Photo by Kathy Puhi.
Thanks to the establishment of travel teams for both girls and boys, Molokai Keiki athletes can now compete in soccer off-island.
On March 23 and 24, Molokai's girls team competed in the Kirk Banks 12 and Under Tournament on Oahu. The team, coached by Kathy Puhi and Naomi Bikoi, dominated their opponents, winning 7-0, 6-0, 6-0 in tournament play against West Oahu and Pearl City. They won the championship game with a score of 4-1. Kaiolohia Puhi, Kara Torres Umi-Napoleon and Zoe Place led the women's attack, scoring multiple goals in four games.
Photo credit: Sam Wescoat
The other Molokai travel team, a new team of boys and girls ages 12 and under, coached by Sam Westcoat, Andrew Valleau and Ryan Link, also had the opportunity to showcase their talent off-island. They finished with a 2-2 record in their division at the Kirkbanks Tournament, earning an impressive third place finish in their first competition.
With Molokai not having a spring soccer season for this age group, the travel team fills an important void in Molokai soccer.
Puhi and Bikoy started the women's travel team three years ago after the coronavirus pandemic subsided. With few other sports being played, many young athletes were looking to give soccer a try.
“It was just a dream and a wish,” Puhi said. “We found a group of girls who wanted to play at a high level of competition. So we banded together and got the parents involved as well.”
Puhi explained that travel soccer allows athletes to experience higher and different levels of competition.
Having grown up in Southern California, the mecca of American soccer, she wanted to give the children of Molokai the opportunity to experience more competition, travel, and camaraderie.
This year, a co-ed team was formed to give Molokai boys an opportunity to get involved.
“We just want them to have fun and develop a love for soccer,” Valho said. “It builds social skills…If you can't play as a team, you can't win games.”
Bikoy explained that the team combines keiki from different elementary schools on Molokai, so they can make new friends as well.
Both teams raised money for travel and accommodation through various fundraisers and sponsorships. Through things like pizza tickets, lemonade stands, and corn sales. Puhi said travel and lodging costs for off-island tournaments are expensive, costing about $8,000.
“I always want to thank the Molokai community for their support,” Bikoy said.
