Devastation in Maui hits home to Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder, Hawaiian Kala’i Rosario

CEDAR RAPIDS — Kala’i Rosario wants you to know any amount is acceptable. He and his fellow Hawaiians appreciate it more than you know.

“How much money you donate doesn’t really matter. You donate five bucks or 100 bucks or 100,000,” the Cedar Rapids Kernels outfielder said. “Everyone is coming together, and that’s pretty cool.”

Like everyone, Rosario is devastated by the news in Maui. Massive wildfires have destroyed the island and killed over 100 people.

Many more are missing in the rubble and presumed dead.

  Buy Photo

“When I saw the first couple of posts about it, I kind of didn’t really think much about it because it’s one of those things where you don’t even think it’s real,” Rosario said. “Then after a couple of days, it kind of hits you a little bit, just because I’m so far away. I wish I could be home. I feel like if this kind of stuff happened in the offseason when I was home, I’d for sure be there helping out as much as I could. I think it’s just harder for me because I’m so far away, so there’s not a whole lot I can do.

“I mean, I can help out with some donations and stuff. But just seeing families still looking for their families, you just can’t control what happens. It’s pretty tough.”

Rosario is from Papaikou on the “Big Island.” It’s about 100 miles from there to Maui.

The 21-year-old outfielder doesn’t have family there but played a lot of baseball there growing up. He was the parent Minnesota Twins’ fifth-round draft pick in 2021 out of Waiakeia High School in Hilo.

“I grew up playing against a lot of players from Maui and, like, all the different islands,” Rosario said. “Just seeing friends posting about this, they have family and friends affected by it. I feel like in Hawaii, everyone is one big family, so if one family is affected, everyone feels the pain. It’s tough to see right now, but it’s really cool that so many people are coming together as much as they can.”

Rosario said all of his Kernels teammates have asked him about the disaster and if his family is OK. He talked to a fan last week in Quad Cities when the team was there who did the same and donated money.

Here is a link from UNICEF for wildfire donations.

“It’s pretty cool, man, just seeing the love and support from everybody all over the world,” Rosario said. “It’s a tough situation. But everyone comes together, and that’s all we can do right now.”

Rosario hit a three-run home run in C.R.’s 4-1 win Sunday over Wisconsin at Veterans Memorial Stadium. He is tied for the Midwest League lead in homers with 18 and leads in RBIs with 77.

No question he has made himself a prospect.

“I feel like he is,” said Kernels Manager Brian Dinkelman. “He’s a young kid, just turned 21. He can hit for power, his outfield (play) is fine and will grow. I think the most impressive thing is him being able to take some walks in key spots or whatever. So, yeah, I think he’s put himself on the map this year with a good year and being so young in this league.”

The Kernels (71-43 overall, 31-17 in the second half) have the MWL’s best overall and second-half records. They hit the road for a six-game series at South Bend that begins Tuesday night.

Cedar Rapids won five of six games in this series.

“Feeling good, the team is playing really well right now,” Rosario said. “I think it may be my best season, I’m healthy, and we’re winning ballgames this season and stuff. We just want to win. That’s our main goal.”

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com