Travel Update 7/6 (updated again 11:15 am)

Las Vegas trip is practically dead in the water. Not enough players, not enough adults (only me). We just needed one more adult and 4 more players. Airfare is reasonable ($615 round trip), but this is a total long shot now.

Kona trip is alive and well. Though the car wash wasn't profitable (bad weather), we'll push through with fundraisers. The Kona travel roster is below with some updates on players who have committed.

We have not fundraised enough to cover expenses, so unless you have financial hardship status, please chip in ASAP. Per traveler: Air fare $175, auto rental: $20, hotel/condo $160, 14U tourney fee $50. Players will bring their own food money. For the rest of us, hello McDonald's dollar menu!

I'm waiting for confirmation on one of the players' departure day. Then I'll order the plane tickets and reserve either condo unit(s) or hotel rooms this morning.

Keanu Pratt - yes (varsity)
Radyn Kaleikini - yes (varsity) (flying with dad)
Tanielu Mosi Afe - yes (varsity/14U)
Chase Santos - yes (varsity/14U)
Gabriel Porras - yes (varsity/14U)
Josh M DE Jesus - yes (varsity/14U)
Kapaa Nishimura - yes (14U only, arrives in Kona 7/27)
Felcris Jay Corpuz Ahadain - yes (varsity/14U)
Colin Ramos - yes (varsity/14U)
Javan Montiho - yes (varsity/14U)
Chris Afe - yes (varsity/14U)
Micah Visoria - yes (varsity/14U)
Ryan Higashionna - yes (varsity/14U)
* Nathan Higashionna - yes (coach/chaperone)
* Paul Honda - yes (coach)

Varsity means these guys will travel early Friday, July 25 and arrive in Kona in the morning. First game in the Big West Officials/HISOA varsity tournament will be around noon. The WYBT 14U Tournament begins on Sunday, July 27 with a noon-time game.

If our fundraisers do well, extra funds will go toward the new uniforms and the cost of previous leagues/tournaments, and future leagues/tournaments. Beyond that, we'll be fundraising for 2015 travel (Bigfoot and Under One Roof tournaments in Las Vegas, Kona tournaments, etc.)

Arriving later?
Josh Roberts/Henry Roberts
Carl Montiho
Ray Ramos

Not traveling
Haka Johnson (Saint Louis travel)
Kanehe Nishimura (band camp)
Kyle Moraga (Lanakila 17U travel)
Jared Elwin
Sierra Murobayashi (Islanderz girls travel)
Thomas Baptiste
Walter Berthold

Note: We'll probably have to rent two condo units since the travel group numbers 16 now. (Not including the guys who arrive later.)

Update 7/6 11:15 am - Kalei (Chase's dad) informed me this morning about a possible group discount rate from Hawaiian Airlines. I called them and learned that the office that handles group rates is closed on Sundays. As much as I want to book EVERYTHING this morning, I'm going to wait until Monday AM. I also signed up for Hawaiian Miles for the first time. Not sure if that helps us, but it can't hurt.

Also called Castle Resorts, and the lady who handles group rates for them is also not in her office until Monday. So that's another waiting game. I called Kona Bali Kai for the heck of it and they said they have two 2-bedroom units available for July 25-29. But again, they recommended that I call the generic 1-800 number, which will lead back to the group-rate lady who has Sundays off.

Either Kona Bali Kai or the other condo in Waikoloa would be great. (Both are owned by Castle Resorts.)

Ground transportation will be two mini-vans courtesy of Coach Carl and his connections. He has the gift.