HILO, Hawaii: Waiakea High School, fresh off their Hawaii High School Athletic Association championship victory over #4 Baldwin during state tournament play on Oahu, return to Hilo International Airport on Saturday to a hero’s welcome.

Former Waiakea grad Mayor Billy Kenoi was front and center to congratulate the boys on the historic first state baseball championship for the Warriors. He declared May 12th to be Waiakea Warriors Day in the County of Hawaii.

Ranked #3 in the state tournament, Waiakea got a by in the first round, then defeated Castle and Pearl City en route to the title.

Cross town rivals Hilo High did a lot of heavy lifting in the tournament themselves. They defeated Oahu’s baseball juggernauts Punahou in the first round, then defeated top seed #1 Kailua in the quarterfinals. The Vikings eventually fell to Baldwin; a loss that was ultimately avenged by Waiakea.