Raya Nakao, after two years of waiting, was ready to record run at the 2022 HHSAA Girls Golf State Championships.
She, lead the Punahou Buffanblu to its 12th title in 14 years on Saturday.

The COVID-19 outbreak had erased the two previous state golf championships. Nakao was fueled by this long frustrating period. Kaanapali Kai looked ridiculously short after two days of Nakao firing rounds of 67-64.

The junior’s score of 9-under-par was one shot better than Stephanie Kono’s 2006 record.

Nakao admitted that her first 2 seasons were extremely difficult, On Saturday she made up for it at Kaanapali. She won by nine, the largest margin in tournament history since Murata won by thirteen in 1997. This victory was over her good friend, Kalani junior Kara Kaneshiro.

It also helped the Buffanblu to overcome a four-shot deficit in the first round.

Saturday, Punahou’s team score of 1-over-211 put the Buffanblu three shots better than Kalani. The Falcons were trying to win its first team golf championship for girls or boys.

Both teams were coming off league championships. Kaneshiro who won the State Amateur Stroke Play Championship by beating Nakao in a playoff. They also captured the ILH & OIA championships.

HHSAA DAVID ISHII GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS

1, Raya Nakao, Punahou………….67-64—131

2, Kara Kaneshiro, Kalani……….. 71-69—140

3, Kirsten Hall, Kamehameha…. 75-68—143

4, Eunice Han, Mid Pacific ………69-74—143

5, Leia Chung, Leilehua…………..71-72 —143

6, Kate Nakaoka, Mililani………….73-72—145

7, Jasmine Wong, Iolani …………. 76-69 —145

8, Ava Cepeda, Kahuku……………73-73—146

9, Mia Cepeda, Kahuku……………..74-72-146

10, Esther Jung, La Pietra………..76-71—147

11, Kailee Mckee, Kalani………….72-75—147

12, Teal Matsueda, Kalani…………73-74—147

13, Ariya Soldwisch, Baldwin….78-70—148

14, Mia Hirashima, Moanalua….73-75—148

15, Kiersten Saludares, Waiakea…. 71-77-148

16, Jolie Chee, La Pietra………….72-76—148

17, Chloe Jang, Roosevelt……….73-76—149

18, Payten Shimizu, Baldwin…..74-75—149

19, Elle Otani, Waiakea……………72-77—149

20, Maddy Takai, Punahou………79-71—150

21, Ashley Koga, Moanalua …….79-72—151

22, Ferrari Dudoit, Mililani……….. 78-74—152

23, Kelsie Inouye, Punahou……..75-77—152

24, Nicole Ikeda, Punahou ………78-76—154

25, Katrina Huang, Iolani………….80-75—155

26, Moana Nakayama, Mckinley.. 75-81—156

27, Jade Mauga, HBA………………82-74—156

28, Nicole Tanoue, Iolani………….80-77—157

29, Anessa Riglos, Baldwin…….81-77—158

30, Mariko Yonemura, Mililani….77-81—158

31, Mira Kubo, Punahou ………….83-79—162

32, Madison Kuratani, Punahou…86-77—163

33, Ye Won Ham, Punahou…….84-80—164

34, Rachael Wang, Kalani……… 84-82—166

35, Trinity Ledgerwood, Kaiser..85-82—167

36, Isabella Rodriguez, HPA……85-85—170

37, Jacelyn Yun, Maui ……………….82-89—171

38, Nanami Yokoyama, Kaiser…88-84—172

39, Shai Ann Baraoidan, Baldwin 86-86—172

40, Jovi Funakoshi, Mililani ………87-89—176

41, Lynea Park, Campbell………..89-87—176

42, Kieran Florino, Mililani………..88-89—177

43, Nikki Tabios, Pearl City………88-90—178

44, Anica Ancheta, Baldwin ……97-84—181

45, Brynn Yonemori, Mililani…… 90-92—182

46, Kulia Maldonado, Waialua.. 94-88—182

47, Kalia Kaneta, Maui………………92-95—187

48, Kylee Dee, King Kekaulike…97-92—189

49, Carissa Koki, Moanalua …… 95-95—190

50, Abby Kiyosaki, Roosevelt… 92-98—190

Team Standings

1, Punahou…………………………………….220-211

2, Kalani …………………………………………216-218

T3, Baldwin……………………………………233-222

T3, Mililani ……………………………………..228-227

5, ‘Iolani………………………………………….236-221

6, Moanalua…………………………………..247-242

7, Waiakea……………………………………..248-259

8, Hawaii Prep ………………………………288-278

9, Kauai………………………………………….313-299