KAILUA-KONA — Honolulu Little League needed just one more out.
With two outs and runners on first and second, Kawaihau Little League was looking to tie or take the lead in the top of the sixth inning in Sunday’s Hawaii Little League Majors State Championship at Kona’s William Charles Lunalilo Park. Honolulu ace Bronson Fermahin had pitched a gem, but had walked the previous two Kawaihau batters — designated hitter Bubba Kuhaulua and left fielder Kahekili Inanod — before first baseman Waika Doctolero came to the plate.
After Honolulu manager Gerald Oda briefly spoke to Fermahin on the mound, the pitcher calmly struck out Doctolero looking — sealing Honolulu’s first majors state title since 2022 with the 2-0 win, and punching his team’s ticket to San Bernardino, Calif., next month in the regional tournament.
Honolulu finished the state tournament as the only unbeaten group — clinching a win over Hilo and another against Kawaihau in the bracket-opening matchup.
Fermahin finished the game undoubtedly as the head of the snake for Honolulu — pitching all six innings while allowing just one hit and zero runs. He also struck out 10 batters. Honolulu’s fielding was on point for the entire morning to support Fermahin — committing zero errors and sealing a key double-play in the top of the fourth inning to halt Kawaihau from crossing home plate.
“I was happy for (Fermahin),” Oda told West Hawaii Today postgame. “He’s been working hard, and that double play helped us big time.
“We really just wanted to make everybody proud, not just for our team, but for the parents and the entire state of Hawaii. We really wanted to do our best and to represent.”
Thanks to Fermahin’s prowess on the mound, two base hits were all Honolulu needed to get the win. But Kawaihau pitcher Alakai Fernandez made them work for it all game, as he struck out nine batters.
Kawaihau finished the tournament with a 2-2 record. The club beat Hilo 10-4 in the semifinals Saturday to advance to the championship stage.
“I am so proud of this team,” Kawaihau manager Tristen Panui said. “They battled one day at a time to make it to the championship game, picking each other up along the way. This is a special group of kids, and I am thankful they allowed me to be a part of their journey. I could not have done it without the help of my coaching staff and our Kawaihau Ohana.”
“This state tournament is always one of the toughest tournaments to get out of, and hats off to Kawaihau,” Oda added. “They play with such class, and they’re very well coached and disciplined. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy.”
Oda then went on to praise the competition around the state, stating that his team is very fortunate to be in this position.
“I think we’re very fortunate, the baseball gods have blessed us. There’s great baseball all over Hawaii, and we’re just very blessed to be part of this baseball community. Just humbled, and grateful to have this opportunity.”
With this year’s state tournament being the first ever to be held in West Hawaii, Oda praised the Big Island’s District 4 — specifically District 4 treasurer Nicodemus Mount — for putting together such a great communal event.
“I can’t thank the Kona community and (Mount) enough for making this happen,” he said. “(Lunalilo Park) is like the Field of Dreams.”
Honolulu will head to regionals from Aug. 2 to 8, hoping to secure a spot in the iconic Little League World Series from Aug. 13 to 24 in Williamsport, Pa. Representing the entire state in regionals, Honolulu is no stranger to competing on the big stage.
Oda and company have won two Little League World Series titles, capturing championships in 2018 and 2022. He also won a World Series title while coaching a Cal Ripken 12-under team in 2005.
Hoping to clinch a third LLWS championship to bring back to the islands, Oda explained that to get to where they want to go, the group needs to take things one step at a time and keep faith in one another.
“We’ll be doing a lot of praying. The most important thing for us is, win or lose, is that we fight from the first pitch to the last pitch and represent our great state of Hawaii. We’re going to stress to our kids that we’re going to enjoy the moment — every bit of it.”
Source: The Garden Island