The standard at Konawaena has always been high.
From Nancy Hoist in the early 2000s to Lia Galdeira in the 2010s to Caiyle Kaupu in 2020, the Wildcats have set the standard in the BIIF; now, the new standard bearer is Kaliana Salazar-Harrell.
Voted by the league’s coaches as the BIIF Division I Player of the Year, Salazar-Harrell led the Wildcats to their 12th BIIF Championship in 13 years and another appearance in the HHSAA Division I State Championship.
“She’s an idol for all these younger girls coming into our program,” said Konawaena co-head coach Dawnyelle Awa. “She showed what it takes.”
First chosen as a team captain for Konawaena as a freshman, Kaliana Salazar-Harrell’s leadership was one certainty the Wildcats could rely on during the unpredictable two years brought on by the pandemic.
“I think the biggest challenge was not having access to the gym; we were practicing on the outdoor courts for over a year,” said Awa, who – along with co-head coach Bobbie Awa – was chosen as the BIIF Division I Coach of the Year. “Not getting shots up in a normal basket, using our shooting machine, just not having anything on the island for the girls. No games, no leagues, nothing.”
One thing Awa could count on was Salazar-Harrell – already a two-time first-team All-BIIF selection – putting in the work to make sure the Konawaena dynasty continued to roll on.
“Kali was chosen as a team captain all four years – well, three – just because of her work ethic,” said Awa. “She puts in a lot of work outside of just practices.”
That work ethic ensured the Wildcats picked up in 2022 exactly where they left off in 2020: as the top team in the BIIF. Salazar-Harrell poured in 30 points in Konawaena’s 75-16 victory Jan. 10 over Honokaa, their first game on the Big Island since 2020.
Of course, Salazar-Harrell’s supporting cast had plenty of talent; junior Braelyn Kauhi was named to the first team, seniors Kayla Pak and Juliana Losalio-Watson earned nods on the second team and Rebekah Fong and Sanoe Kihe were honorable mentions.
That Wildcat squad rolled through the BIIF, winning their nine games by an average of 39.9 points. Only twice was Konawaena’s margin of victory less than double figures: Jan. 22’s 38-34 victory over Hilo and Feb. 9’s 57-48 BIIF Championship victory over Waiakea, where Salazar-Harrell once again led the way with 27 points.
The senior guard’s combination of silky-smooth ball handling, consistent ability to finish in the paint and deadly jump shot made her a nightmare for opponents to defend, as Lahainaluna discovered in their state semifinal contest. After a tight first half that saw the Wildcats lead by just one point, Salazar-Harrell took control in the second half, ultimately finishing with 27 points on 10 for 13 shooting as Konawaena outscored the Lunas by 18 after halftime.
That ability to take over a game was missed in Konawaena’s title game matchup with Iolani, as an injury kept Salazar-Harrell out in the second half as the Wildcats fell just short of winning the program’s tenth state championship.
Headed to Cal State Fullerton next year on a basketball scholarship, but the standard set by Salazar-Harrell will remain at Konawaena as future classes look to fill her shoes.
“She always put 110% in whatever she did; from suicides to the end of practice, she’s first at everything,” said Awa. “When we teach our younger girls, we always model Kali and her effort.”
All-BIIF Girls Basketball
Division I
Player of the Year: Kaliana Salazar-Harrell, Konawaena
Coach of the Year: Bobbie/Dawnyelle Awa, Konawaena
First Team
Jolie Mantz, soph, Waiakea
Braelyn Kauhi, jr, Konawaena
Keirstyn Agonias, sr, Hilo
Avery Snyder, soph, Waiakea
Veda Galima, sr, Hilo
Second Team
Karley Lucas-Medeiros, sr, Keaau
Maya Kaneshiro, soph, Waiakea
Kayla Pak, sr, Konawaena
Juliana Losalio-Watson, sr, Konawaena
Ayana Meyer, sr, Hilo
Honorable Mention
Hilo: Tiffany Castillo, Kalea Harris, Alexa Meyer, Tiffany Waiki
Keaau: Lenzy Adalwan, Grace Banks, Alyssa Kaheaku, Aubrey Miyasato, Dakota Muranaka, Olivia Yasutake
Kealakehe: Pearl Delos Santos, Peyton Halemau, Kylea Medeiros, Raylyn Tangelmathaw
Konawaena: Rebekah Fong, Sanoe Kihe
Waiakea: Korri Fernandez, Kiare Kepano, Ava Santos, Hiilani Texeira