It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Pacific Historic Parks gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Mililani, HI is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I love how office workers are reachable, friendly & helpful. I would love to get”
“After years of refusing In-home Care due to cost, My dad finally agreed to try”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot. I have good”
“I am a current client of this provider With my dad's everyday needs, especially bathing they”
“Tyler and his team are great! Love working with them.”
“After hiring the services of Always Best Care for approximately 70 consecutive days, I wanted”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have helped me in caring for my uncle while I”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! ”
“The worker was professional,,caring and punctual.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! ”
“My aunt has been living in a nursing home for the last five years. In”
“Highly skilled, reliable and loving caregivers. They are the only agency to provide consistent care”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that”
“Best home care agency so far! My dad is a was veteran who has been”
“Always Best Care has been caring for my husband for almost a year now. The”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When we needed their service, Marcus was able to”
“Staff was very professional and considerate of my needs. Response time and answering my questions”
“The best professional service!!!!”
“I love how office workers are reachable, friendly & helpful. I would love to get a service for them in the future. I worked here as a NA for almost 6 months already and this is the best agency out of 4 agencies I been to. They have a very efficient schedule, good team work, and appreciates or value their workers. I’m proud to say I’m part of this team.”
“After years of refusing In-home Care due to cost, My dad finally agreed to try Always Best Care to take him to see his doctors. At 95, my dad is not an easy person to get along with let alone for a stranger to be with him for a few hours and transporting him, with his walker, to and from the hospital. My dad just called and he is thrilled with his caretaker Madeleine for her kind attitude and helpfulness. I'm relieved that he has found a trusted person that can take him to see his doctors. I began talking to Ernel, the manager, about two months ago regarding this type of service for my dad and we stayed in touch. Ernel was always friendly and professional and was able to get Madeleine for my dad in very short notice. Tita, the administrator, followed up with all the contracts and statements and I'm now enrolled into their online system. Overall, the 5 star rating is well deserved. Aging is not fun. Watching my dad struggle with his daily routine is difficult. Having good people around like Always Best makes it a bit easier for the both of us. Thank you.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot. I have good service from them that improves my health.”
“I am a current client of this provider With my dad's everyday needs, especially bathing they have helped. They are easy to work with, get ahold of, and communicate with us well. The people they sent have been good.”
“Tyler and his team are great! Love working with them.”
“After hiring the services of Always Best Care for approximately 70 consecutive days, I wanted to give the company a detailed review. I can honestly say I unequivocally and without hesitation, would recommend Always Best Care as a home health care agency. A vast majority of the caregivers are very conscientious and punctual. The company keeps our family very well informed via their "Family Room" function on their website. The administration and office staff are very thorough and meticulous. Special recognition to office staff (Marina, Abby, and Tita). A+++ company!!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have helped me in caring for my uncle while I get more time to do my other affairs. I know he is in the best care and really appreciate their services.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! She cares so much for my husband and is always there when he needs her to be. She is truly a angel that was sent to me by your company and I thank you so much for hiring her!! Aloha Jeff & Freda Pohaku”
“The worker was professional,,caring and punctual.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! She cares so much for my husband and is always there when he needs her to be. She is truly a angel that was sent to me by your company and I thank you so much for hiring her!! Aloha Jeff & Freda Pohaku”
“My aunt has been living in a nursing home for the last five years. In the last year however, we have seen her health and cognitive abilities slowly decline. A social worker asked us to seek extra help from a home care agency to provide additional caregivers due to her growing needs. They provided our family with some options, but in the end, highly recommended Always Best Care. We asked other residents in the facility who were also using ABC, and they too recommended the agency . My aunt has been so pleased with her caregivers and we appreciate the entire staff at ABC. Their communication is outstanding, caregivers are compassionate and reliable and they always go out of their way to accommodate our changing needs. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Highly skilled, reliable and loving caregivers. They are the only agency to provide consistent care for my dad who is receiving VA benefits.”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are very helpful, caring and pleasant to work with. I love that they can be reached 24/7 and are quick to find a caregiver for my sweet 90 year old mother, even at the last minute! True to their name, they always give their best care! I highly recommend you check them out! ????”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are very helpful, caring and pleasant to work with. I love that they can be reached 24/7 and are quick to find a caregiver for my sweet 90 year old mother, even at the last minute! True to their name, they always give their best care! I highly recommend you check them out! ????”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking forward to working with you and the wonderful team at ABC in the many years to come.”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking forward to working with you and the wonderful team at ABC in the many years to come.”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that the caregiver is on time and she completes her job.”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that the caregiver is on time and she completes her job.”
“Best home care agency so far! My dad is a was veteran who has been receiving in home care for awhile now. Our past experiences with other agencies have always been inconsistent. It's been difficult finding an agency who can provide experienced and reliable caregivers. However, the VA introduced us to Always Best Care about 6 months ago. Since then, we have been so pleased with the services they've provided. The office staff are so accessible and easy to talk to and the caregivers are second to none. They really enjoy their work and love working for the company. This really says a lot about ABC as a company, who treats their employees well. We feel safe and in good hands.”
“Always Best Care has been caring for my husband for almost a year now. The caregivers are so companionate, respectful and extremely reliable. The office staff are wonderful to work with. They stay in constant communication with my family and are always willing to go above and beyond what they are required to do. I recommended ABC to many of my friends and family members. Thank you!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When we needed their service, Marcus was able to get us set up right away. Their caregivers provide my mom with excellent care. They help her with task around the house, meal prep, exercise, etc. Their staff is very friendly and accommodating. My mom looks forward to seeing them every day. I know my mom is good hands with Always Best Care.”
“Staff was very professional and considerate of my needs. Response time and answering my questions was timely. The services are very affordable. I recommend you contact them at the earliest opportunity to get a medical professional assigned to you & confirmed. I had no issues with them here.”
“The best professional service!!!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Mililani Neighborhood Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Assaggio Mililani or visit Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Mililani, HI, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Mililani, HI understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Mililani, HI 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
HONOLULU — The Mililani softball team played its full 2025 season without the benefit of its home field due to campus renovations. So the Trojans made do, settling in at the University of Hawaii’s Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium this week.They’ve become a postseason fixture in Manoa. Mililani powered past Maryknoll, 10-7, in a matchup of OIA and ILH champions Friday night to become the first team to record a repeat Datahouse/HHSAA Division I championship since Campbell from 2015 to 2017.Mililani’s 20-yea...
HONOLULU — The Mililani softball team played its full 2025 season without the benefit of its home field due to campus renovations. So the Trojans made do, settling in at the University of Hawaii’s Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium this week.
They’ve become a postseason fixture in Manoa. Mililani powered past Maryknoll, 10-7, in a matchup of OIA and ILH champions Friday night to become the first team to record a repeat Datahouse/HHSAA Division I championship since Campbell from 2015 to 2017.
Mililani’s 20-year head coach Rose Antonio told the Spectrum OC16 crew that the degree of difficulty jumped a level this year.
“It’s hard to get to this game, to the championship and to win,” said Antonio, who attained her fourth state title (2009, 2014, 2024) among her school’s five. “But we made history today, because we’re always repeating second place. Now we’re repeating as champs.”
Mililani went back to back to claim this year’s HHSAA D1 Championship in their win over the Maryknoll. Congratulations Trojans!#spectrumoc16sports #HHSAAsoftball #hawaiisoftball #mililani pic.twitter.com/LV82VxC4Os
— Spectrum OC16 Sports (@OC16Sports) May 10, 2025
[Note: See below for more photos of Mililani-Maryknoll in the HHSAA D-I softball championship.]
Kahiau Aina, Ori Mailo, Hinano Bautista and Kodie Ancheta launched home runs as the Trojans (15-1) flexed the top-to-bottom lineup power that opponents feared all season. Ancheta, the catcher, hit a third-inning grand slam from the 9 spot.
The intimidation factor was real for a team that lost only once, to OIA West rival Campbell in late March. The third baseman Mailo, an Oklahoma commit, wore a special crimson batting helmet branded with the Sooner "O" as she had all season.
Mililani run-ruled opponents in exactly half of its games. It appeared they had a chance to do so again Friday as they broke the game open with four runs in the second and five in the third.
Earlier, Kapaa came back to beat Pearl City, 7-5, for a second straight title in Division II for the KIF’s Warriors. They became the first program to go back-to-back in D-II since Saint Francis in 2018 and 2019.
Sophomore ace Bautista nearly went the distance to attain her second state title in as many high school seasons.
The Trojans got an invaluable pickup for their successful 2024 title defense in Punahou transfer Aina, an elite shortstop. Aina had a handful of defensive gems to go with her 3-for-4 outing with three RBIs.
“My heart’s just racing,” Aina, the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, told Spectrum OC16. “I feel super happy about this team and what we accomplished this entire season.”
Kahiau Aina was good at the plate and equally as good defensively. She has wheels and power. She went 3 for 3 to help Mililani win over Maryknoll to capture the HHSAA D1 Championship.#spectrumoc16sports #HHSAAsoftball #hawaiisoftball #impactplayer #mililani pic.twitter.com/bWxJOjQXK5
— Spectrum OC16 Sports (@OC16Sports) May 10, 2025
She credited her teammates for achieving the “two-peat.”
“One we start rallying, it’s never stopping,” Aina said. “Once somebody catches a barrel, it just goes through the entire team.”
The Spartans did not go quietly into the night. They scrapped for three runs in the top of the seventh, chasing Bautista to entertain thoughts of finding a koa companion to their breakthrough 2022 state trophy. But Mililani’s Taylor Adriano coolly came on to record the final out.
“I’m not gonna lie. I was getting nervous,” Antonio admitted.
Kasi Cruz went the distance for the Spartans (14-5).
Maryknoll catcher Palehua Silva went 2-for-3 and had her team’s lone home run.
In Division II, Kapaa proved the better of two unbeatens as it rallied out of a three-run hole against Pearl City to hang a second straight banner.
Catcher Jaicie Martinez went 2-for-4 with a triple and four RBIs as the Warriors (15-0) attained their third state softball title in the last four years. It was the fifth overall by a KIF school.
“We’ve been through this,” Martinez told the Spectrum OC16 crew of coming back. “All we need is seven innings. Give us seven innings and we’re unstoppable.”
Jaicie Martinez caught an excellent game and had a triple with the bases loaded that broke the game open against the Chargers and helped the Warriors claim the State D2 Championship!#spectrumoc16sports #HHSAsoftball #hawaiisoftball #impactplayer #kapaa pic.twitter.com/I9Fdp0cyEq
— Spectrum OC16 Sports (@OC16Sports) May 10, 2025
Leadoff hitter Sienna Yamashita went 2-for-4 with a triple and was named tournament Most Outstanding Player.
Karlee Rose Keale, who had a no-hitter against Pac-Five in a five-inning game in Thursday’s semifinals, tossed a seven-hitter for coach Blair Yamashita.
“She carried us through this whole tournament,” Martinez said. “She got a no-hitter yesterday and she dealt all weekend long.”
Phoenix Sky Lumabao and pitcher Haley Shinjo homered in the loss for the Chargers (13-1), who were in pursuit of the OIA’s first D-II softball crown since Aiea in 2017.
HONOLULU — Unleashing a power surge on a rainy night at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, Oahu league champions Mililani and Maryknoll advanced to the DataHouse/HHSAA Division I softball championship game.Defending state champion Mililani of the Oahu Interscholastic Association hammered Punahou 19-5, overcoming a five-run hole behind home runs from five players. Interscholastic League of Honolulu champ Maryknoll got two long balls from Sheyzhelle Iokia to overcome Campbell, 9-4 in the first semifinal that went about three hours d...
HONOLULU — Unleashing a power surge on a rainy night at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, Oahu league champions Mililani and Maryknoll advanced to the DataHouse/HHSAA Division I softball championship game.
Defending state champion Mililani of the Oahu Interscholastic Association hammered Punahou 19-5, overcoming a five-run hole behind home runs from five players. Interscholastic League of Honolulu champ Maryknoll got two long balls from Sheyzhelle Iokia to overcome Campbell, 9-4 in the first semifinal that went about three hours due in part to off-and-on showers.
The top-seeded Trojans and second-seeded Spartans will compete for the championship at 7 p.m., following the 4:30 p.m. Division II final between Kapaa and Pearl City.
[Note: See below for more photos of Maryknoll-Campbell and Mililani-Punahou in the HHSAA softball semifinals.]
Mililani, coached by Rose Antonio, is in pursuit of its fifth state championship, all since 2005. Maryknoll, the 2022 champ coached by John Uekawa, is going after its second.
The ILH runner-up Buffanblu built a 5-0 lead through two innings, chasing Trojans ace Hinano Bautista, but the game changed decisively in the fourth, when Mililani batted around and scored eight off of Punahou’s Paige Brunn.
“This just shows our grit and how we can persevere even when we’re down,” Trojans second baseman Kamryn Aoki, who went 5-for-5 with three doubles, three RBIs and four runs scored, told Spectrum OC16. “And I’m really proud of us for coming back.”
Maryknoll, which surged in the back half of the season through the ILH double-elimination tournament, appeared to be coasting to a final appearance as the Spartans scored a run in each of the first four frames and ace Kasi Cruz took a no-hitter into the fifth.
“They started believing in themselves, maybe three quarters of the season in and then after that, we started rolling,” Uekawa said.
Campbell reminded everyone of its own power, as Taylor Mendoza, Skylynne Gonzalez and Sophie Alo went deep in the fifth and sixth.
Iokia responded with a grand slam in the bottom of the fifth to make it 9-3.
“We just have to take things little at a time here and just having each other's back and being there for one another during the during this last game that we have here for the championship,” said Iokia, who drove in five.
A couple of days before the NFL Draft, former Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel returned to Mililani High School and delivered a surprise, unveiling new uniforms for the football team.This is the second straight year the quarterback presents the team with new Nik...
A couple of days before the NFL Draft, former Oregon Ducks quarterback Dillon Gabriel returned to Mililani High School and delivered a surprise, unveiling new uniforms for the football team.
This is the second straight year the quarterback presents the team with new Nike threads. The Trojans will feature a gold jersey as well as the white road jersey. Both uniforms have brown accents.
Last year, Mililani High returned to its traditional brown and gold color scheme, a contrast to their most recent uniforms in which black was showcased as the primary color. The quarterback also gifted new Vicis brand helmets to go with the unis last season. It's unclear if the headgear was included again this year.
Gabriel had gifted uniforms for the basketball, soccer and volleyball teams in the past as well.
As a senior, Dillon Gabriel was named Gatorade High School Player of the Year after throwing for 3,754 yards and 38 scores for Mililani High School. Still, he received only eight offers from college programs and was ranked as the No. 754 prospect in 247 Sports' composite ranking.
However, he had a successful college career, passing for 18,722 yards and an FBS record 155 touchdowns in his six-year college football career. The Mililani, Hawaii, native played for three programs, spending three seasons at UCF, two at Oklahoma and one at Oregon.
Dillon Gabriel saved his best for last, passing for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns and six interceptions while leading the Oregon Ducks to an undefeated regular season and a victory in the Big Ten title game. However, the Ducks were eliminated from the CFP by eventual champion Ohio State in the Rose Bowl.
Gabriel is one of the names to watch as the Draft moves along. At 6-0, 200 pounds, the former Oregon quarterback doesn't have prototypical size to play the position in the NFL and he is already 24 years old.
His production makes a case for Dillon Gabriel to be selected at some point during the draft.
One analyst who favors Dillon Gabriel is ESPN's Draft guru Mel Kiper. The analyst not only likes Gabriel but he also named the former UCF signal caller as his favorite quarterback in the entire class.
"Gabriel is a winner. He won 46 of his 63 career starts over time at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon. There is a lot of good football on his tape. Gabriel is a rhythm passer with pinpoint accuracy and really impressive timing. He sees the field well, makes quick decisions and gets the ball out on time and on target. Gabriel is sort of a poor man's Tua Tagovailoa in the way he plays," Mel Kiper said.
Overall, Kiper has Gabriel as the No. 8 quarterback on his board, but his intangibles make him an intriguing prospect for the draft analyst, who believes the Mililani native will be picked between the fifth and sixth rounds of the NFL Draft.
The NFL Draft's first round will take place Thursday night in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The second and third rounds will be held on Friday, while the remaining four rounds will be on Saturday.
Two Hawaii heavyweights went head to head, and each had a decent amount on the line.Saint Louis (Honolulu) came into this matchup undefeated, while Mililani suffered its first loss of the year just last week.Mililani (Hawaii) getting the win could put them right back in the West Regional Rankings, while a St. Louis loss would make it tough for it to earn one of the top ranks of the Super 25.St. Louis quarterback Jayden de Laura put a stop to any upset talk. He threw for 380 yards enroute to a 54-21 victory over the Troja...
Two Hawaii heavyweights went head to head, and each had a decent amount on the line.
Saint Louis (Honolulu) came into this matchup undefeated, while Mililani suffered its first loss of the year just last week.
Mililani (Hawaii) getting the win could put them right back in the West Regional Rankings, while a St. Louis loss would make it tough for it to earn one of the top ranks of the Super 25.
St. Louis quarterback Jayden de Laura put a stop to any upset talk. He threw for 380 yards enroute to a 54-21 victory over the Trojans. Here's what we learned from the game.
Yes, yes, people have grown accustomed to de Laura making plays at quarterback for St. Louis (7-0), but you can't forget about the talent he has at wide receiver.
KoaliNishigayafinished the game with five receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, according to ScoringLive.
Not only did he thrive in the passing game, but Nishigaya also scored a 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, which proved to be decisive: St. Louis took the lead with that score and held on to it for the rest of the game.
"His actions speak a lot more words than I could say, I mean, it's right there on film. I mean, the things that he did, he's a big-time guy," St. Louis coach Cal Lee told ScoringLive about Nishigaya.
Mililani (6-2) learned that it's hard to win a game when the opposing quarterback throws five touchdown passes. The three-star quarterback did just that, and threw only one interception, which came in the third quarter of the game.
St. Louis' quarterback also went 12-19 in the game. He didn't have nearly as many passing attempts as the other team, but de Laura capitalized on each one. That can happen with a quarterback as reliable as de Laura.
Two straight losses for a team that was undefeated just two weeks ago — that might be tough to swallow for Mililani.
However, the team had to go up against St. John Bosco (Bellflower, California) and St. Louis the last two weeks, both of which are ranked in the top 10 of the Super 25.
Mililani shouldn't be too down about losses to teams that good. Next week, the Trojans play Kapolei, a team that is 3-5. Compared to its last two opponents, Mililani should have a much easier matchup next game.
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