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Coaches react to new OIA fall sports schedule

By Paul Honda on August 27, 2021

There was a season, and there will be a season. When the state put public high school sports on hold on O, there was a collective silent scream of agony for athletes and coaches. Then, the private-school ILH announced its plan to carry on with fall sports. More silent screaming, at least for public-school parents and athletes. The OIA’s announcement of a new fall sports schedule — girls volleyball begins matches on Oct. 12, football games start on Oct. 15 […]

Pac-Five/Saint Louis I-AA football opener cancelled

By Paul Honda on August 26, 2021

Note: Adds comment from Pac-Five’s head coach. An ILH season-opening football game between Pac-Five and Saint Louis I-AA has been canceled. The Hawaii Baptist Academy Athletics Twitter page announced the cancellation. The game was scheduled to be on Friday, 5 p.m., at Aloha Stadium. No explanation was given for the decision, but athletic programs and schools continue to operate tight protocols regarding exposure to the COVID-19 virus. Dealing with quarantines is simply a part of the new normal. “Much respect […]

Tevarua Tafiti, John-Keawe Sagapolutele return for powerhouse Punahou

By Paul Honda on August 26, 2021

For several years now, Punahou’s defensive unit has been in lockdown mode. During Saint Louis’ 35-game win streak against teams in Hawaii, Punahou had the best shot to stun the Crusaders because of defense. That tone and tenor will not change a bit with defensive coordinator Nate Kia now the head coach. Elite prospect Tevarua Tafiti, a defensive end/linebacker, committed to Stanford. The talented playmaker has 19 scholarship offers, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Notre Dame and Virginia. Defensive end Kielan Siamani […]

OIA releases new fall sports sports schedule, football kicks off Oct. 15

By Paul Honda on August 26, 2021

Football will help kick off the OIA fall sports schedule on the weekend of Oct. 15-16. Billy Hull reported on Star-Advertiser breaking news that the league posted the fall schedules on the OIA site today. Girls volleyball will begin on Oct. 12. The OIA football season will conclude with title games in Open Division (Dec. 10), Division I (Dec. 11) and D-II (Dec. 18). That fits the time frame of the HHSAA state championships. The football state tournament is scheduled […]

Makoa Kupahu, Micah Kaonohi-Kaihenui are ‘difference makers’ for Kamehameha

By Paul Honda on August 26, 2021

The rigor involved with protocols, practices and now, actual game preparation, is unlike anything in prep football history. Abu Ma‘afala has dedicated his life to coaching. The sight of his Kamehameha Warriors on the field at Aloha Stadium on Friday night against Punahou can’t come soon enough. “We are blessed to be playing football. I’m glad that our players, coaches and support staff get an opportunity to participate in a real game and a year and a half. I’ll be […]

RB Brody Bantolina could be spark for defending ILH D-I champ ‘Iolani

By Paul Honda on August 26, 2021

The last time the ‘Iolani Raiders played an official ILH football game, it was the Division I final against Damien on Oct. 25, 2019. The Raiders edged the Monarchs, 21-14, then routed Moanalua, 35-9, in the semifinal round of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA D-I State Championships. A week later, a 20-17 loss to Hilo on a 55-yard field goal by Keanu Keolanui as time expired. That 10-3 season included seven wins in their first eight games. The victory over Moanalua […]

No ‘Bones’ about it: Iron men of Damien relish start of season

By Paul Honda on August 26, 2021

There are three Monarchs who lived and breathed the 2019 football season. Jayce “Jboy” Jay-Pedro, Brayden Faurot and Kahiau Young are seniors now, key contributors to Damien’s defense. Jay-Pedro and Faurot are defensive ends; Young is a standout linebacker. With a resilient group of 30 players, many of the Monarchs are prepared to play nearly every down. “Oh yeah, we love it. That’s Damien ever since I came here freshman year,” Jay-Pedro said. “Everybody plays both ways. Everybody plays special […]

New Pac-Five coach Kena Heffernan: ‘They want it to be about the team’

By Paul Honda on August 25, 2021

Kena Heffernan grew up in Hauula, attended Punahou and played linebacker and running back for a Buffanblu team that also featured defensive lineman Nate Kia. The two are more than just 1992 graduates of Punahou. They are also first-year head coaches in the ILH. Kia was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach at their alma mater. Heffernan faces the challenge of keeping Pac-Five’s football program alive. “We have a small team. Our guys are hungry and they really want […]