It's so incredible what Pahoa did at the state D-II tournament. A team that many coaches and fans felt had no chance to win, pulls it out in beating the defending state champion (Kailua) 41-38, and 5,000 fans at The Stanley and thousands on TV across the state see the Daggers be awarded their championship medals. Tears and cheers all around.
Just seeing Pahoa "Superman" Isaiah Ekau carry around the state championship trophy was special and the trophy meant so much to him, his teammates and coaches, and the proud community back home.
Then the Pahoa team was invited to eat in the hospitality room and Ekau didn't want to give up the championship trophy. So he sat it down next to him while he ate, then held onto it afterwards as Iolani beat Kamehameha in the D-I final.
Ekau had every right to feel the trophy was extra special to him. A year ago, he didn't get to play in the state tournament and Pahoa finished fifth. This time, he didn't want to let a golden opportunity slip away -- and Isaiah and his teammates made sure it didn't in the D-II final.
A Pahoa official looked at Ekau holding the trophy and said, "Let him hold onto it for now, because without Isaiah, there would be no trophy. He deserves it."
For those fans who were there at the game or watched it on OC16, they'll fondly remember what Ekau & Co. accomplished and their example will be used for years to come to remind other underdogs that anything is possible.
Hang on to that trophy, Isaiah, you earned it.