The new state soccer format has already hit a speed bump, a major one.

As of Wednesday night, the Kahuku girls soccer team did not know where it would be lodging for its trip to the early rounds of the state tournament at Konawaena High. The team plays ‘Iolani on Friday at 5 p.m.

"We booked our trip for Hilo because that is where we were told the tournament would be," Red Raiders coach Jay Hix said Tuesday night. "We found out on Sunday that the tournament is in Kona."

Hix said the Red Raiders did not find hotels that have enough rooms available for their contingent of about 30 people, including 24 players. He unavailable for comment on Wednesday night, but a source close to the team confirmed that the Red Raiders were still looking for a place to stay.

This was the first year of the double regional in the sport after it was voted into law by the schools at last summer’s Hawaii Athletic Directors meeting. The coaches information packet that went onto the HHSAA’s website, www.sportshigh.com, listed the Big Island site as Keaau on the Hilo side. It still lists it as such on the cover page.

The problem was that Konawaena won the BIIF and the right to host instead of the Hilo-side school. When the bracket came out on Sunday, it sent coaches and the HHSAA scrambling to get to the other side of the island.

"We have been working with Panda Travel to reserve flights, hotels, and ground transportation for the teams to prepare," HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun said. "Unfortunately, Panda was unable to reserve rooms on the Kona side due to a large conference, Valentine’s Day, and a holiday weekend, which created a perfect storm of no vacancies on that side of the island."

So, Kahuku faces a dilemma. They’ve been offered lodging at the (nearby) Kealakehe High gym and band room, but haven’t accepted yet.

Other schools are facing similar burdens.

Moanalua coach Nikki Dela Pena said her team was invited to stay at a school gym.

"That would be a disservice to our girls," she said. "Sleeping on a hard floor and not getting well-rested would not be a good thing. They are getting ready to play in such an important tournament."

Luckily for the Moanalua girls, they’ll be staying at the Hilton Waikoloa Village.

But that fact is not so lucky for those who control Na Menehune finances.

"Because of such late notice, the actual cost is a lot more than the anticipated cost," Dela Pena said. "We are paying four times more than we planned."

Dela Pena and Hix both said this booking problem is keeping them away from what the real focus should be on — the actual game preparation for the tournament.

"This is a big sidetrack," Dela Pena said.

‘Iolani coach Kristin Masunaga said it was difficult for her team to find rooms. Parents and relatives of Raiders players who had booked rooms earlier gave them up so the team could be together. The relatives, however, will be staying farther away than they’d like, Masunaga said.

According to several Oahu coaches, a last-minute switch of first-round matches from the Big Island to Oahu was discussed on Monday, but won’t be happening.

Many coaches are lamenting the fact that four Oahu teams (Moanalua vs. Kaiser, and Kahuku vs. ‘Iolani) are going to the Big Island to face another Oahu team.

"The schools voted on it," Chun wrote in an email. "The benefits that they saw were less missed class time, less collective travel (six teams for one overnight as opposed to four teams for four nights), champions play at home (Big Island — girls, Maui — boys). We’re doing the best we can to assist and implement it. If it doesn’t work out I’m sure schools will vote to cancel it next year."