KAILUA-KONA — After a seven-year hiatus, Ke Kula ‘O ‘Ehunuikaimalino girls volleyball is back in business.
For the first time since the 2017 season, the ‘Io have fielded a varsity volleyball team to take part in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) fall season. Practicing and playing its home games in Old Kona Airport’s gymnasium, the Ehunui school community is nothing short of excited.
“The girls are doing really well and they’re very confident,” head coach and school educator Hokulani Reyes told West Hawaii Today at a recent practice. “A lot of our younger students have come out to support them as well, so it’s been great for us as a team.”
The ‘Io had junior varsity teams in years past — as recent as the 2023 season. But the Hawaiian language immersion school from Kealakekua had trouble fielding enough players to join varsity. The institution’s high school only has about 40 total students.
But once a few of Ehunui’s junior varsity members reached upper-class age and a few freshman girls expressed interest, the possibility of forming a varsity squad looked more and more real. The team was then officially formed — rostering three seniors, three juniors, three sophomores and six freshmen.
“We’re always excited when we have our athletics program growing,” Reyes said. “But now it’s our job (as a coaching staff) to get them to believe in themselves. They sometimes question themselves, so we’re trying to teach them to have the right mental strength — no matter what school we’re playing.”
Because the ‘Io are a new team, the group spent some time looking for a practice facility prior to the season. Once it picked Kekuaokalani Gymnasium in the late summer, Ehunui only had time for one practice before its season opener against BIIF powerhouse Hawaii Prep Academy on Aug. 19. While the ‘Io fell to Ka Makani in the match, the team quickly rebounded and won its next match against Kanu o ka ‘Aina in four sets on Aug. 26 — officially clinching the school’s first varsity win of the 2020s.
“We were all really excited for that win,” Ehunui senior Kealana Puhi said. “We were all very happy and cheerful — our fans included.”
Reyes also pointed out the team’s noticeable sisterhood bond thus far in 2024, noting how important roster camaraderie is for a new team.
“Our older players really like to guide some of our younger girls,” she said. “They very much enjoy taking care of each other like they’re siblings.”
“Our bond has definitely been a strength for us,” senior Ku‘uleimokihana Okuhara added.
No matter what happens this season for the ‘Io, a successful campaign for Reyes and her coaching staff would be fostering a playing environment in which all of the girls are eager to play in — one that will encourage other students at Ehunui to join the team in the future.
“I want everyone to be in a space where they’re ready to play and compete,” she said. “We also want them to know that it doesn’t matter what school you play for … any team can succeed. You don’t need to transfer to another school to play a sport — we have sports and we have the talent here.”
“We just want to keep building our bond stronger, win or lose,” senior Kaiolohia Kahoonei said. “Having positive energy will be important.”
Those interested in watching Ehunui in its resurgence season can next see the ‘Io take on Kohala at 5 p.m. Wednesday at Old Airport.
Ka‘u 3, Ka Umeke 0
Ka‘u girls volleyball handled Ka Umeke in straight sets Thursday on the road.
The Trojans won each set convincingly — 25-10, 25-12 and 25-14. Ka‘u is now at 3-1 in the early season. Ka Umeke is 0-1.
The Trojans will return to action against Laupahoehoe at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Pahala. Ka Umeke will next face KS-Hawai‘i at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Kea‘au.