“In 1957, my father was on one of the first Little League teams that came from Hawaii and played in Pasadena, California.” explained Kainoa Ribao.

Kainoa followed in his father’s footsteps in 2001, playing shortstop and center fielder on the first Maui team to win a youth world championship when it defeated South Korea during the Bronco World Series in Monterey, California.

Three years later, his brother Kealli won the Home Run Derby that same year before competing in the World Series.

And this year, Kanon Nakama Ribao kept the tradition alive by taking the field like his family before him and representing the West Region.

“What a blessing, three generations,” Said Kainoa. “This is definitely something special.”

“Little League is all I do,” said Kainoa, who has been a coach for almost seven years.

“In Hawaii we call it ‘Ohana,’ which means this team is your family.” he said.

“And Little League as a whole is really building an international brotherhood,” Said Kainoa.

Although this was Kainoa’s first visit to Williamsport, he felt more than welcome in the community.

“The people of Williamsport are incredible. They are unique, just the hospitality,” he said.

“You see the energy. It’s about the kids and about giving them the joy and passion that we have developed and that Little League has given us since we were kids so that we can continue to play the sport we love: baseball.” Said Kainoa.

“I will never forget this for the rest of my life. It is a great honor for us to be part of this series. If we could win the title, that would be great. But if not, we are so grateful to have made it this far.” he said.

Regardless of whether the family tradition continues, this is definitely an experience that Kainoa would like to repeat.

“If I’m lucky enough for my other children to make it, that would be a blessing. If not, I will definitely come back here one day.” he said.

West Region player Kanon Nakama celebrates his team’s 3-1 victory over the Mid-Atlantic team during Tuesday afternoon’s game at Lamade Stadium in South Williamsport. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“This is baseball paradise. This is the dream.” Said Kainoa.

“It is the dream not only of every little child, but also the dream of every parent to come to Williamsport one day,” he said, describing this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

And Kainoa’s natural enthusiasm for the World Series will no doubt be heightened as he sees his son carrying on the family tradition in America’s past.

“I have photos and videos of him playing T-ball when he could barely walk,” he said.

“It’s in our DNA, baseball is in our DNA, from both sides,” Kainoa said, adding that his son’s maternal great-grandfather, Leroy Rocha, trained Kannon’s uncle Frank Rocha as well as Kainoa’s father Kenneth Ribao in 1957.

Unfortunately, Kealli was unable to be part of the series, but in a recent conversation, the brothers marveled at how far their legacy reaches.

“He said, ‘Can you believe this?’ It’s not the first, not the second, it’s the third generation!’ We’re just so proud.”

Although the team was largely unaffected by the devastating fires on Maui last year, this event, etched deep in the boys’ memories, serves as a driving force for them.

“I think that’s their inspiration. They play for the people of Maui. They play for the people of Lahaina.” Said Kainoa.

This community spirit runs through every single team member, even though the road to the World Series is long.

“It was a tough journey,” Said Kainoa. “I don’t think these kids have been away from home for over a month and a half now.”

“But in Hawaii we believe in family, and it keeps us together,” he said.

“Every time they lose, they come back even stronger. But at the end of the day, as long as they’re together, they’ll be fine because they support each other.” Said Kainoa.

But Hawaii’s strength lies not in defeat, but in how it gets back on its feet afterwards.

“That’s what Hawaiians do,” he said.

“Baseball is a great game because it teaches both winning and losing. It’s a game of balance, just like life.” Said Kainoa.