​In a season full of firsts for the Pac-Five Wolfpack, the taste of a bittersweet state runner-up ending lingers. The big firsts are clearly monumental: Alika Ahu was voted Position Player of the Year and Colten Amai Nakagawa was named Pitcher of the Year by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Baseball All-State selections. Playing in its first Division I state tournament and reaching the championship game, the Wolfpack produced two top honorees. “I feel extremely grateful and honored to be voted POY. I wouldn’t have done it without the support and belief of my coaches, teammates, friends and family,” said Ahu, the son of former UH and Waiakea player Jaime Ahu.
Mililani’s 1-0 victory over Pac-Five for the state crown became an instant classic. “Alika is a special athlete. His athleticism on the field gives him a lot of options at the next level,” Mililani coach Mark Hirayama said. “He is a competitor. I enjoyed watching him play the game.” Ahu and Amai Nakagawa are currently busy in the West Coast League. Ahu is with the Wenatchee Applesox in Washington, while Amai Nakagawa pitches for the Marion Berries in Salem, Oregon. In an era of consolidation at bigger programs, neither wavered. Ahu also earned All-State recognition in basketball as a junior for University Laboratory School, while Amai Nakagawa started at quarterback for the Wolfpack. “I needed Pac-Five and ULS to become the person I am today, and I am grateful that I got to be a part of these amazing programs,” Ahu said. “They gave me opportunities to become a leader and grow as a person and athlete. The joy of my high school career comes from playing with my brother (Austen) and friends. We had so much fun, and I’m blessed to have played with my brother and these brothers.”
Ahu, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound senior, showcased resilience over a stellar four-year career. He was a reliable shortstop, a capable occasional starter on the mound, and a clutch closer. His 92 mph fastball proved valuable at the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA State Championships. In the opening round, he entered a tight game against Kaiser and secured the final two outs for a save in an 8-7 win. In the semifinals, he started and pitched six shutout innings against BIIF champion Waiakea, allowing just two hits while striking out eight with one walk for the victory. Ahu relied on his college signee teammate Sugai to help map his appearances. Across the season, Ahu pitched 13 1/3 innings with no earned runs, allowed five hits, and recorded 17 strikeouts and two walks, finishing 2-0 with four saves. At the plate, Ahu hit .405 with 17 RBIs and 23 runs scored, walked 12 times for a .479 on-base percentage and posted a .655 slugging percentage for a 1.134 OPS. He did not miss a game, carrying momentum from the basketball season straight into baseball preseason as the Wolfpack came close to clinching a state title.