NFLInjury Update
Colts QB Jones (Achilles) back to throwing again
Colts QB Daniel Jones back to throwing as he recovers from Achilles injury
ESPN News1 min read
SportsFeature
Kamehameha’s Kalei Harbottle takes aim at HHSAA record
TL;DR
Kalei Harbottle of Kamehameha has thrown the shot put 64 feet, 3 inches, aiming for an HHSAA record. He previously achieved 61 feet at the Kamehameha Invitational.
Key points
- Kalei Harbottle threw 64 feet, 3 inches at an ILH meet
- He previously achieved 61 feet at the Kamehameha Invitational
- Harbottle is a senior at Kamehameha
- His recent throw is believed to be a non-HHSAA record
- He also competed in the discus event
Mentioned in this story
Punahou’s Alexander Field
Kalei HarbottleKamehamehaILH meet
He would be having the time of his life without the hunt.
Yet, here he is. Kalei Harbottle. The breadth of his people skills is real. Future talk show host? Future coach? Maybe and maybe.
For now, all Harbottle did is blow people’s minds by putting the shot 61 feet a few weeks ago at the Kamehameha Invitational.
Then, two weekends ago, the Warriors senior surged to another stratosphere with 64 feet, 3 inches at an ILH meet at Punahou’s Alexander Field. That is believed to be a non-HHSAA record.
“At Kamehameha Invitational, it was our first meet at home, my ring. I tried to get a big one out there. I didn’t win the discus (154 feet), but I had fun. I know what things I have to work on,” Harbottle said.
Going into the meet at Punahou, it was a week of treatment for an oblique injury. The last thing on anyone’s mind was a throw beyond 60 feet.
“It was the same flow state that I had at Kamehameha. Just go easy, 70, 60%. My first throw was 59 (feet), then 58, then 61-3,” he said. “I was pretty happy about that, but I thought, let’s get a big one.”
He sat and scrolled on TikTok.
“I don’t want to think about throwing all meet. I don’t want to overthink,” he said. “Coach Max (Kanoa) told me, ‘You have it. Go for it. You’re well-rounded in this sport. Have fun.’ It did feel good. That last throw, I had a little clap before it.”
His teammates won’t say a lot about the numbers, but they have stacks of memories with their favorite state-title-contending shot putter.
“My favorite memory of Kalei,” teammate Berta Ah-Kiong said, “is after Kamehameha Invitational, we went to get Wing Stop, and while we were driving, Kalei was screaming the song ‘Linger’ by the Cranberries at the top of his lungs.”
This was a shy kid whose mother was a kumu at his middle school, Kamehameha, and who gradually gravitated to the joys of life and Hawaiian culture as Warriors do.
“I met Kalei when he was in eighth grade,” said Chawai Manuel, a fellow thrower. “I remember him being quiet and very to himself. It was only in his junior year that he truly opened up and started being the goofy kid he is.”
Harbottle hit the two new high-water marks while struggling with an oblique injury, which is not to be fooled with. The injury was enough to knock Harbottle out of the most recent ILH meet on Saturday.
“I’m just surprised that it’s quite early and quite young in the season,” said his father, Kawika. “Dude, this is not your max. When he hit his 64, I have not seen you throw that smooth before. You’re strong enough, work on getting smoother. Just maintain the lifting you’re doing.”
The HHSAA record of 59-8 is one of the most prominent hallmarks of all. Kaione Crabb of Punahou set the mark in 1997 at the state meet at Kaiser Stadium, just weeks after crossing the 60-foot barrier.
To his teammates, the circle of throwers, the true hammers, Harbottle is as personable as they come. It is always one of the most unique of circles, discus throwers and shot putters from different schools sometimes training together, sharing pointers and bonding over some of the most ancient of sporting endeavors.
Q&A
What is Kalei Harbottle's recent shot put record?
Kalei Harbottle recently threw the shot put 64 feet, 3 inches at an ILH meet.
Where did Kalei Harbottle set his shot put record?
Harbottle set his shot put record at Punahou’s Alexander Field during an ILH meet.
What was Kalei Harbottle's performance at the Kamehameha Invitational?
At the Kamehameha Invitational, Harbottle achieved a shot put distance of 61 feet.
Is Kalei Harbottle aiming for an HHSAA record?
Yes, Kalei Harbottle is aiming to break the HHSAA shot put record with his recent performances.
