Hall Pass: Kawika Lam

Kawika Lam is the only boy to win gold medals in tennis four years in a row.
Kawika Lam is the only boy to win gold medals in tennis four years in a row.

It seems like Punahou never loses in tennis, mostly because of athletes like Kawika Lam.

Lam won three singles titles and a doubles crown in his four years of prep tennis and for that will be inducted into the Enterprise / HHSAA Hall of Honor on June 7 at Dole Cannery Square’s Pomaikai Ballroom.

The Punahou boys tennis team won its 25th straight state title this season, with 12 individual champions and 16 doubles champions during the span. That’s a lot of supremely talented players, but none of them are quite like Lam. Erik Shoji is the only other Punahou boy to make the Hall of Honor as a tennis player, and he made his most of his hay in volleyball to go with a single state doubles title.


Lam is only boy to win state titles four straight years, teaming with Zander Kim for the doubles title as a freshman in 2012. They were the top seeds in the tournament and rolled through their competition, losing 14 games in six matches. Lam and Kim split up the next year and both went into the singles bracket, where Lam was awarded the top seed as the ILH champion. Lam swept his way to the final where he met Kamehameha’s Marcel Chan, who beat Kim in the quarterfinals.

Lam avenged his teammate’s loss with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (6) thriller for his first singles title. He was ranked 29th in the nation among 16-year old boys at the time.

Lam was ranked 48th among boys under 18 years old as a junior, and he cruised all the way to the final again where he found a new rival. He lost the first set to Hawaii Baptist’s Jeffrey Liang 7-6 (6) in the singles championship match after not losing one in the run-up but rebounded to win the next two sets 6-0, 6-2 for his second crown.


With the memories of Mililani’s Alyssa Tobita’s loss to freshman Taylor Lau of St. Francis the previous year fresh on everyone’s mind, Lam met Liang again in the final as a senior. Tobita, a 2014 Hall of Honor inductee, lost to Lau in a bid for a fourth singles title in her final match.

Lam had no problems, though, taking care of his friendly rival 7-5, 6-3 to complete his perfect run through high school.

Lam is the only boy to win state titles four years in a row and the first to win three successive singles titles since Punahou’s Bill Bartlett from 1975-77. Bartlett lost to Kalani’s Bob Deller in the singles semifinals in 1974 before starting his run.


Even though the sport of high school tennis will lose its most successful boy and most influential coach (Buffanblu coach Rusty Komori stepped down after Lam’s win), the game is in a good place as far as the Hall of Honor is concerned. A tennis player has been inducted four years in a row, with Lam following Tobita, Kamehameha-Hawaii’s Shaun Kagawa and Kristine Felix of Baldwin, although the latter pair excelled at other sports.

Tennis players in the Hall of Honor
1992 Ryan Ideta M Lahainaluna
2000 Erin Hoe F Mililani
2000 Bradlee Lum-Tucker M Kauai
2001 Edward Ruhland M Hilo
2002 Tiana Lum-Tucker F Kauai
2008 Erik Shoji M Punahou
2009 Kristin Lim F Punahou
2012 Kristine Felix F Baldwin
2013 Shaun Kagawa M Kamehameha-Hawaii
2014 Alyssa Tobita F Mililani
2015 Kawika Lam M Punahou

Adrian Murrell, Leilehua, 1989 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Agenhart Ellis, Kamehameha, 1991 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Kamuela Borden, Iolani, 2015 (Photo by Jay Metzger / Special to the Star-Advertiser
Gabbie Ewing, Hawaii Prep, 2015 (Jamm Aquino/Star-Advertiser)
Lena Hayakawa, Mid-Pacific, 2015 (Jay Metzger / Special to the Star-Advertiser)
Sabrina Hollins, Waipahu, 2015 (Cindy Ellen Russell)
BJ Hosaka, Hawaii Baptist, 2015 (Bruce Asato)
Ian Kahaloa, Campbell, 2015 (Craig Kojima)
Kanoa Kaleoaloha, Kamehameha, 2015 (Jay Metzger / Special to the Star-Advertiser)
Kawika Lam, Punahou, 2015 (Jay Metzger / Special to the Star-Advertiser
Sarah Lau, Kamehameha, 2015 (Craig Kojima)
Micah Ma'a, Punahou, 2015 (Cindy Ellen Russell)
Kanawai Noa, Punahou, 2015 (Dennis Oda)
Tiyana Hallums, Kamehameha, 2015 (Cindy Ellen Russell)
Teshya Alo, Kamehameha, 2016
Emalia Eichelberger, Punahou, 2016
Mariel Galdiano, Punahou, 2016
La'akea Kaho'ohanohano-Davis, Baldwin, 2016
Kaeo Kruse, Kamehameha, 2016
'Aukai Lileikis, Punahou, 2016
Vavae Malepeai, Mililani, 2016
Lalelei Mata'afa, Lahainaluna, 2016
Austin Matautia, Moanalua, 2016
Chanelle Molina, Konawena, 2016
Shandon Hopeau, Kapolei, 2016
Emma Taylor, Hawaii Prep, 2016
Kayla Afoa, Kamehameha, 2017 (Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Jocelyn Alo, Campbell and Kahuku, 2017 (Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Lia Foster, Punahou, 2017 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Hugh Hogland, Iolani, 2017 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Kekaula Kaniho, Kahuku, 2017 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Kesi Ah Hoy, Kahuku, 2017 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Celena Molina, Konawaena, 2017 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Kristen O'Handley, Kaiser, 2017 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
K.J. Pascua, Iolani, 2017 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Ava Shipman, Seabury Hall, 2017, (photo by Barry Frankel / Special to the Star-Advertiser)
Tua Tagovailoa, Saint Louis, 2017 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Dane Yamashiro, Iolani, 2017 (Photo by Craig Kojima / Star-Advertiser)
Saydee Aganus, Kamehameha-Hawaii
Teniya Alo, Hawaii Technology Academy
Corey Cabanban, Saint Louis
Andre Ilagan, Farrington
Teagan Keep, Kauai
Gwen Maeha, Leilehua
Cherilyn Molina, Konawaena
Taysia Pimentel, Seabury Hall (right)
Mikayla Tablit, Konawaena
Ally Wada, Hawaii Baptist
Ryan Wilcox, Punahou
Veronica Winham, Seabury Hall
Alohi Robins-Hardy, Kamehameha, 2013 (Photo by Craig T. Kojima / Star-Advertiser)
Alyssa Tobita, Mililani, 2014 (Photo by Michael Darden / Special to the Star-Advertiser)
Amosa Amosa, Campbell, 1984 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Ana Vidinha, Punahou, 1992 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Ashley Ruff, Kamehameha, 2002. (Star-Advertiser photo)
Bern Brostek, 'Iolani, 1985 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Brandon Brooks, Punahou, 1999 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Breland Almadova, 'Iolani, 2009 (Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Brendyn Agbayani, Saint Louis, 1993 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Brian Norwood, Radford, 1983 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Bryan Clay, Castle, 1998 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Byron Beatty, Kahuku, 1987 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Carl Fraticelli, Kalaheo, 1984 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Carly Kan, Punahou, 2013 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Casey Flores, Konawaena, 1996 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Courtney Kessell, Kailua, 2005 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Dakota Grossman, Seabury Hall, 2014 (Photo by Bruce Asato / Star-Advertiser)
Debbie Lambert, Punahou, 1994 (Star-Advertiser photo)
DeForest Buckner, Punahou, 2012 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Derrick Low, 'Iolani, 2004 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Endia Abrante, Kaiser, 1998 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Eri Macdonald, Punahou, 1999 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Erin Stovall, Iolani, 1997 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Fiona Nepo, McKinley, 1995 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Gerald Welch, Saint Louis, 2000 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Glenn Freitas, Waianae, 1992 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Hoku Nohara, Kamehameha, 2007 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Jacob Edwards, Kau, 2010 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Jarrett Arakawa, 'Iolani, 2009 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Jasmine Mau, Punahou, 2014 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Harrison "Jeeter" Ishida, Punahou, 2008 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Jodi Jackson, Punahou, 1995 (Craig T. Kojima / Star-Advertiser)
Joe Igber, 'Iolani, 1999 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Joel Lane, Saint Louis, 1993 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Joelynn Naki, Baldwin, 1993 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Joey Bunch, Radford, 1983 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Jonathan Spiker, Saint Louis, 2003 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Joshua Terao, Mid-Pac, 2014 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
K. Mark Takai, Pearl City, 1985 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Kanani Herring, Kamehameha, 2008 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Kawehena Johnson, Kahuku, 2013 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Kawika Shoji, 'Iolani, 2006 (George F. Lee / Star-Advertiser)
Kealoha Pilares, Damien, 2006 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Keelan Ewailiko, Baldwin, 2013 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Keiko Price, Mililani, 1996 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Kekoa Kaluhiokalani, Waianae, 1990 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Kena Heffernan, Punahou, 1992 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Keoni Ruth, Kamehameha, 2003 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Kirk Uejio, 'Iolani, 1998 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Kolten Wong. Kamehameha-Hawaii, 2008 (Photo by Bruce N. Omori / Special to the Star-Advertiser)
Kyle Pape, 'Iolani, 2005 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Larry Khan-Smith, Campbell, 1986 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Larry Tuileta, Punahou, 2014 (Photo by Bruce Asato / Star-Advertiser)
Lauran Dignam, 'Iolani, 2002 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Lia Galdeira, Konawaena, 2012 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Lauren Ho, HBA, 2006 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Maile Golden, Waimea, 1988 (SB Photo)
Manti Te'o, Punahou, 2009 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)
Marcus Mariota, Saint Louis, 2011 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Matt Bell, Farrington, 2004 (Photo by George F. Lee / Star-Advertiser)
Matt Stevens, Hawaii Baptist, 1997 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Miah Ostrowski, Punahou, 2007 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Micah Christenson, Kamehameha, 2011 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Mysha Sataraka, Punahou, 2012 (Photo by Cindy Ellen Russell / Star-Advertiser)
Nancy Hoist, Konawaena, 2004 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Natasha Kai, Kahuku , 2001 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Pam Nihipali, Kahuku, 1983 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Pomai Kapule, Kailua, 1997 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Richard Torres, Kahuku, 2007 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Robynn Bicoy, 1984 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Sarah Palmer, HBA, 2010 (Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Stewart Chong, Punahou, 1993 (Star-Advertiser file)
Tamari Miyashiro, Kalani, 2005 (Photo by George F. Lee / Star-Advertiser)
Tani Costa, Kalani, 2009 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Tino Sellitto, Pac-Five, 1983 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Tita Ahuna, Kamehameha, 1984 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Tuli Peters, Kahuku, 2003 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Vera Simms, Mililani, 2000 (Photo by Dennis Oda / Star-Advertiser)
Billy Pieper, Kamehameha, 1996 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Yoshi Honda, Radford, 1983 (Star-Advertiser photo)
Zhane Santiago, Kahuku, 2011 (Photo by Jamm Aquino / Star-Advertiser)

Hall of Honor Members

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