If there was ever a coach who brought blue-collar work ethic to his team every day, Byron Mello was one of them.
Mello stepped down as boys basketball coach at Moanalua on Wednesday, on the eve of Thanksgiving. The news came as a shock to the prep basketball community as preseason is well underway. Na Menehune finished No. 5 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10 last season with a 21-8 overall record.
The longtime head and assistant coach conferred with administrators about his decision.
“We felt it was in the best (interest) of all (for me) to step aside,” Mello said on Wednesday night.
With two young standout players in Geremy Robinson and DeAeris McRaven, Moanalua won the OIA Division I title with a 56-49 overtime win over Kailua. Moanalua fell in the state quarterfinals against ILH powerhouse ‘Iolani, 52-47, in overtime.
Moanalua promoted Mello in 2013 after Greg Tacon left to become head coach at Kamehameha. Mello’s Na Menehune have thrived in an uptempo style. Last season, Robinson was voted by coaches and media to the Star-Advertiser All-State Fab 15 as a sophomore.
Moanalua issued an announcement to media regarding the position opening. Resumes will be accepted through Dec. 11 and should be emailed to athletic director Joel Kawachi at Joel.Kawachi@k12.hi.us.
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. When are parents going to sit back and enjoy. The problem is some parents are selfish. They think they can do a better job when they really can’t. Everyone knows what’s going on. And this isn’t the first time a parent at this school has pulled this type of stuff. Admin should support their coaches. Parents should support the team. If they want to coach, fill out an application.
Parents are silly. Organizing meetings to oust the coach. It’s a shame.
It’s sad when a few parents start an overthrow. Not ALL parents are in support of a change. Parents should just raise their child & let the coaches do their thing.
Thank you coach Mello for all you did.
High school sports nowadays, ALL parents think their kid is a “golden child” in the sport. Parents think coaching is easy when clearly it isn’t…I’ve been through rough parents as a coach but I know what I’m doing because of my plus years experience as a player and as a coach. Schools need to start protecting their coaches.
As I know it, 3 parents : a former UH player, a nobody and a club coach….yes, A CLUB COACH, called a parent meeting and THEY feel they know what’s best for a varsity team that won the OIA championship last year. They loss to a good Iolani team in the state tournament but had a great year.
TWO games into preseason, PRESEASON ….THEY feel they know what is best.
I trust Administration will find someone soon. Hope they can handle the noise from the stands.
Heard last year from parents at school that boys weren’t coming out or wanted to stay at JV to avoid playing for Mello. Have no inside knowledge and not sure if true but not a healthy program if that was the case.
What some parents can’t figure out is most coaches help kids for practically free. No one is saying Mello is the best. But to maliciously go after someone’s livelihood for no good reason is ridiculous. The man won the OIA title last season. Same old story. A parent thinks they can do a better job. And that same parent isn’t qualified to coach a 5 year old i-9 team.
And that’s the problem with some youth today. They are soft. If they didn’t want to come out then those kids lack competitive fire. It’s not like the coach sucks. They won the league last year.
@Mene Supporter. I hear ya.
Moanalua beat STL and loss to KS. Many consider KS the top team in the state.
It’s early and every team is still getting their feet wet and improvement is made over the season.
To call a meeting after 2 games and 1-2 weeks is absurd.
And what give anyone outside the admin or coaching staff or players the right to call a meeting. This is so dumb.
Former UH player should worry about his club and Swish team. Club coach should worry about his club team. And the nobody should sit in the stands and wave your Pom Poms. You know nothing about basketball. If you do, prove it and coach somewhere. Until then, you’re no better than the rest of us.
It’s sad. Some selfish adults ruin it for the rest of team. Call it spite. Call it envy. Call it jealous.
I’ll just call it a bunch of fools wishing they could coach high school. But every time they apply, no school will hire them. I wonder why?
If Kawachi hires either of their club coaches then he’s a bigger fool than most of us already thought.
mello stepped down did not get fired,the team went to the parents to tell them their issues wanted mello out but parents wanted team to voice their issues with him wondering why practices where being canceled. (canceled practice day before the kamehameha game) what was the use of having 4 assistant coaches and not letting them run practice or have an opinion to help. Showing no effort what so ever and put in the correct time to have a successful team not to mention underachievement dam near every single season do ypu know how much talent has been ruined and players electing not to play for mello?. The meeting was held to hear the boys and why they wanted him out not to get him out. Bottom line mello stepped aside no one to blame for that but mello,it will end up being the best thing that could happen to the boys and the moanalua program. From what i understand those boys were miserable,lost,and confused on the court due to lack of preparation. On another note better he stepped aside early in the season than later. Now this should clear up everything to stop all of the immature blaming and complaining. If a parent or whoever had the ability to fire a coach it would be a neew coach in each school in every sport every year. STOP THE NONSENSE!!!
Blame the WHOLE Hawaii Basketball Community for this stuff. Allowing this guy to bulky his way everywhere….even allowing him to have a professional team (they play like 6 games, wow!) in Hawaii so that HE can still play. This should never have been allowed to happen….at all. He has always been selfish…..only now some of you see it…
@REALITY, please make sure your facts are correct. They are not.
Let the boys be boys & the parents be parents. Not fair to judge coaches unless you’re in the mix. If you are a coach, good luck when you interview for the job. If not, enjoy the game from the bleachers.
First it happened at Kalani. Now Moanalua. It’s sad. No admin support. Kids needing a hug or a pacifier. So sad. “I don’t want to play for my coach, waaah.”
First of all the kids are not experts. So I wouldn’t take what they say too seriously. I talked to my buddy who has a kid on the team. It’s basically 2 upset boys. And the pressure orchestrated by the adults mentioned above.”
It’s sad. The kids might win a few games, but with little grit and barely an ounce of resilience, kids who can’t persevere really set themselves up for failure in life.
“MOMMY AND DADDY, I DONT LIKE MY COACH. I DONT WANT TO PLAY ANYMORE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.”
If you were not apart of the situation and have no idea about what truly happened, yet you act as if you do? You are just as bad as you think Moanalua is. Im sure half of you don’t even know both sides of the story and you attacking the parents when it really wasn’t them, is just sad. The parents did not meet up alone, the players set it up, and it wasn’t to oust the coach, it was to discuss problems within the team. Please in the future, get your facts straight. Thank you
Parents thought getting Mello out was gonna help? Goodluck this season because the real problem was YOUR kids simply can’t hoop I know these players they couldn’t get a real bucket since they been on junior varsity. Mello allowed the players to play the game of basketball to there ability especially letting Germey Robinson do whatever he pleases Mello was a great coach I hope Germey can carry moanalua because a new coaching staff not gonna help those untalented kids
@REALITY parents holding meeting off campus, not addressing administration or coaches, just to “vent”. THAT’S parents being parents? Totally beg to differ. If you have an issue, take it to the source that can address it. Don’t try to gain momentum behind the scenes.
Good luck in your interview, I hope the administration gives you the opportunity to prove your mettle. Until then, enjoy the season from afar. Idiot
@mene supporter. Great posts. From what I’m told from some players, it’s basically 2 upset players. And the same 3 adults that listed. And the crazy part is this is part 2 for that same parent. Always complaining behind the scenes.
That teaches his son absolutely nothing unless teaching your son that accountability isn’t important.
But this parent and his club coach has been crying for 5-6 years now, or should I say 94 feet. Lol.
Easy to talk on a blog. Strap up your big boy pants, apply, and see if you can do better.
Last time I checked, Coach Mello is sitting in an OIA Title.
I think that trumps the Ikaika League or KPT League, or Betty Crocker league that the club coaches play in. Or am I wrong?
Lavar Ball is living in Hawaii now?
@ridiculous. I got the facts pretty good. One player’s dad called the parent meeting. I trust my sources more than you. Maybe you “should get the facts straight” as you like to write, lol.
Maybe you should check again because I was among those at that meeting LOL
@Ridiculous. Yeah. And I’m part of the presidential impeachment process. Lol.
That’s a great fairy tale. Haha.
Moanalua should trade Lavar Small and his son to the equivalent of the Pelicans in Hawaii, Maui High or Hilo High or somewhere they can implode. BSB Big Smaller Brand
Fact is this players dad, has been a cancer to the team from the beginning and this is the result. His son has one year to play, while Mello is committed to the team for years to come. Next year, you won’t hear from him at all.
I understand that the players did have frustrations with the coaching philosophy. I do believe that his philosophy would get them another OIA title. Probably not much further then that. The kids believe they can win it all. I wouldn’t exactly throw a parade for the new coach if he/she should lead them to another OIA title. All the best to coach Mello. Sorry it ended like this.
This entire situation is sad on both sides. This started with a few boys on a FT call complaining about losing a game. Upset that the coach did not make adjustments they felt should have been made. This FT call was followed up by a player sending a group text to boycott practice to try and force the coach to make some changes which, in total agreement some changes needed to be made on both sides. I.e certain players playing defense and not just calling for the ball to pad his stats to look good. The coach not calling this out. I could go on.
The handful of boys were told not to boycott practice but instead to talk to their coach like young men. A parent sends a message out for parents and players to meet on Sunday evening. Again remember this is only a handful of players. They meet express their disappointment to their parents who were suppose to guide these players in the next step. The conclusion was that the boys were supposed to meet as a team on Monday discuss their issues amongst the TEAM and bring to the coach what issue they had with him what they would like to see different what they needed to work on and what they were going to change.
We’ll practice was canceled due to the coach having pneumonia (no one was aware but, doesn’t matter) The previous mentioned parents were not happy with practice cancelled. Next thing some of the players new was the AD was responding g to a player regarding a letter the “player” sent to the AD. Mind you not with the full backing of the rest of his team. And not facing the coach like they should have done.
I’m sorry I’m going to back up just a bit. In the group text they player was asked “if we don’t have Melo who will Coach us” and I quote “my dad and AS” mind you doesn’t work this way there is a process to everything.
Ok backs on track Coach meets with AD and decides to take to high rode not wanting to cause rift among the boys and again a coach battling pneumonia chooses to step down since there are others who feel they can do better..
Addressing the no talent comment… Moanalua definitely has an abundance of talent please don’t disrespect the boys in this team especially those that weren’t involved in this madness.
Unfortunate for the other 13 young men in this team that a player who doesn’t even care if he plays BB but, knowing he’s always going to play and another who seems to think he’s above the entire team chose to make a decision or was guided to make a decision for the entire team. So now all of the boys suffer.
TO THOSE OF YOU THAT ENCOURAGE THIS TI BE DONE IN THIS MANNER YOU WERE WRONG. THIS WAS HANDLED POORLY. Melo may not have been the best coach and who knows what we will get next the grass is not always greener. I feel for the rest of the boys who wanted to play everyone is not 6’5 or has a key to the gym. You parents should be ashamed who knows when these boys will play again.
Praying for peace
As I read the messages post here, I see that there are a few things missing. The main things I see missing are the facts. Many of our young men and women play high school sports as a way of building community, building character, and learning the concept of teamwork. Teamwork can only be learned through strong leader ship, and a leader must have the attributes of character, integrity, and honesty.
As I read the messages I see much is being stated without true knowledge or facts pertaining to what the players intent was. I can truly assure you the team members did not want the coach to step down, however, they wanted Coach to hear their concerns, their thoughts, their hopes, and their desires as players. The players wanted a coach who would not only tell them what you do, but teach them by example. That did not happen. Now I am sure many people will continue to opinionize, speak through false realities, and Ill placed anger; however, if the players are too afraid to approach the coach due to possible benching…Houston we have a problem! Coach Mello did not step down, he quit. Coach Mello did not quit only on himself, but also the team, the school, and everyone who sees basketball as a way of bringing community together. Coach Mello did not step down because the boys wanted him down, Coach Mello quit because he did not have the capacity to listen to anything about himself that could have been positive. Since when does the coach quit because somebody doesn’t like him? My five-year-old son doesn’t even play that game anymore! You don’t want the truth, you can’t handle the truth!
Honestly this could work out better for the whole Moanalua Basketball Program. According to my sources the Moanalua Basketball team has brought in a new coach for the JV program this year, Coach Blayze. Not only is he a strong coach but he also has playing experience as well which can come in handy considering the current state of the players and parents. The solution to all of the teams current problems… Bring Coach Blayze up from the JV as the new Head Coach, claim OIA’s once again and make a deep run in states.
Did the parents really get mello fired or did he really steo down?
The problem is the AD. No rules. And no leadership. There’s a clear rule in the DOE. If it isn’t a an activity that’s part of the school, then anyone who uses the gym should pay the fees that’s clearly listed on the DOE use of facility webpage.
You got a Moanalua Teacher using the gym for her side hustle.
You got the Moanalua Girls Head coach using the gym for the club he’s affiliated with.
You got a parent using the gym for his semi pro team.
And the AD either doesn’t know or doesn’t care. Both of which make him look incompetent. And honestly shady.
This is far more than just a basketball coaching issue. This is an issue of leadership and following the rules.
And it starts with the Athletic Director.
Watching Moanaloa on TV last year, it was obvious that Coach Mello and his staff were going to have a rough time. Parents would be coaching from the stands. Ex UH player was more concerned about how his son did then the team. The son would look at his father every play. SAD! Many games, I watched this parent coach his club team and enter into low level tournaments. He is a better player than a coach. I don’t personally know Coach Mello, but I know he will coach again.
@Santa, nothing I have written is untrue. And since it’s written that would be libel, not slander. Please learn your claw terms, lol.
I stand by what I wrote. And it can’t be libel is it’s true. It’s all over IG. That’s video evidence that’s time stamped.
Please educate yourself. Attorney general sent a memo in 2017 to all principals and athletic directors regarding use of facilities and what constitutes legal use of facility.
Clubs, churches, organizations outside of the high school using it without paying the advertised rate on the DOE website is against the rules.
No good deed goes unpunished. You must not be a part of the Moanalua club. I don’t see how you can hate from outside of the club, you can’t even get in
@really you think you have facts, I’m here to tell you first hand that you’re wrong! I won’t hide behind a keyboard either. The Moanalua girls coach, does NOT use the Moanalua facilities for the club he is affiliated with Illegally. You stand by what you write send me the video evidence that is time stamped on IG. You talk negatively About Moanalua, their AD & coaching staff, but have you looked at the overall success of their athletic department? Sit here like an Internet warrior throwing out BS and believing you know what you’re talking about. If you don’t know swing by the gym and talk to the AD or the girls basketball coach & find out the real truth, not speculation. Until you actually know the real truth please have some class and keep your negativity to yourself. That is all.
Another example of entitlement from parents and players. Getting worse every year. Parents who teach their kids how to be entitled. “I don’t like the coach”, “OK son, let’s cause trouble and get him out” thats BS. Coach Mello worked hard for the program with a team first philosophy. But 2 selfish kids and their parents ruined it. You people posting in here defending the side meetings are one joke. You are part of the trouble makers. You people blaming Mello for resigning saying he “quit” are full of BS, you say you don’t like his style, then when he says goodbye you call him a quitter? Always a few they ruin things for the group.
So sad!! What are we teaching our youth of today. The players are NOT bigger than the game. What are the kids gonna do when they get to the college level and they don’t like how a coach does things????? Do you really think a college coach is gonna take what the player has to say and implement change to cater to the player???? Wake up parents!!!! Teach your kids to adapt to a coach, to be coachable players, to have respect of the game!!!!!! Mr. Kawachi is an outstanding AD which is reflected in the highly maintained facilities at Moanalua and the success of so many sports programs at Moanalua!!!
@Moanalua Coach
Assuming this is really u. Maybe focus on game planning, watching film, developing practice plans instead of going on blogs. Scoringlive has you at 1-3 with 2 scores not reported.
What coach goes on a blog? Lol. I don’t see Dean Young, or Alika Smith, or Chico, or Coach Bobbie, etc., writing on newspaper blogs. Lol.
Even when they wrote negative things about Alika, he let it go and never replied. This just made my day.
And I’m assuming when your affiliated club used the Moanalua Gym in October for the big parent meeting, you paid for use of facility including electricity and janitor? You know that is the normal process right?
I’m assuming you filled out paperwork, provided proof on insurance, etc?
You know a meeting, game, practice, tourney, etc., constitutes use of facility.
https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Facilities/UseofFacilitiesFeeSchedule.pdf
And for the record I have been inside the gym regularly watching practice. So I’m here. Silly rabbit.
@ #32 and #33… so true and perfectly said. Agree with u wholeheartedly.
I still can’t get over a coach on this blog replying. Lol. Assuming it’s even true. Lol.
What’s next?
@really QUESTION????? So how does it work when a parent has a key and has runs so his kid can run but yet not open to all team members? Who pays for this?? Just wondering!
@really so you’re the guy in the corner grinding his teeth and always complaining about everything under the sun. I’ll pray for you, must be tough to to walk around always jealous and spiteful of everyone. I mean, you spent thanksgiving arguing with internet trolls for Pete’s sake
@ Curious,
First of all the parent should not have a key if they are not a paid employee of the DOE or Athletic Department of MOHS. Secondly, the letter from the Attorney General was sent in 2017 since Churches were using a lot of DOE facilities and many admin were cutting side deals.
The DOE wanted to control their facilities and the Attorney General wanted to make sure there was a transparent policy and procedure in place. Obviously it’s not being followed and practiced by all.
When you rent a facility, the organization who rents it is supposed to provide proof of insurance. They must pay the fee to rent the facility. In addition they must pay for utilities. And most gyms also put in a one time janitorial fee.
If the parent is using the gym and it’s not a MOHS approved function, they are supposed to pay. This does not surprise me.
@Praying for you. I am a stickler for the rules. You ma’am, are obviously someone who is okay with cheating the system.
When you do not follow protocol, then the kids suffer. Who do you think has to pay for the lights when it goes on? Are you paying?
No, it comes from the school. And the tax payers money that should be allocated to student resources, improvement of facilities, etc., is used to pay for electricity that the people who are inappropriately using it should be paying for.
If standing up for what is right, if pointing out how rules are broken, and voicing facts on how people are legally using the gym make me jealous and spiteful….then I am jealous and spiteful.
It’s no coincidence that the Attorney General informed the AD’s that anyone who does not pay for the gym or if side deals are cut, those people can be tried for felony theft.
The letter the Attorney General sent in 2017 is a fact. Any principal or AD can tell you about it.
It’s sad that you are okay with adults abusing the system at the expense of children.
But then again, you are probably one of the parents who teach their children to be entitled and not have accountability.
And standing up for children can be done on Thanksgiving, Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Groundhog Day, whenevers……
These comments are terrible,how do you even try to blame parents and players for a coach actually stepping aside can you guys read or you just have nothing better to do. Seems like this platform only brings out the jeoulos mad people half of you are making things up about the entire situation. No matter what was done behind the scenes the coach left the team i wish na menehune luck moving forward and thats all.
@ Pete’s Sake
It’s due to the fact that this parent has a history of meddling. The parent called a meeting with the sole intention of getting the coach fired. Walk in the coach’s shoes before you support this meddling parent.
And if the coach didn’t resign, he would have gotten fired. It looks better on a resume if you resign versus getting fired.
Please learn about HR and employment protocol before you comment.
@really although you raise valid points taking potshots and calling out specific individuals on a public forum under an anonymous screen name doesn’t make you a hero. That coach you’re ragging put a real name to his post, you haven’t done the same as of yet. You sound like you’re a DOE or State employee. Might want to choose your words and actions carefully.
@ The Truth Shall Set You Free
What is you point? I listed points. You have yet to argue that it is incorrect or inaccurate. It doesn’t matter if I put a name, my real name, or John Doe. The truth is the truth. Please learn the process.
And what is your point again? You talk about using a fictitious name, yet you use one too. Talk about hypocrisy at it’s finest.
So are you here to rebutt my points? Are you here to show up you’re a hypocrite. What is your point?
As for choosing my words, I have chosen them quite carefully. I have not committed libel. I have clearly outlined the process and even put the evidence from the DOE website.
So why should I choose my words carefully again?
What a fool.
really <— an anonymous man/woman/boy/girl who spreads unsubstantiated accusations about people (which isn’t “outlining the process” as you state) on an internet message board, then resorts to name calling when those facts are brought to light. Sorry, I’ll type slower next time. On second thought my work here is done. Feel free to go back to whatever you do which judging from your prolific posts and penchant for gossip isn’t much. Oh yeah.
Thanks.
Really,
As you pointed out to the Moanalua basketball coach that he should be watching film and developing practice plans instead of blogging, perhaps the Attorney General should stop threatening people who might be illegally turning lights on with felony theft and focus more on reducing the crime rate in Hawaii and putting the real felons behind bars. My tax dollars is also going to the Attorney Generals salary. Much rather see her focusing on more important problems.
To those of you that are stating there are no facts you must be the ones that had the boys sign the letter from MOHS V BOYS. All the boys were not in agreement or had knowledge of what you all did. So disrespectful, selfish and self centered. The main 2 the coach allowed to do just about whatever they wanted were the 2 that did him wrong.
@the truth shall set you free. What gossip? The gym was used. That is a fact. There were over 15 kids and 20 adults.
I noticed you ignored my comment about you not using your real name and being a hypocrite.
YES! Mello stepping down is the BEST decision he has made for the MOHS boys basketball in 4 years! For parents who are against this, please feel free to step down, and on your way out, kindly take your child (player) with you, and please, close the door behind you! No need to let your child even go to practice if you’re so against this. If everyone has a right to their opinion, so do I.
Let coaches coach and parents sit in the stands and be supportive. Too many crybaby kids and parents. I wonder where the kids learned the behavior from. Hmmmm……..
BTW, what’s is “Menes”? Miniature menehune? The us of “Menes” is disrespectful to the Hawaiian word, its meaning and your school.
At least you have the nicest bathrooms in all high school gyms!