FROM BIG ISLAND TO BOBCAT

MALIA MCKENDRY ’21

RIDING HIGH AT MONTANA STATE AS VARSITY POLO CAPTAIN

Malia McKendry ’21 will admit that she didn’t always love being known as the “horse girl.” But the “polo girl?” Well, that’s an entirely different story.

“I interacted with horses on a daily basis,” McKendry says, “and I felt like I was labeled the ‘horse girl,’ which I kind of resented through some of my middle school years— just doing dressage and all that. And then I found polo.”

It's been a game changer for McKendry, who followed her passion to Montana State after graduation. She quickly made her presence felt and was named the Bobcat polo varsity captain as a sophomore. The club is sanctioned by the United States Polo Association and competes in the Western Division against the likes of Stanford, the University of Southern California, Oregon State, and others.

Polo culture runs deep in McKendry’s family, particularly on Hawai‘i Island, where her grandfather, Dick Ednie, helped found Mauna Kea Polo Club (now known as Waiki‘i Polo Club). His son, Jed Ednie ‘94, helps manage the club now.

“It’s very active and breaks some of the stereotypes of horse riding,” McKendry says. “Even though it is called ‘the sport of kings,’ there is a certain level of rough and tumble I really enjoy about it.”

For those not in the know: polo is a team sport that involves players riding horses while trying to score goals by hitting a small ball using long-handled mallets. The game is fast-paced and requires great skill and coordination between the player and their polo pony.

“It’s like soccer, but you’re on a horse hitting the ball with a stick,” McKendry says.

Off the field, polo has helped McKendry find a sense of ‘ohana thousands of miles from home. Between practice and travel for games, some of her best friends are her Montana State polo partners.

“My first year of college was defined by COVID and keeping us separated from each other. So it was hard to make a lot of friends my freshman year,” McKendry says. “Since then, I’ve made a lot of close friends through the polo club. It’s a really fun group that is passionate about the sport.”

Fiona McKendry '89, has admired from afar as her daughter set up a new base at Montana State. What she’s observed is that many of the lessons and experiences gained during Malia’s time at HPA have helped her with the transition, preparing her for college and life.

“There are a lot of things I love about HPA and it was a very rewarding experience for our kids,” Fiona McKendry said. “I feel like having a very diverse, unique community at HPA helps students feel more comfortable stepping out of their comfort zone once they get to college or their next phase of life. HPA fosters the idea of getting out and exploring the world—whether that be through academics, sports, a club, or something else.”

McKendry is majoring in exercise science but plans to go into physical therapy, which will determine her next destination when she’s ready. Wherever that is, expect her mallet to be going with her. •

Polo Runs In The Family

A couple of current Ka Makani students were pursuing their polo dreams this year, with Caleb McKendry ‘23 and Ethan Matsui ‘25 helping lead the Waiki'i Polo Club to a win at the 2023 Interscholastic Preliminary Tournament in California. The squad, coached by Jed Ednie ‘94, advanced to the Regional Championships—which were also held in California—finishing third.

Caleb McKendry is heading to Colorado State next year and he plans to continue his polo career at the collegiate level.