Since the first Little League World Series in 1947, countless youths from around the globe have arrived in Williamsport, looking to leave a legacy behind, and for one Central East Maui Little League family, that legacy continues to live on as the third generation competed this year at Lamade Stadium.

“In 1957, my father was on one of the first Little League teams to come out of Hawaii, to play in Pasadena, Calif.” explained Kainoa Ribao.

Kainoa would follow in his father’s footsteps in 2001 when he found himself playing shortstop and centerfield on the first Maui team to secure a world title in youth sports when they defeated South Korea during the Bronco World Series held in Monterey, California.

Three years later, his brother, Kealli would go on to win that year’s Home Run Derby before going on to appear at the World Series.

And, this year, Kanon Nakama Ribao kept the tradition alive as he takes to the field, as his family before him, representing the Western Region.

“What a blessing it is, three generations,” Kainoa said. “That’s definitely something special.”

“Little League is everything I do,” said Kainoa, who has been coaching for nearly seven years.

“In Hawaii, we call it ‘ohana,’ basically, this team is your family,” he said.

“And Little League as a whole, really builds an international brotherhood,” Kainoa said.

Despite this being Kainoa’s first visit to Williamsport, the community has made him feel more than welcomed.

“The people of Williamsport are unreal. They’re one of a kind, just the hospitality,” he said.

“You see the energy. It’s all about the kids and instilling that joy and passion that we’ve developed, and that Little League instilled in us since we were little kids, to continue to play the sport we love, baseball,” Kainoa said.

“I’ll never forget this for the rest of my life. We’re so honored to be in the series. If we could bring home the championship, that would be great, but if not, we’re so thankful to make it this far,” he said.

Whether the family tradition continues, this is definitely one experience Kainoa plans to have again.

“If I’m fortunate enough for my other children to make it, that’ll be a blessing, but if not, I’m definitely going to come back here one day,” he said.

“It’s baseball Heaven. This is the dream right here,” Kainoa said.

“This is the dream of not just every little kid, but even every parent’s dream, to one day come to Williamsport,” he said, calling this a once in a lifetime opportunity.

And the natural exuberance of the World Series is no doubt enhanced for Kainoa by watching his son continue the family tradition in America’s past time.

“I have photos and videos of him hitting up a t-ball when he could barely walk,” he said.

“It’s in our DNA, baseball is in our DNA from both sides,” Kainoa said, adding that his son’s great-grandfather, from his mother’s side, Leroy Rocha, coached Kannon’s uncle, Frank Rocha, as well as Kainoa’s father, Kenneth Ribao, in 1957.

Kealli unfortunately could not be here for the series, but in speaking recently, the brothers marveled at how far their legacy has reached.

“He said, ‘can you believe it?’ It’s not the first, not the second, it’s the third generation!’ We’re just so proud.”

Though the team was largely unaffected by the devastating fires in Maui last year, that event, seared into the boys’ memories, is a driving force for them.

“I believe that’s their inspiration. They’re playing for the people of Maui. They’re playing for the people of Lahaina,” Kainoa said.

That spirit of community is one that extends through the individual team members, despite a long road to the World Series.

“It’s been a tough journey,” Kainoa said. “I don’t think these kids have been home for over a month and a half now.”

“But in Hawaii, we believe in family, and it keeps us together,” he said.

“Every time they lose, they come back even stronger. But at the end of the day as long as they’re together, they’re gonna be alright, because they have each other’s backs,” Kainoa said.

But the strength of Hawaii lies not in a loss, but how one picks themselves up afterwards.

“It’s what Hawaiians are known to do,” he said.

“Baseball is a great game because it teaches both winning and losing. It’s a game of balance, just like life,” Kainoa said.