WAIMEA — Hawaii Preparatory Academy athletic director Steve Perry jokes that keeping track of all the Ka Makani soccer players who have signed on to play at the next level in recent years is becoming an increasingly complicated task.
Perry can add three more names to his to-do list next year, with Ka Makani senior standouts Emalia Higgins, Tage Boyette and Sihkea Jim all recently inking their intents to play at the next level.
The trio signed their official letters of intent during a ceremony at the school’s gymnasium on Thursday.
Both Higgins and Jim will head to Colorado School of Mines, while Boyette has booked a much longer trip to Cardiff Metropolitan University in Wales to pursue his next-level ambitions.
“We have been fortunate to have some very talented kids come through our school,” Perry said. “They have their foot in the door, so now they have a chance to continue doing what they love for a few more years.”
Higgins plays for Perry’s Ka Makani girls program, which has won the last five HHSAA Division II state titles. Higgins has been named the BIIF Division II player of the year in back to back seasons and is one of the premier goal scorers in the state.
She joins an impressive Orediggers squad that recently wrapped up its season at 19-1-2, falling in the second round of the NCAA Division II Tournament on penalty kicks to Dallas Baptist.
“It’s been a long ride but I was so happy to sign and get it done,” Higgins said. “When Mines reached out, I went and did a visit, fell in love with the campus and the rest fell into place.”
Higgins said seeing former Ka Makani players move on to play at the college level pushed her to pursue it as a goal of her own.
“That set a big example for me,” Higgins said, referencing former Hawaii Prep standouts Marlie Mandaguit and Kaui Taylor, who — among others — have found college soccer homes.
Perry thinks Higgins will fit right in on the field and in the classroom.
“She’s such a force physically on the field. She’s going to need that at the next level and she has the ability to score goals, which isn’t easy in soccer,” Perry said. “I’m impressed with her whole process. She had some schools knocking on her door, but I feel like she knew what she wanted and went to a school that she felt fit best. The soccer was a bonus.”
Academically, Colorado Mines is, “devoted to engineering and applied science, with a special focus on development and stewardship of the Earth’s resources.”
Higgins said that was right up her alley.
“Right now for a major I’m thinking computer science or electrical engineering, but we’ll see,” Higgins said. “I have some time to decide.”
It’s a similar story for Jim, who is also heading to Golden, Colorado, next year to join the Orediggers men’s program.
“I love engineering and that’s perfect for Mines,” Jim said with a big smile moments after signing on. “I can’t wait.”
Jim, an all-BIIF defender with Hawaii Prep, has been a key piece for Ka Makani during three state title runs — a pair in Division II and last year in the school’s debut year in Division I.
“Winning adds to the fun, but even if we didn’t win I think I would have had the same amount of fun,” Jim said. “Playing with this group of boys has been special.”
He’s also made a big impact with his Kona Crush club program.
“Myself, all my staff, all the players, all the parents — we all know one fact which remains steady and true: Sihkea Jim is the most outstanding character in the soccer community,” Kona Crush Soccer Academy Director of Coaching Vinny La Porta said. “The Crush ‘00B’ team are all very good boys. They take amazing care of each other. They have aloha, respect for elders, and kindness. They have ego and big energy but it never treads on those around them. They all follow Sihkea lead in that regard. He is hands down the most honorable, responsible and respectful young leader I’ve ever coached.”
Change is never easy, but at least Higgins and Jim will have each other to rely on when they go from the wonderful Waimea weather to the snow-covered fields of Colorado.
“Emi and I have been friends since pre-kindergarten so it will be fun to have someone I know up there,” Jim said.
As for the cold, they’re looking to make the best of it.
“I’m excited,” Higgins said. “Maybe I’ll be able to get some skiing in.”
Boyette has a 7,000-mile plus trip ahead of him to get to his next stop in Wales at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
“It seemed like a great opportunity to get out of the country, play some soccer and have some fun,” Boyette said.
The Ka Makani senior is looking forward to being in a play where athletically soccer reigns supreme.
“Soccer is everything there,” Boyette said. “The season is 10 months compared there to four here.”
Like Jim, Boyette also made an impression on his Crush club coach La Porta, who sees the trip to the UK as a perfect fit.
“Tage is a very mature thinker for his age. He knows about the real world already — no cloth over his eyes,” La Porta said. “He has an independence and a confidence that make a move abroad the perfect fit for his next phase of scholastics and soccer. I’m so happy for him and can’t wait to get an invite to visit him in Cardiff — an awesome city.”
All three student-athletes still have a full high school season left to play. The Hawaii Prep girls begin the BIIF season and a quest for a sixth straight state title on Nov. 27 against Makua Lani. The Ka Makani boys start begin their title defense under first-year head coach James Berry on Nov. 29 against Keaau.
