HONOLULU -- The team from Waipio comes up short in its bid to win the title of world's best Little League team.

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Little League World Series Final
Team	R	H	E
Japan	4	5	1
Hawaii	1	4	-

Japan limited the potent bats of Waipio to four singles, and got a homer and three RBIs from Konan Tomori in a 4-1 win on a sunny Sunday afternoon to end the United States' run of five straight World Series titles.

Images: Little League World Series Final

Hawaii, which had scored 29 runs over its previous three games, came up short at the plate against Tokyo. The only run Sunday came on an error off a sacrifice bunt in the fourth, but Ichiro Ogasawara worked out of a second-and-third jam with a strikeout and a weak bouncer.

Cheered on by family and friends waving U.S. flags and tea leaves they've been carrying around for good luck, the Waipahu All-Stars put on a valiant effort on the mound and in the field. Thirteen-year-old lefty starter Cody Maltezo, who hadn't pitched in roughly a month, held Japan to four hits over 5 2/3 innings, and Noah Shackles' fine stop of a hard bouncer at third likely saved two runs from scoring in the third.

"They battled to the end, and that's all I could ask of them," Hawaii manager Brian Yoshii said. "Every kid had their moment."

"We had to throw our No. 6 pitcher and all he did was pitch a great game on the biggest stage in the world," Yoshii said about Maltezo.

Natsuki Mizumachi took a few steps to his right and dropped to his knees to rob Kahoea Akau of a hit to center in the fifth. Twelve-year-old second baseman Koutaro Kamikura followed that up with a nice stop to his right of a hard bouncer by Ty DeSa to save another hit.

Konan Tomori, 12, tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth with his opposite-field shot to right.

Chants of "USA! USA!" echoed through Lamade Stadium after Shackles reached on an error with one out in the sixth.

But Ogasawara got a strikeout for the second out, and Teruma Nagata happily jogged in from right when he caught the final out.

For the first time since 2003, a team from Japan is flying home with the championship banner.

Hawaii faced tough pitching and good defense in a disciplined team from Japan that has had rest compared to Waipio's Little League World Series journey. Sunday made the fifth straight day of games for Hawaii. Waipio became the first Little League squad to play seven games in the tournament.

The team from Hawaii was resilient in the Little League World Series with two come-from-behind wins.

Japan had Thursday and Friday off before facing Taipei in the international baseball final.

The Japan-Hawaii match-up was the first in LLWS history.

Five straight days of pitching has depleted the pitching for Waipio. Noah Shackles, Shiloh Baniaga, Dane Kaneshiro and Ezra Heleski were not eligible to pitch on Sunday. Heleski helped keep more Waipio pitchers fresh by recording a complete-game shutout in a 10-0 win over Texas for the national title on Saturday.

Hawaii also showed its offensive power on Saturday by forcing the game to end early on the 10-run mercy rule in the fifth inning.

It was the first match-up for Hawaii and Japan.

The Waipio Little League team will be returning home from Williamsport, Pa., with a National Championship title Monday night. The sluggers are expected to arrive at Honolulu International Airport at 4:55 p.m. on United Flight 83. Team managers are inviting well-wishers to meet the team at United Baggage Claim Area H.

Gov. Linda Lingle on Friday called on Hawaii residents to help the families of the Waipio players because of the expenses to take the team through the regionals and Little League World Series.

"While the community has shown an outpouring of support and praise for the Waipio All-Stars throughout their pursuit of a second Little League World Series title, I encourage those who can to also show their aloha for the team through a monetary contribution to help the families offset some of the travel and related expenses," Lingle said.

Donations can be made to:
Hawaii Children’s Foundation
c/o Clear Channel Communications
650 Iwilei Road, Suite 400
Honolulu, HI 96817

First Hawaiian Bank has opened a "Yes We Can" fund for the team, contributing the first $5,000 to the families. Donations to that fund can be made at any First Hawaiian Bank location.

Make checks out to Waipio Little League Champions.

Waipio Players:
Kahoea Akau
Shiloh Baniaga
Kaimana Bartolome
Matthew Campos
Ty DeSa
Ezra Heleski
Dane Kaneshiro
Tyler Kushima
Cody Maltezo
Justice Nakagawa
Keolu Ramos
Noah Shackles
Brysen Yoshii
Manager Brian Yoshii
Coach Kiha Akau
Coach Jason Heleski