The Kapa’a softball team poses for a photo after defeating Pearl City, 7-5, in the 2025 Division II softball state championship. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Kapaa Warriors secures Division II softball dynasty

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED MAY 9, 2025

HONOLULU – There was no rebuild for the Kapa’a softball team in 2025.

The Warriors repeated as Division II state champions after rallying from a 3-0 deficit to turn back Pearl City, 7-5, in a battle of undefeated teams Friday night at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Kapa’a also claimed its third state title in four years with the victory as the Warriors completed a perfect 15-0 season through league play and the postseason.

Junior Sienna Yamashita, who earned most outstanding player honors for the tournament, said her team’s title defense was special because this year’s squad was relatively new and only had three seniors.

“We lost a good bunch of seniors and we have nine freshmen, we have a couple of sophomores and just being able to get together and win another one is just everything to us,” said Yamashita.

The Chargers (13-1) jumped ahead early on with a leadoff home run by Phoenix Sky Lumabao in the top of the first. They extended the lead to 3-0 after a two-run homer by Haley Shinjo in the second.

Kapa’a got things going in the bottom of the third with four runs — three coming home on Jaicie Martinez’s triple — to take a 4-3 lead after three before Pearl City tied it at 4-all heading into the fifth.

The Warriors took the lead for good in the fifth when Welina Carvalho-Brede’s single was extended thanks to a fielding error that allowed Nahe Marshall to come home.

Kapa’a added two more runs in the sixth thanks to Martinez’s RBI single that scored Yamashita. Naylea Machado later drove in courtesy runner Kaui Kanahele to make it 7-4 heading into the seventh.

Kapa’a catcher Jaicie Martinez drove in four of the Warriors’ seven runs against Pearl City in the championship game. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Maile Oda made things interesting for the Chargers with a base hit that scored Lumabao, but was tagged out on the base paths to end the game.

“We know in any seven-inning game we’re in there to win it, it’s not how we start it’s definitely how we end,” Yamashita said.

Yamashita batted 2-for-4 with a triple and two runs scored in the win while Martinez drove in four of the Warriors’ seven runs. Andie Iglesia was also solid with a 3-for-3 performance and an RBI.

Kapa’a shortstop Sienna Yamashita records the penultimate out of the Division II softball championship in the top of the seventh inning.

Kapa’a senior pitcher Karlee-Rose Keale pitched a complete game to help the Warriors win back-to-back championships.