The Lady Lunas’ goal is to finish the season in the top two of the Maui Interscholastic League. PHOTO BY GLEN PASCUAL.

LAHAINA — The sterling tradition of Lahainaluna High School softball continues, as the next generation of homegrown leadership enters the post-pandemic return to the field with a young and energetic roster.

Following the pathway set by Lady Lunas legendary coaches Robert Kawaguchi, Alvin Agawa, Earle Kukahiko, Rena Encarnacion and Lei Nakamura, the program entered the 2023 season with an energetic coaching staff.

With high hopes for the Maui Interscholastic League season that began in the first week of March — after being juggled due to weather issues — this young group of mentors of former Lahainaluna players all have deep roots in the West Side community, the school and the athletic programs.

Lithe Pokipala Waiohu heads up the coaching staff and is joined by Tasha Pagdilao, Eke Watson and Ika Watson. All four come from families with deep ties and traditional experiences at Lahainaluna and in the community at large, as well as collegiate experience playing the game.

At the Lady Lunas’ picturesque home field at the entrance to the campus last week, Coach Lithe, beginning her second season at the helm of the team, described the players as “… young and eager to learn and improve. The team is united in leadership and familiar with the program, as they all have come up through the youth program.

“Particularly, our seniors have set the example and work ethic, and the freshmen have shown a willingness to learn, and three of them are starters for us. We’ll be a strong defensive team that fields well from one to nine in the lineup. And we’ll hit the ball.”

The team will look to seniors Makenzie Alexander, Belle Dagupion, Kaoha Sombelon-McEwen and Kauikeolani Alo-Kaonohi Ah-Loo for leadership throughout the season.

Juniors on the roster include Liahona Kaniho, Valeria Gonzalez Cruz, Christina Chung and Sabrina Calma. Rounding out the roster are first-year players Casey Ross, Zabree Neizman, Kaylee Neizman and Kuulina Hoopii.

“Our mahalo to all the parents and the community for their support, as well as to Athletic Director Jon Conrad and to the coaches for all they do, including the upkeep of this beautiful field. And to the girls coming out everyday with a great effort,” Coach Lithe said.

“Hopefully, we will finish strong as a team. We’re one step ahead of last year, and our goal is to finish in the top two of the MIL. All that hard work in the off-season is appreciated more as we continue to improve as a team.”