LYRAH PANARIGAN
DIGITAL MEDIA EDITOR
With a promising baseball season right around the corner, Moanalua’s Varsity baseball team features a hopeful line-up of players, including two pairs of brothers.
Seniors Wade and Kurt Naguwa are fraternal twins on the team. The Naguwa’s have been playing baseball since they were six years old and are now playing together on the Varsity team Wade playing as a catcher and Kurt as an outfielder for this season.
“It’s kind of nice playing with my brother cause I know he’ll have my back,” Kurt Naguwa said.
By having the Naguwa twins on the same team, they manage to encourage each other as “Kurt pushes me to be better cause I know if he give it his all, I know I have to [as well]... I can be a little tougher on Kurt since you know - brotherly love,” Wade Naguwa adds.
However, it’s not always a walk in the ballpark for they may sometimes get on each others nerves, but the Naguwa’s manage to keep it on the field.
“There’s a big difference in our athletic ability, so there’s no real sibling rivalry between us,” Kurt Naguwa said.
Varsity Head Coach Scott Yamada realizes the differences in the Naguwa’s personalities, “Kurt is the one that thinks a lot longer about doing things and Wade is like ‘do it’. Kurt is just a super team player and Wade is gonna be our leader this year so he’s [going to] have to be the tough one.” Yamada said.
Senior Jordan Kimura and sophomore Landon Kimura are also brothers on the team, Jordan as an outfielder and pitcher and Landon as an infielder and second and third baseman. Although, they have mixed opinions on being on the same team, as they “ played together when we were young, and playing together on varsity is different so it’s fun,” Landon said.
“It’s a pain, I always [have to] take him everywhere. [However], my mom and dad are super stoked that we are on the same team, so they take lots of pictures,” Jordan said. Both the Kimura siblings have the same goal of bringing the team to win state championships, which is planned to be held in Maui.
“Landon is always smiling, Jordan is always joking around, but they have athletic talent and I think they’re [going to] be able to help us out this year,” Yamada adds.
Even when the play gets rough, the Naguwa’s and Kimura’s can always depend on each other, as well as their teammates, to get through the game and get the job done. The Moanalua Varsity Baseball’s next game will be held on March 16th, 2019 at Farrington High School (Joey Desa Field) at 11:00am.