Castles Onodera clutches up for bowling championship

Published: Saturday, November 8, 2025 at 10:05 am

Castle and Kalani Take Top Honors at State Bowling Championships

The Hawaii Army National Guard/HHSAA Bowling State Championships concluded with dramatic finishes in both the boys' and girls' divisions. In a nail-biting competition, Thomas Onodera of Castle High School mounted a stunning comeback to secure the individual boys' title. After losing his lead on the second day, Onodera found himself trailing Pearl City's Trenton Ichimura. Facing a critical moment, Onodera, guided by his faith, delivered three consecutive strikes in the final frames, ultimately winning by a narrow margin of nine points. Castle also clinched the boys' team championship, showcasing the strength of their roster.

In the girls' division, Kalani High School's Christina Kidd emerged as the champion, defying expectations after a less-than-stellar performance in the OIA championships. Kidd's success was attributed to her team's preparation for the specific oil pattern used in the state tournament, which differed from the OIA season. Pearl City's Kaila Kamahiai finished second, leading her team to a third consecutive girls' team title. The Pearl City team overcame significant challenges throughout the season, including the loss of a team member's grandfather, demonstrating resilience and teamwork.

BNN's Perspective: The championships highlighted the importance of both skill and mental fortitude in competitive sports. The ability to adapt to changing conditions, as demonstrated by Kidd and the Kalani team, and the resilience shown by the Pearl City girls, are testaments to the dedication and spirit of these young athletes. Onodera's victory, fueled by faith and determination, serves as an inspiring example of overcoming adversity.

Keywords: bowling, state championships, Thomas Onodera, Castle, Trenton Ichimura, Pearl City, Christina Kidd, Kalani, Kaila Kamahiai, team championship, HHSAA, Hawaii, sports, high school, competition, strikes, oil pattern, faith, resilience, teamwork

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