BIIF golf: HPA’s Inaba and Nakagawa win island titles

Two rounds of excitement wrapped up at the Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Federation Individual Golf Championships on Monday morning at The Club at Hokulia, helping set the stage for next week’s state tournament at the island’s own Mauna Lani North.

After shooting 3-over par in Saturday’s Round 1 at Hualalai Course, Hawaii Prep’s Matty Inaba bounced back in a big way — shooting par in Round 2 to beat Kealakehe’s Ulukoa Kailiwai by a single stroke (147). Monday was Inaba’s best round this season and second first-place finish.

Fellow Waverider Noah Okazaki finished third in the field, posting a tournament-best 70 in Round 1 and 79 in Round 2. Kamehameha-Hawaii’s Kaha‘i Helm and Kealakehe’s Malakai Akeo tied for fourth with a 151, rounding out the remainder of the top five. Helm shot his way up the leaderboard after a 78 in Round 1, carding an impressive +1 on Monday.

HPA’s Khloe Nakagawa clinched her fourth win of 2025 with a cumulative 161 in the girls field, shooting a 75 on Saturday and 86 on Monday to win by three strokes over Waiakea’s Madelyn Awaya and Jordyn Kawachi. Kawachi shot a tournament-best 74 in Round 1 to keep her atop the leaderboard.

Hilo’s Nalei Ramos carded a 166 over two rounds to place fourth, while teammate Lauren Kozohara and Waverider Kaylee Palikiko tying for fifth with a collective 171.

All golfers listed will compete at states.

The full results from Round 2 and the list of state qualifiers can be found on Page 3B. Follow the paper in the coming days to view the results for the HHSAA Championships, beginning Tuesday with the girls field.