Maui legend Victorino inspired by LLWS run

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Wailuku, Maui has become not just the capital of Maui, but perhaps of Hawaii’s baseball legacy.

Two of the best players from the islands come from the central Maui town with former All-Stars Kurt Suzuki and Shane Victorino.

The latter is a two-time World Series champion and four-time Gold Glove Award winner. Now, for the second time in five years, Central East Maui Little League is aiming for a world championship, and the Flyin Hawaiian has their back.

“To be an inspiration to them and for them to be an inspiration to our island it really means a lot and it’s so great to see. Maui No Ka Oi really needs that love after what happened a year ago,” Victorino said of the devastating Lahaina and Kula fires that rocked the island in August of 2023.

Victorino, who carried his home island with him throughout his career, was distraught on that fateful day. He hopes the incredible play on the field will lead to more healing.

“For me, I just think it’s the community itself is a bunch of hard-working people,” Victorino said. “It’s about going to work every day being respectful and if you watch and take those things into life, results and things happen on a baseball field or everyday life.”

That hard-working attitude oozes out of players like star pitcher Evan Tavares, who recorded all 7 outs via strikeout in the LLWS opening 3-1 win over New Hampshire, notching 34 punch-outs in his last 14 innings.

“I always tell people is it the soil or is it the roots that we were naturally gifted to grow up there on the island,” Victorino said. “I’m excited to see Tavares back on the mound tomorrow night I’m assuming and again wishing them good luck and I’m sure I’ll FaceTime them today or tomorrow to wish them good luck again.”

When he does so, he has a plethora of experience on the biggest sports stage to advise them.

“Have fun, take it in. That’s what I always did on my biggest stage. I always remember I grew up on a little island I got an opportunity to do something not a lot of people get to do so go out there give it your all, do it your best. Whatever the outcome is, whatever the cards lay, lay them out there. A lot of times if you do it and work hard and continue to do what these kids are doing you’re going to end up on the good end.”