Takemoto, the freshman from Wakayama, Japan, entered the program billed as a two-way player but had so far appeared only as a right-handed pitcher.

That changed when he entered as a pinch hitter for Machado in the sixth inning. He struck out on four pitches against Jake Liberta in his first collegiate at-bat, but got a second chance as a designated hitter in the eighth and poked a single up the middle off of Waiakea High graduate Cody Hirata.

“He’s one of those guys in BP who’s shortened up everything,” Hill said. “He is exactly like (Shohei) Ohtani … it’s the whole batting stance and everything else. He’s got some juice in there. I’d like to get him some more reps. I think he’s got lightning in that bat; he just needs a lot of ABs.”

Hilo sophomore Tui Ickes, the older brother of UH third baseman Elijah Ickes, saw action at first base off the bench. But Elijah Ickes did not reach first with his brother manning the bag, nor did Tui Ickes reach third after drawing a walk.

UHH, led by coach Kallen Miyataki, was out of the running for the PacWest tournament and concluded its season at 19-31.

Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.

HONOLULU — The annual tradition of love for native Hawaiian culture and the symbolic lei continues with the 96th Lei Day Celebration taking place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 1 at the Kapiolani Park Bandstand.

In keeping with this year’s theme, the public is invited to “Komo mai kāu māpuna hoe” or “Dip your paddle in,” in other words, join in the effort. In this case, join in the fun and celebration as the skill and artistry of lei makers are showcased in the lei exhibit and local entertainment and hula halau take to the stage.

The Lei Day Court typically consists of one queen, first princess and princess. However, 2024 Lei Queen Tehina Kaʻena Kahikina will reign over this year’s festivities with her court of five princesses — Princesses Angela Jeanell Cezar Miranda, Makana Marie Wilson, Madison Kamalei Espinas, Sara No‘eau Campbell and Lulani Kaehulaniokekai Chung-Kuehu.

This isn’t the first time there have been more than two princesses.

“I can remember, just in my time, 2007, we had seven,” said Gina Loveland, a former employee with the Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation from 2005 until after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“They protested. That was the time of (Daveanne) Manu Anana; before they even competed, they clicked. So they informed us,” said Loveland with a smile. Wanting to stay together as a group, the women said they were willing to contribute in paying for any additional costs the larger group would incur. “Anana was almost like the perfect queen. She was inclusive,” said Loveland.

Loveland said she was impressed by Anana who performed her dance at the Kapiolani Park bandstand on Lei Day, easily maneuvering up and down the bandstand’s many steps like “Dorothy Lamour on the stage.”  

Although she has since retired from the department, Loveland — together with her husband, Dennis, also a former DPR employee — continues to attend the annual event and help where she can.

Over many years, Lei Day drew her in like a fisherman pulling in his net because of the culture, authenticity and mainly the people — staff, lei makers, residents and visitors.

Loveland joined lei-making classes, learning the different sewing methods, and also met master lei makers such as Brian Choy, his brother Reynold, and Bill Char. “They’re so humble. And they did actually grow plants for lei.” Loveland said there was an atmosphere of sharing and widening the circle. She said they used to go hiking to find different ferns for the lei, something she wishes she had experienced.

She also learned much about the native florals. “One year the featured flower (of Lei Day) was ʻaʻaliʻi. And I’m thinking, ‘What the heck does it look like.’” Today she knows it’s a “brush and it’s supposed to like the wind and is known for being strong because it’s being buffeted.”

(Photo courtesy of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation)

Those wanting to enter a fresh flower lei in the contest can do so between 7:30 and 9 a.m. at the Lei Receiving Booth on event day. Following the judging and official opening of the exhibit by the Lei Court, the public will get to view the exhibit from 1 to 4:45 p.m.

The public can also enjoy performances by the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lei Exhibit area, and artisans sharing their skills in the Kūlana Lei village. Vendors and event sponsors will also sell crafts, lei and food.

To Loveland, Lei Day is more than just an event. “Once I learned about the culture and met the people … it just really resonated.”

In addition to Lei Day, the public is also invited to attend the closing ceremony for the Lei Day Celebration that will be held the next day, May 2, at Mauna ʻAla (The Royal Mausoleum) at 9 a.m., and at Kawaiāhaʻo Church at about 10:15 a.m. Tradition calls for placing lei from the lei contest onto the graves of Hawaii’s aliʻi, royalty, at these two locations.

As much as Loveland enjoys the Lei Day Celebration, she deeply appreciates going to Mauna ʻAla and Kawaiāhaʻo Church. “I feel the respect, the origin (of Native Hawaiian culture). I also think most people think of lei as a tourist kind of thing.”

Loveland shares a story of one of her neighbors, a kūpuna named Austin, who was raised “Hawaiian style.” Whenever his mother or father went out to holoholo, Austin and his siblings would have to make lei for them. “Thatʻs why a lot of times when Austin — when he could walk — would come back with flowers all around his hat. He would pick flowers on the way. That was the culture,” said Loveland.

(Photo courtesy of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation)

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“There’s an aura when you enter the grounds of Mauna ʻAla,” reflects Loveland. “There’s definitely an air of … I’m going to say peacefulness. I don’t want to say ‘somber’ because I don’t feel it’s sad. You can hear the pali, the traffic … but yeah, peaceful.”

Loveland says the crypt has been opened for the public to enter. “Dennis and I have gone down the steps with umbrellas helping the kūpuna.”

She explains that lauhala mats are put down first, then the natural lei — the lei made with yarn or other craft items are returned to their makers — from the lei contest exhibit are lined up on top of the mats. “The queen gets to choose first, then princesses, then staff, to give as hoʻokupu to the aliʻi.”

Loveland adds, “You go through an entryway and you can see the names engraved in the wall. There’s definitely awe … reverence. And definitely, history.”

Lei Day schedule:

• 9-9:45 a.m. – Performance by the Royal Hawaiian Band
• 10-10:45 a.m. – Kilohana Hula Show by the Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement presented by Southwest Airlines
• 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. – Lei Court Ceremony
• 1-1:35 p.m. – Ei Nei performance
• 1:50-2:25 p.m. – Hōkū Zuttermeister performance
• 2:50-3:25 p.m. – Hoʻokena performance
• 3:40-4:10 p.m. – Mana Maoli Youth Collective performance
• 4:10-4:45 p.m. – Hālau Hula ʻO Hokulani performance

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.

A very special birthday was recently celebrated in Hawaii: Earlier this month, on April 12th, the oldest “patient” living on the historic Kalaupapa Peninsula, John Arruda, celebrated his 100th birthday.

Turning a hundred is a monumental occasion regardless of where you live and what your story is; however, this centennial celebration carried a bit more weight given the circumstances surrounding his life and residence.

A Historic Birthday in a Historic Place

The Kalaupapa Peninsula is located on the north shore of Molokai and is one of the most unique places in all the islands.

In the mid-1800s, a leprosy epidemic broke out in Hawaii. Worried that it would spread too rapidly through the population, the Hawaiian Monarchy sent all those infected with the disease into forced isolation on the Kalaupapa Peninsula, which is walled off from the rest of the island by tall sea cliffs and the ocean.

From the mid-1800s until the mid-1900s, about 8,000 people were sent to Kalaupapa to live and die, alongside other infected patients, in quarantine.

It wasn’t until after World War II that modern-day treatments for leprosy became available and allowed the forced isolation to end. Many patients – now technically former patients – decided to stay at Kalaupapa, however, as it had become their home.

Today, eight former patients, including Arruda, remain on the register at Kalaupapa, some still living on the peninsula.

“John’s refusal to be defined by adversity, and his determination to embrace life with boundless energy and joy, are an invaluable testament to the power of hope and the human spirit,” Governor Josh Green wrote in a public tribute. “His tireless advocacy for the preservation of Kalaupapa’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honoring our shared history and cherishing our communities, and his infectious laughter and zest for life are a constant source of inspiration to those around him.”

In 1980, Kalaupapa became a National Historic Park and eventually opened to visitation by the general public. Tours welcomed 100 people per day and showcased what life was like on the peninsula during the height of the epidemic.

Close, But Still Closed

But now, the birthday celebration comes as Kalaupapa enters its 5th year of closure following the COVID-19 pandemic. All health restrictions have been lifted, but a combination of factors has kept the Park closed, including the safety of trails, a restructuring of flights into and out of the peninsula, and a unique tour operator arrangement, among others.

Pressure has been heating up of late for the National Historic Park to reopen to visitors, and Park staff recently said it was “close” to reopening. But for now, travelers heading to Hawaii this year should be aware that this particular National Park site remains closed and inaccessible.

You can read the full story of Kalaupapa’s history and the hurdles of its reopening in a recent article on CNN for National Park Week.