8th Annual Kipimana Cup, Aug. 31

The public is invited to enjoy an evening of football camaraderie when the Kamehameha Warriors play the Kea‘au High Cougars for the 8th annual Kipimana Cup.

Kipimana Cup

Kickoff is 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31, at Kea‘au High School. Admission is $7 for adults, $3 for seniors and $2 for kids, which includes entrance to the 5 p.m. junior varsity game.

The Kipimana Cup is a perpetual trophy W.H. Shipman, Ltd. established to promote a goodwill football game between the nearby public and private schools located on land the family company used to own. Shipman, which Native Hawaiians called Kipimana more than a century ago, sponsors the football-shaped koa trophy and awards $500 to each school.

“In working with both schools, we realized the opportunity to honor the friendship between them by making this annual football game a special event that also celebrates Kea‘au’s rebirth as an agricultural, business and educational center,” said Bill Walter, W.H. Shipman, Ltd. president.

This year’s contest will carry special significance for a Puna community still reeling from the ongoing volcanic eruption that has destroyed hundreds of homes and forced thousands of residents to relocate.

“It’s really about uniting our community with the event,” said Iris McGuire, Kea’au High athletic director. “Everybody can have a breather for a little bit and just enjoy some football.”

Kamehameha Principal Dr. Lehua Veincent said the game serves as a celebration honoring one another, Kea‘au and also W.H. Shipman’s generosity. “It does bring community together,” Veincent said. “That’s the power of athletics.”

The goodwill competition has generated excitement among students and benefits both schools by building civic pride, Kea‘au High School Principal Dean Cevallos said.

“It gives a sense of camaraderie as well as a friendly competition,” Cevallos said.

W.H. Shipman, Ltd. was founded more than 130 years ago, and its roughly 17,000 acres make it Puna’s largest private landowner. W.H. Shipman, Ltd. utilizes its lands for agriculture, commercial/industrial and leasing, while holding true to its goal of balancing community uses through sustainable practices and planned development.

For more information, contact Bill Walter at (808) 966-9325.