Kalani's Hirai to retire after 22 seasons

Longtime Kalani Falcons baseball coach Shannon Hirai (right) to retire after 22 seasons as varsity head coach. CJ Caraang | SL

Shannon Hirai said he is retiring as varsity baseball coach at Kalani High School.

Hirai has been the Falcons' longest reigning coach at 22 seasons. The next closest is Dunn Muramaru, who coached the Falcons from 1976 to 1985.

Hirai was head coach of the junior varsity squad for three years before taking over the varsity program in 1997 and compiling a 159-141 record, taking the Falcons to six state tournaments. He led the team to Oahu Interscholastic Association East titles in 1998 and 2005. His 2016 team finished second in the OIA.

Hirai said he had been thinking about letting go of the reins as early as last season but decided this year was the best time as several assistants also have decided to retire.

The Falcons won the consolation championship this past state tournament, the highest finish under Hirai. The team's 13-5 record was the most wins in a single season for Hirai.

A number of Hirai's players continued their careers at the collegiate level. Most notable is Shane Komine, who went to become an All-American pitcher at Nebraska and later pitched for the Oakland Athletics.