Kamehameha-Kapalama junior Ku Ka'ahanui has been named the 2012-13 Gatorade Hawai'i Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.

Ka'ahanui won the state championship this season with a time of 17:07.9, also leading the Warriors to a team state title. He was also the fastest competitor from Hawai‘i at the Foot Locker West Regional Championship, earning 98th place.

The junior is the second KS-Kapalama runner to earn the award since its inception in 2007, joining Jordan Thibodeau, who won in 2010-11.

Ka'ahanui maintains a B average in the classroom, and has volunteered locally on behalf of several charity road races and has served as a youth mentor.