Darnell Arceneaux (Waialua), Anthony "Tony" Jones (Nanakuli), Ryan Uchimura (Hana), Clinton "Laupule" Schultz (Anuenue), Iris McGuire (Keaau), Ramona Takahashi (formerly of Kailua) and Patrick "PK" Higa (Kekaulike) were recognized by HIADA for their outstanding contributions. Brien Ing | SL

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Darnell Arceneaux (Waialua), Anthony "Tony" Jones (Nanakuli), Ryan Uchimura (Hana), Clinton "Laupule" Schultz (Anuenue), Iris McGuire (Keaau), Ramona Takahashi (formerly of Kailua) and Patrick "PK" Higa (Kekaulike) were recognized by HIADA for their outstanding contributions. Brien Ing | SL

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KEAUHOU, Hawaii — Bigger is better as far as the Big Island Interscholastic Federation is concerned. 

Day two of the 64th annual Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association saw two of the BIIF's proposals fail to gather enough support in a committee vote Wednesday. 

However, the league plans to bring one of those measures to the floor to be voted on by all 95 athletic directors gathered at the Outrigger Kona Resort and Spa in Thursday's general assembly, the final day of the three-day conference. 

ADs split into four groups for a second straight day. On Tuesday they conducted straw polls on each of the proposals before they caucused by league in the evening. The groups reconvened Wednesday afternoon and voted again on each measure. 

The two BIIF-backed proposals were part of Group 4's purview. Item 4.3 sought the creation of a Division III state tournaments for the sports of girls and boys basketball and girls and boys volleyball. It detailed that schools with enrollments of 299 or fewer students would be eligible to qualify for the new classification. The BIIF's proposal asked for a one-year pilot of the tournaments. 

However, the proposal failed to pass out of committee by a count of 10 votes in favor, 29 opposed and one abstention. 

The other BIIF proposal — item 4.8 — hoped to allow for teams composed of student-athletes from multiple HHSAA member schools to be eligible for participation in state tournaments at the Division II level, also on a one-year pilot basis. It also did not gain traction to pass out of committee, 9-30-1, but the BIIF filed a minority report for the measures to be brought to Thursday's final general assembly. 

Another proposal of note in Group 4 — item 4.7 — was introduced by the Oahu Interscholastic Association. It sought to modify the criteria for state tournament representation to require all of the state's five leagues to utilize the established representation calculation formula. The exception to the proposal was for tackle football, but the measure did not pass out of committee. ADs voted down the item, 16 to 24. 

Group 3, which began the conference with 20 proposals for consideration, voted unanimously for a measure that seeks to expand the girls flag football state tournament to two divisions. Both the OIA and the Interscholastic League of Honolulu introduced proposals seeking the addition of a second division, but the OIA withdrew their notion after the ILH's version was voted through, 40-0. 

Also in group 3, two BIIF proposals seeking to move several sports to different seasons were both withdrawn. Item 3.5 sought to move girls flag football from the spring to the fall, while item 3.14 sought to move spring sports, girls water polo and softball, from the spring to the fall and winter, respectively. 

Among the items voted through by Group 2 was one introduced by the Maui Interscholastic League that will add a second division for the boys, girls and mixed races at the state canoe paddling championship regatta. That proposal passed unanimously, 37-0. 

A total of 22 proposals passed out of Wednesday's committee vote. Those, along with four minority reports will go before the entire HIADA voting body Thursday morning. All measures that gain HIADA recommendation will then be forwarded to the HHSAA Executive Board, which meets Thursday afternoon and can approve, deny or amend any proposal. The executive board is made up of the presidents of each of the state's five leagues. 

Earlier in the day, ADs took in an hour-long workshop led by Dr. Craig Perry, the Chief Operating Officer for USA Curling. Perry, a senior advisor for the U.S. Council for Athletes Health, spoke about best practices to support the mental health of students-athletes and the promotion of a holistic approach that embraces behavioral, physical and social aspects of health. 

Later in the evening, numerous athletic administrators and coaches were recognized for their contributions to prep sports at an awards banquet. 

Honored for 15 years of service time were Ivan Tamura (Kailua AD), Allyson "Kahea" Schuckert (Honokaa assistant AD), Lon Passos (Radford assistant AD), Kekoa Kaluhiokalani (Waianae AD) and Gary Ellison (Kapolei assistant AD). Daniel Lyons (Hilo AD), Iris McGuire (Keaau AD), Roderick Sumagit (Lanai AD) and Bill Villa (HIADA executive director) were honored for 20 years, Scott Wagner (Punahou AD), Kalei Namohala (Waiakea AD), Darren Camello (Kapolei AD) and Deren Oshiro (Hawaii Baptist AD and HIADA president) were recognized for 25 years and Joe Balangitao (MIL executive director) and Ed Paola (Kamehameha AD) were honored for 30 years of service. 

Nanakuli track and field coach Anthony "Tony" Jones and Hana wrestling coach Ryan Uchimura and ADs Clinton "Laupule" Schultz (Anuenue), McGuire (Keaau), Darnell Arceneaux (Waialua) and Ramona Takahashi (formerly of Kailua) were also recognized for their outstanding contributions. 

Finally, former King Kekaulike athletic director Patrick "PK" Higa received the NIAAA State Award of Merit.