The third annual Kona Legends Kupuna Softball Classic was held Jan. 11-12 at Old Kona Airport’s softball fields. Six teams battled it out to see which team would take the title — as Ho’onanea, Hui O Na Kolohe, Onomea Rangers, Scrubs, Sons of Hawaii and Wahine Kane 808 played in a somewhat-different kind of softball tournament.
When the Legends chose to run a tournament as a fundraiser for their team, they decided that the tournament would only be only for teams that played in the lower divisions in last year’s state tournament. Aside from the state tournament in August, there are no tournaments for the teams in the lower divisions. The idea was to give squads an opportunity to play in a tournament where they all had a chance to win.
Beyond that, the Legends wanted to make sure the tournament was like no other on the Big Island (or the state, for that matter). They wanted the visiting players to know that this was their tournament and wanted them to have fun. The Legends provided new balls, two umpires for every game, water in the dugouts, music between games, an announcer, a concession stand, goods that were raffled and even rented a porta potty for the two-day tourney.
Stan Grahovac, tournament director and Kona Legends coach, said, “We want the players to feel special, have fun and play in a positive atmosphere where everyone can enjoy their time at the ballpark.”
How else was the tournament different? Every team received an award no matter where they finished in the tournament. Softball gloves, bags and bats were presented to each team. Players from other islands also received a commemorative coffee cup made especially for the tournament.
Ho’onanea, Hui O Na Kolohe, Onomea Rangers and Scrubs are all local teams that participate in the Hawaii Kupuna Softball League. The Sons of Hawaii are from O‘ahu, and played in the tournament for the second year in a row. Wahine Kane 808 is a co-ed team of mostly women that really held their own against the other teams.
After the tournament, as the two teams that finished fifth and sixth were given their awards, both coaches immediately said they would be coming back next year. Sam Akiona of Sons of Hawaii said, “We gotta come back next year. Last year, we came in third. This year, we came in second, so next year we should win it!”
Cal Mateo of Onomea Rangers added, “I had so much fun at this tournament, I’m looking forward to playing here again next year!”
Hui O Na Kolohe Coach Rich Sol simply stated, “We had fun. I loved the atmosphere. We’ll be back!”
Teams can all make plans to be back in Kona next year on January 10-11, 2026, when the fourth annual Kona Legends Kupuna Softball Classic will be held.
As for the results of the tournament, Scrubs came from behind to beat Sons of Hawaii in extra innings by a score of 14-13. The Sons scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning, but the Scrubs answered back with three runs to win the game.
“We couldn’t ask for a better ending to our tournament with the championship game going into extra innings and the game being decided by one run. That was a Legendary ending,” Grahovac said.
The Legends tournament would not have been as successful as it was without the generosity of their sponsors. The Kona Legends are thankful to: Denny’s, Five Spice, George’s Meat Market, Longs Drugs Prince Kuhio, Sunbelt Rentals Kona, Sportstan (O‘ahu), Walmart and Willie’s Hot Chicken.
Mahalo also to Joyce Fukumoto, Roann Okamura and the County Parks and Recreation Department, Jan Pakele, Alan Bakke, Jack McMenamin and Bob Fitzgerald.
