Baldwin Wins Tsunami-shortened Game 21-0

Baldwin High wide receiver Larry Gines (80) goes airborne for this catch over the middle in the first quarter Saturday night against King Kekaulike. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

By Rodney S. Yap

The halftime buzzer at War Memorial Stadium brought an abrupt halt to Baldwin High School’s homecoming celebration Saturday — before it even started.

Announcer Spike Tavares then explained over the public address system that the game is officially over with Baldwin ruled the winner on the basis of its 21-0 halftime lead. Tavares said the state of Hawaii was under a tsunami warning after a 7.7 earthquake struck off the Queen Charlotte Islands Region in Canada.

With the estimated arrival time of the first wave expected at 10:28 p.m., “Everyone should evacuate the stadium now,” Tavares added.

The word spread fast. The live radio feed on ESPN 550AM was interrupted late in the first quarter with a distress signal that lasted about two minutes. Not long after that, radio play-by-play announcer Barry Helle read the breaking news report on the air and repeatedly mentioned it through the second quarter of action.

With about 5 1/2 minutes remaining in the second quarter, game officials were told and both head coaches agreed to finish the first half.

The news baffled Baldwin students and fans as the school was preparing for its halftime celebration. Unfortunately for Baldwin the festivities never took place and seniors from King Kekaulike had their prep careers cut short two quarters.

Baldwin did improve its record to 7-2 overall and 7-1 in the MIL, but could do nothing to help its cause for the upcoming state tournament seedings a week from today, Nov. 4.

Baldwin defenders Jordan Hoiem (8), Nohea Keahi (11), Abraham Reinhardt (33) and Miki Fangatua (41) zero in on Kekaulike running back Aaron Alama during Saturday’s MIL football game at War Memorial Stadium. Photo by Rodney S. Yap.

Baldwin quarterback Keelan Ewaliko won the MIL scoring title with his 37-yard touchdown run with 7 minutes, 59 seconds left in the first quarter. The score gave Ewaliko 67 points, three more than Lahainaluna’s Kiko Kohler-Fonohema’s 64.

The Bears’ offense spread Kekaulike’s defense with an empty backfield and five receivers wide. Ewaliko rolled to his left and spilt the defense — out running the coverage to the end zone.

Zacharia Coloma-Mariano’s extra point and 29-yard field goal with 2:19 to play in the first quarter gave Baldwin a 10-0 lead.

Running back Dusty Flores scored from 3 yards on Baldwin’s first possession of the second quarter and Miki Fangatua added a two-point conversion run, 18-0.

Coloma-Mariano later capped the scoring with a 28-yard field goal with 4:17 left in the game.

Saturday’s Game Summary

King Kekaulike 0 0 X X—0

Baldwin 10 11 X X—21

First Quarter

BHS—Keelan Ewaliko 37 run (Zacharia Coloma-Mariano kick), 7:59.

BHS—Coloma-Mariano 29 FG, 2:16.

Second Quarter

BHS—Dusty Flores 3 run (Miki Fangatua run), 10:17.

BHS—Coloma-Mariano 28 FG, 4:17.

Junior varsity: King Kekaulike 16, Baldwin 14.