Loyal Lion Was Instrumental For Makua Lani
By Hawaii Sports Page
June 22, 2009: Makua Lani baseball is in it’s infancy but the rise to a BIIF berth into the state division II HHSAA tournament was spurred by the four years of loyalty by Lion Klifford Hawkins. Hawkins, an all BIIF second team utility selection was key in Makua Lani’s rise to the state baseball championships in 2009. Most of the BIIF was familiar with Lion hurler and fire baller Josh Kaiwi. But more importantly behind the scenes and the glue that held the team together was team captain Hawkins. Hawkins endured the growing pains of the first two seasons along with Kaiwi and the rest of the Lion team mates. Makua Lani, struggled to win in it’s first two years in the league but the nucleus of Hawkins and Kaiwi made the team competitive. Hawkins has travelled to the mainland to participate in the Under Armour all star games and also travelled with Kaiwi to Hilo in their youth years to participate in the Babe Ruth Winter Leagues.
Makua Lani failed to field a team in 2008 due to not having enough players. The small West Hawaii school usually had a team that had very limited playing experience. Kaiwi transferred to Kealakehe in 08 and left Makua Lani without it’s most experienced pitcher and Hawkins’ best playing companion. Hawkins was loyal and stayed at the school, where academics and faith were taught. Hawkins remained strong in his faith that baseball would return to him.
Sure enough, Kaiwi transferred back from Kealakehe and there was an abundance of players that signed up to play baseball in 2009 and that was the nucleus for the most successful season the Lions achieved. Hawkins did whatever the coach Dusty Bauer needed. Being the most versatile player on the team meant playing several positions, including; pitcher, shortstop, catcher, and outfielder. In fact he was the only catcher on the team skilled enough to catch for Josh Kaiwi, a crafty left hander with a great moving breaking ball. In 2009 The Lions finished with it’s most successful season in history with 5-9-1 record.
For his senior season Hawkins hit a lofty.379, with two doubles, two triples, 22 stolen bases and an impressive on base percentage of .590. As a freshman Hawkins batted .640 and .480 his sophomore year. Hawkins also achieved on the national scene as a 2009 Under Armour Pre-Season All American and a participant in the prestigious Arizona Fall Baseball Classic for Team One, hitting .770. Hawkins also used his speed for the Makua Lani soccer team and achieved BIIF honorable mention selection for 2009.
Hawkins recently signed a National Letter Of Intent to play baseball at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Lee University is a NAIA school with a tradition of winning and national prominence. It’s coach Mark Brew was impressed with Hawkins speed on the bases and his hitting recently at a recruiting camp last July. Hawkins is planning a career in sports medicine.
Makua Lani will be missing Hawkins next season, but Lee University will be gaining a selfless player that does whatever it can to help the team win. That sums it up, that being loyal and talented is what Klifford Hawkins is all about and that is what will make him successful in whatever he endures.