LAHAINA — The Hawaii High School Athletic Association announced that Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) spring sports — including baseball, boys golf, girls golf, softball, surfing, tennis, track and field, and boys volleyball — will be allowed to begin workouts to prepare for a modified schedule.

The notice came amidst the ongoing confusion and angst of the COVID-19 pandemic, as sports and recreation programs across the nation struggle to find footing to proceed with exercise activities for physical and emotional well-being.

Here on the local level, all interested Lahainaluna High School student-athletes are advised to contact their prospective head coaches for practice days and times.

In order to participate, all athletes must have a physical and consent form on file, as well as clearance from certified athletic trainers.

Prospective Luna student-athletes should contact the coaches: Baseball — Danton Hong (870-3661); girls golf — Peter Villatora (645-0245); boys golf — Sutee Nitakorn (281-5856); softball — Lei Nakamura (344-5084); surfing — Luke Adolfson (269-6910); tennis — Macario Pascual (281-2925); track and field — Dan Skousen (248-8286); and boys volleyball — Marc Watasaki (226-3791).

In related news, the Maui Police Activities League has set up a seven-on-seven flag football program for high school and intermediate age players here on the Valley Isle.

Initiated by several Lahainaluna High School football coaches who serve in the Maui County Police Department, the league began play two weeks ago at Sue D. Cooley Stadium on the Lahainaluna campus.

Some 130 student-athletes, most of whom lost their opportunities on the gridiron as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020 season, are participating in the club format program.

The league includes eight high school teams — two from Lahainaluna, two from Kamehameha Schools Maui, and one each from King Kekaulike, Baldwin, Maui High and Hana — and six teams in the intermediate school age group.

The high school teams will play a four-week schedule on Friday nights and look forward to a championship tournament in mid-April that could bring additional teams from Molokai and Lanai to participate.

The middle school teams will play on Thursday nights.

Maui County Police Department officers conduct the league, including pandemic protocols, officiating, logistics and sponsorship of the program.