2 Hilo junior golfers among 8 selected as members of 2026 Hawai‘i Junior Team

Eight Hawai‘i junior golfers — including two from Hilo on the Big Island — were named to the 2026 Hawai‘i Junior Team.

The state junior team program — created by United States Golf Association — is aimed at identifying elite junior golfers in each state and providing them with an opportunity for further development to compete at a national and/or international level.

Eligibility requirements for juniors include:

• They must be full-time Hawai‘i residents.
• They must be at least 13 years old by Jan. 1.
• They cannot be 19 years old by July 19.
• They cannot be enrolled in college for the 2025-26 season.

The top three girls and boys from the 2025 season points list earned automatic selections to the team.

Fourth place selections were made by Hawai‘i Junior Team Committee after evaluating performance in local and abroad events.

2026 Hawai‘i Junior Team

Girls

1. Alexa Takai, 2028: Honolulu; 76th U.S. Girls’ Junior Amateur; Round of 32.
2. Jacey Kage, 2026: ʻAiea, O‘ahu; 2025 seven top 5 finishes.
3. Kira Uno, 2027: Honolulu; 2025 six top 5 finishes.
4. Brooke Asao, 2029: Kāneʻohe, O‘ahu; first place, 2025 Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association Big Island Junior and 39th Hawai‘i State Golf Association Mayor’s Cup.

Boys

1. Leo Saito, 2029: Hilo, Hawai‘i Island; first place, 100th Big Island Amateur.
2. Jake Otani, 2026: Hilo; 2025 Hawai‘i State Junior Golf Association Player of the Year.
3. Bret Kiyuna, 2028: Honolulu; 2025 three top 5 finishes, T-8 62nd Hawai‘i State Amateur.
4. Keola Silva, 2027: Waiʻanae, O‘ahu; first place, 2025 Notah Begay III Native Youth Championship.

The Hawai‘i Junior Team is captained by Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour winner Dean Wilson.

Wilson competed and won at the highest levels in Canada, Australia, Japan and the PGA Tour. He is a graduate of Castle High School in Kāneʻohe and Brigham Young University.

Team members will be provided with custom Hawai‘i Junior Team gear and access to special resources and mentorship from Wilson to further enhance their competitive opportunities.

Visit the Hawai‘i State Golf Association website for additional information about the program.