When Ka‘u senior Kamalani Fujikawa played volleyball for the Trojans, she could hear the enthusiasm from her own cheering section — her parents and two sets of grandparents, the positive push that motivates her.
She recently signed a national letter of intent with Shoreline Community College, in Shoreline, Wash., becoming the first in her family to play collegiate ball, and providing the Fujikawa and Davis sides another reason to cheer.
“I’m so excited. There are not a lot of people from Ka‘u who have the opportunity to go somewhere after graduation, and I’m grateful that I’m one of them,” Fujikawa said.
She’s the daughter of Riley Fujikawa and Shaunda, a health nurse at Naalehu Elementary. She has a 3.4 grade point average and plans to major in psychology with an eye toward a career as an addiction counselor.
“I’ve always wanted to help those with addiction problems,” Fujikawa said.
Being big-hearted is one of her roles as the school’s vice president. She’s also a National Honors Society and Interact Club member.
“Vice president is a really hard job. You’re in charge of the whole school,” Fujikawa said. “You have to plan activities and when a new student comes in you eat lunch with them and give them a tour of the campus. Our school is not that big, so it’s pretty fast.”
Last season, the Dolphins finished 21-15 and fell to Clackamas in four sets in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges championships.
Fujikawa will be more than 2,400 miles from home. If she misses home, she can always think about her grandparents.
“My motivation is my family. My grandpa (Raymond Fujikawa) had an opportunity to play college baseball in Washington, but his parents couldn’t afford it,” Fujikawa said. “I’m so happy I have the opportunity to make my family proud, and being from Ka‘u.”
