Maui bowlers represent MIL at 52nd annual state championships
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The 2026 Hawaii High School Athletic Association state bowling championships brought students from four Maui schools together to compete against the state's top high school bowlers.
Each competitor made their mark at the two-day tournament, which followed the Maui Interscholastic League Championships that crowned individual and team champions from Maui High, Kamehameha Maui and Baldwin.
Capriana "Capri" Nozaki of Maui High won the girls individual championship in the MIL tournament, while Kamehameha Maui captured the girls team title with standout performances from Layla Bustillos and Bailey Baybayan, who finished second and third individually.
On the boys side, Baldwin claimed the team championship ahead of runner-up Kamehameha Maui, whose top bowler, Jacob Poouahi, finished third individually.
The Baldwin boys bowling team celebrates its Maui Interscholastic League championship at Wailuku Lanes. Courtesy photo
"My coaches and teammates pushed me to do my best and helped me stay motivated throughout the season," Nozaki said. "Winning the tournament felt amazing, and it was a great way to end my senior year and finish my high school bowling career on a high note."
As Nozaki worked toward becoming the 2026 MIL champion, head coach Jacob Davis witnessed the growth and dedication that made the accomplishment especially meaningful.
"I watched her take on every challenge I gave her, work through frustration, and still make time to help her teammates," Davis said. "She brought a smile to the people around her from day one. Seeing her earn that title after four years of watching her grow meant a lot to me."
The Valley Isle was represented by Baldwin, Kamehameha Maui, King Kekaulike and Maui High at the 52nd HHSAA Bowling State Championships, held Nov. 5-6 at Schofield Bowling Center on Oahu.
Kamehameha Maui’s girls team finished ninth overall with 4,239 pins. In the boys competition, Baldwin placed eighth with 5,671 pins, followed by Kamehameha Maui in ninth with 5,534.
Individually, Maui High’s Nozaki led the Maui competitors in the girls division, finishing 35th overall with 1,098 pins across eight games. King Kekaulike’s Evianna Chartrand followed with 1,054 pins (41st), while teammate Lyric Ford finished 70th with 927 pins.
Kamehameha Maui’s Bustillos placed 71st with 922 pins, followed by Baldwin’s Sadie Deocares in 78th with 896 pins.
In the boys division, Baldwin’s Landen Bucaneg led the Maui competitors, finishing 33rd overall with 1,383 pins across eight games. Kamehameha Maui’s Poouahi followed in 53rd with 1,245 pins, just ahead of Baldwin’s Keanu Torres-Estores in 54th with 1,241.
Kamehameha Maui’s Benjamin Komine placed 64th with 1,189 pins, while Maui High’s Caleb Keanini-Yamada finished 67th with 1,174 pins.