And, ultimately, the crown fit.

Leaving no doubt that it is the world’s best Little League team, Honolulu concluded one of the most dominant runs in Series history by routing Curacao, 13-3 in four innings. Kekoa Payanal and Kama Angell hit back-to-back home runs to start the bottom of the first and Angell went 4 for 4 with six RBIs. His walk-off single capped one last overall frightening Hawaii performance in a Series filled with them.

Jaron Lancaster threw a three-hitter, struck out 10 and all parts of this devastating machine came together. Again. Hawaii outscored six of the world’s top teams, 60-5 here.

All were great teams, but Hawaii emphatically showed why it is the best.

The parents from the Hawaii team watch their players celebrate by sliding down the hill at the Little League World Series complex after their 13-3 win over Curacao at the 2022 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Aug. 28, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

“Our whole team, we all did it together. From districts, we came all the way here to Williamsport and winning it all, it’s unbelievable,” Lancaster said. “It’s a team effort and, ‘We is greater than me,’ is always on our back and we always have someone to play for.”

This juggernaut from Honolulu played for their parents, community, state and region spectacularly well. As unselfish and hard working as they were talented, players and coaches jelled throughout the season and peaked at the perfect time, pounding opponent after opponent.

It never was easy. Hawaii just made it look that way.

“I think we were just fortunate that everything clicked for us at the right moment in this tournament. Hat’s off to all the teams. Just to get to Williamsport and be one of the top 20 teams in the world is very difficult,” Hawaii manager Gerald Oda said. “I’m just very grateful that these kids played looser and relaxed and that helps, too. For us whether we win by one or by 10, it doesn’t matter. We always stress to our kids play hard from the first pitch to the last pitch and whatever happens, happens, but at least we can say we gave our best and it’s still going to be a great day.”

This league has had a lot of great days over the last four Little League seasons.

Kekoa Payanal of Hawaii tips his cap to Lamade stadium after their 13-3 win over Curacao at the 2022 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Aug. 28, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Honolulu Little League made it two world championships in four Series after also going undefeated and winning the 2018 crown. This dominant league also reached last year’s semifinals and is 17-1 in its three Series appearances. It also produced the fourth world title for Hawaii since 2005.

Oda managed that 2018 team and his teams are now 12-0 at the Series. Afterward, it felt like Oda was waiting for someone to pinch him to convince him that this all was real.

“I’m extremely blessed and grateful for this opportunity. After 2018 I expected the next time I came to Williamsport would be as a spectator to support another team. But I’m fortunate enough that we had great kids in our league this year,” Oda said. “It’s a long journey from districts and going to regionals to here and anything can happen. As we progressed the kids really started jelling and playing well together. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would be back in 2022 coaching a team, so I’m just very grateful and appreciative of all the kids and the coaches.”

Curacao fought off the mercy rule with two runs in the top of the fourth, but Hawaii clinched the championship in the bottom half. Angell ended one of the best individual world final performances by going the opposite way with a 3-2 pitch and driving his walk-off single into left field.

Ruston Hiyoto came racing home from second and easily scored the clinching run. He then was on the run again as happy teammates poured out of the dugout. They all dog piled near second base before running out to center field and patting the Howard J. Lamade Stadium statue.

Mikah Noda as he and his team celebrate by sliding down the hill at Lamade Field after their 13-3 win over Curacao at the 2022 Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Aug. 28, 2022. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Hawaii then received its world championship banner near the pitcher’s mound before taking the victory lap of a lifetime around the field. Hawaii players then threw souvenir baseballs to happy fans who will long remember the incredible show this powerful team produced all Series.

A team that balanced fun with hard work enjoyed the celebration and all the little moments this Series provided. They showed it one last time when Esaiah Wong grabbed Oda in a bear hug and would not let him go, so his teammates could give him the customary ice water bath.

“It was great. I saw the ball go down and saw Coach Gerald sending in Ruston and I was just at a loss for emotions,” Angell said. “It was the best I’ve ever had in my life.”

Hawaii pretty much showed it was above the field at the Series from the first time it took the field. The bigger question now might be where it stacks up historically. In the 2000s, no American team has run roughshod over a field quite like this powerhouse.

Hawaii rarely was challenged, pummeling nearly every one of its opponents and controlling all aspects each time. Building the case for Hawaii being one of the best American teams to ever play at the Series consider these facts:

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Honolulu's Kama Angell celebrates as he rounds the basses after his home run in the first inning. Angell's home run was the second straight for Hawaii.

The new world champions mercy-ruled four of six opponents and its closest game came Saturday when it defeated Tennessee, 5-1 in the U.S. Final. Hawaii walloped 14 home runs in six games. It averaged 10 runs per game and played error-less defense four times. The pitching staff allowed just six hits and never allowed more than three in a game.

Sherlock Holmes and Columbo could not solve the powerful case Hawaii produced every game. There were no weaknesses and the reserves were as powerful as the starters, Hiyoto proving it again by hitting a three-run double in the third inning which put Hawaii up, 12-1. That concluded a seven run inning and Hawaii scored at least two runs in all three at-bats.

“It’s great but I feel like you don’t win a game off of one person,” Angell said. “Jaron did great on the mound; Kekoa had a lead-off blast to start off the first inning. I just felt like it was a team effort.”

It sure was.

Curacao scored a run in the top of the first and that actually was the only time Hawaii trailed and the first time since it was down a run in the West Regional winner’s bracket final against California. There were some questions about how Hawaii would handle being behind in a game.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent The West team from Honolulu, Hawaii runs the traditional lap around the field with their chamipionship banner after winning the Little League World Series Championship at Lamade Stadium Sunday.

But like that day in San Bernardino when it won, 13-3, Hawaii roared back. Payanal hit a mammoth home run down the left-field line on a 3-2 pitch, tying the game. Just four pitches later, Angell started his memorable day by smashing a home run to right-center field.

The hits and runs kept coming the next three innings. Curacao produced a spirited effort and it says a lot about Hawaii’s dominance that the three runs the International champions scored were more than Hawaii had allowed in its five previous guys combined.

But after winning five straight elimination games, Curacao was thin on pitching. And every time Hawaii had a chance to pounce, that is exactly what it did. Angell and Lancaster hit RBI singles in the second inning before Angell and Hiyoto rocketed three-run doubles in the third.

“You can’t make mistakes against those guys,” Curacao manager Zaino Everett said. “They are too awesome.”

That is the best way to describe this Hawaii team which will receive a hero’s welcome when it returns home Monday for the first time since August 3. It’s also the perfect way to describe the way players, coaches and parents conducted themselves all summer. It’s a remarkable blend and has carried this team to the top of the world’s summit.

Other champions will follow, but when it comes to dominance, Hawaii has raised the bar mighty high.

“I feel like it’s so exciting to be here,” Angell said. “I just have to soak up the moment because I’m never going to get a chance like this again.”

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Honolulu's coach is doused by ice water by his team after their 13-3 win over Curacao in the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium Sunday.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Honolulu's Ruston Hiyoto celebrates after scoring a run to give Hawaii the Little League World Series Championship on the mercy rule in the fourth inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent Honolulu's Kama Angell is caught then tagged out by Curacao third baseman Shemar Jacobus in the third inning.

MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Correspondent The West team from Honolulu, Hawaii runs the traditional lap around the field with their chamipionship banner after winning the Little League World Series Championship at Lamade Stadium Sunday.