Konawaena High School quarterback Kahoali‘i Karratti has been named the Big Island Athlete of the Month for August.
Karratti, a junior, terrorized the Big Island Interscholastic Federation and two other Neighbor Island schools during the first four weeks of the prep football season.
During those four games, the right-armed quarterback threw for over 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns, with most of the damage done by multi-talented senior receivers Domonic Morris and Kenan Gaspar.
Last week in Kealakekua, the defending BIIF Division II champion Wildcats (3-1 overall) crushed Honokaa 49-13 in a dominating performance. Karratti threw for 377 yards and four touchdowns.
He earlier led Konawaena, under coach Cliff Walters, to a 48-12 win over D-I Hilo High, a 38-17 win over Maui High and a thrilling 43-40 loss to five-time defending state D-II champion Iolani on Oahu.
The Big Island athlete of the month program is sponsored by Don’s Grill, under owner Don Hoota. The athlete of the month as well as athlete and sportsperson of the year programs were founded by the late Jack Matsui.
Members of the selection committee are Hugh Clark, Ramon Goya, Stan Costales and chairman Bill O’Rear.
Nominations
Nominations for the September athlete of the month may be sent to Don’s Grill, 485 Hinano St., Hilo, HI 96720, or to Bill O’Rear, Tribune-Herald Sports, P.O. Box 767, Hilo, HI 96721; or e-mail borear@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
The deadline to submit nominations is Nov. 1.
2012 Athletes of the Month
• January: Jason Alani, NFL Punt, Pass & Kick national champion.
• February: State champions Konawaena (girls D-I basketball), Kamehameha (girls D-II basketball), Honokaa (boys D-II soccer) and swimming champions Anu Nihipali (Hawaii Prep) and Beth Tsuha (Hilo High).
• March: Kamehameha’s Akoakoa Paleka-Kennedy captured his second straight state heavyweight wrestling title.
• April: UH-Hilo softball standout Aisha Sueda.
• May: Waiakea baseball standouts Quintin Torres-Costa and Kodi Medeiros and Kamehameha volleyball star Evan Enriques and track champion Aukai Akau.
• June: Ronnie Loeffler, Hawaii Stars baseball pitcher.
• July: Madisyn Uekawa, Hilo Aquatic Club swimmer, who claimed five gold medals at the state age group long course swimming championships.
• August: Konawaena High quarterback Kahoali‘i Karratti.
