HILO, Hawaii, Aug. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- The world champion Hilo All-Stars -- the pride and joy of their quaint seaside town on Hawai'i's Big Island -- were welcomed home Tuesday Hawaiian-style. Enthusiastic local residents and supporters welcomed their return with colorful flower leis at the Hilo International Airport.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060823/LAW049)

The baseball team from a small town in the middle of the Pacific Ocean won big on Sunday, taking home the world championship title at the Cal Ripken World Series in Aberdeen, Md., by beating Mexico 5 - 2. The team is comprised of 11 young Hawai'i players, ages 12 and under, and includes 10 boys and one girl.

"It's so great to be home in beautiful Hilo. Everybody in Aberdeen was telling us how lucky we are, not just because we won the title, but because we get to come home to the Big Island," said team manager Kaha Wong.

"The kids are so excited, and they cannot wait to get back to school," Wong added.

The players grinned from ear to ear at the rousing welcome, as well wishers and family adorned each player with hugs, kisses and fragrant lei. The team had been on the mainland since July 21, after winning the Cal Ripken 12 and Under Southwest Regional Tournament in Woodland, Calif., then heading to Maryland to claim the world title.

The 2006 Cal Ripken World Series was televised nationally. Nearly 6,000 fans crowded Maryland's Cal Ripken Stadium on Sunday to watch the game.

The victory was especially thrilling for manager Kaha Wong. In 2003, the Hilo All-Stars were defeated by Mexico for the world championship title. It's the second straight year that a team from Hawai'i won the 12 and under title. A Honolulu team beat Mexico 1-0 last year.

For more information on Hilo and Hawai'i's Big Island, please visit http://www.bigisland.org/

CONTACT: Los Angeles, Keely Baribeau of Novom Marketing,
+1-323-882-8333, kbaribeau@novom.com; or Hilo, Jessica Ferracane,
+1-808-961-5005, bivbpr@hvcb.org, both for Hawai'i's Big Island

Web site: http://www.bigisland.org/