Although weather conditions have forced the cancellation of Saturday’s clinic and scrimmage planned by the Hawaii volleyball team, all involved are hoping that it comes with a silver lining.

"Of course, we’re very disappointed, that’s why we waited until the last minute to make this decision," said Lori Crivello-Rawlins, general manager of sponsoring Rawlins Chevron. "The community was very much looking forward to this and we were expecting a big turnout. It was so exciting to have the Wahine volleyball team here and we’re bummed that it’s not happening Saturday.

"The discussion now with UH is that they come during the spring semester. It gives us time to make it an even better event."

Saturday’s schedule had the Rainbow Wahine arriving in Ho‘olehua, the hometown of senior middle Kalei Adolpho, around 1 p.m. There was to be a youth clinic at 3:30 p.m., followed by an autograph session and a intrasquad scrimmage at Molokai High, Adolpho’s alma mater. It had been planned as a benefit for Molokai Cancer Fund.

In the works is a similar program with a clinic and scrimmage in the spring. Given that coach Dave Shoji would have been unable to participate in Saturday’s event due to a previously scheduled recruiting trip to the mainland, Crivello-Rawlins said that the silver lining is the postponement would allow Shoji to make the rescheduled trip to Molokai.

"The weather has forced us to postpone it," said indoor associate head coach Scott Wong, the head sand volleyball coach who also had to postpone his team’s fundraiser from Sunday until Nov. 2. "We’ll try to go in spring some time."

One issue that was driving the cancellation was that the Molokai High gym is an emergency evacuation shelter.

Although some interisland fights remained on schedule as of Friday, there was relief by those who remember the ill-fated plane crash in 1989 from Kahului to Molokai. Oct. 28 marks the 25th anniversary of the Aloha Island Air Flight 1712 disaster that killed all 20 aboard, including Molokai High athletic director John Ino, girls volleyball players Leilani Ahina, Lea Dunnam, Natalie Helm, Kaipo Maihiai and Aloma Spencer and coach Odetta Rapanot.

The Farmers had just clinched the MIL championship. Also on board were three members of the boys volleyball team: Jared Elia, Testa Ku and Jovencio Ruiz.

"It’s a small island — everyone was affected and still is affected," said Crivello-Rawlins, a 1987 Molokai High graduate. "We’re hoping the Wahine will be able to come, that we’ll be able to celebrate Kalei’s senior year. We’re looking forward to it happening in spring."