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Kekahi Graham’s summer fun continues with QB honors at Poly Bowl Combine

By Paul Honda on July 11, 2021

Kekahi Graham is having a summer blast, earning top-five quarterback honors on Saturday at the Polynesian Bowl Combine at Skippa Diaz Stadium. “I was trying to go out there and compete. It was a good experience with John (Keawe Sagapolutele), Jarin (Sagapolutele), Kini (McMillan) and Mana (Tarape),” Graham said. “It’s an honor to get an award from Polynesian Bowl Combine. It’s a great camp. I had a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can get selected as a participant for the […]

Kaden Baptista’s journey from Konawaena to Cali to WR honors at Poly Bowl Combine

By Paul Honda on July 11, 2021

Kaden Baptista is not the usual valedictorian candidate. With his curly, bleached blonde hair and earrings, the two-sport athlete looks more like an artist than a perfectionist. There are, however, goals. Many goals. The former Konawaena student-athlete took a step toward his dream, to play college football, by earning honors as one of the top five wide receivers at the Polynesian Bowl Combine on Saturday at Skippa Diaz Stadium. Though he doesn’t lack any confidence, the selection surprised Baptista. “I […]

Fire still burns brightly for Coach Galu Tagovailoa

By Paul Honda on July 11, 2021

Much was asked of the young campers. Much was given in return. When the wind arrived after a boiling-hot morning on the turf of Skippa Diaz Stadium, so did a light sprinkle. Just in time for 7-on-7 battles. By 2:30 p.m., six hours of combine work — plus lunch — were in the books at the Polynesian Bowl Combine. For Galu Tagovailoa, there is nothing quite like being back home — and coaching quarterbacks. The former Ewa Beach Sabers coach […]


Empowered: 400-plus enjoy Alohi Gilman’s camp

By Paul Honda on July 10, 2021

Kingston Gaoteote came a long ways to become the fastest sprinter in the 8-12 age group at Alohi Gilman’s Empower Educate Elevate Football Camp on Friday. It was worth every mile. The seventh grader from Union City, Calif., will fly over the Pacific and return home on Saturday with the experience of a lifetime. So did roughly 170 young campers in the 3-5 p.m. session. Many of them stuck around afterward to get their camp shirts signed by Gilman, the […]

Saint Louis DB Kona Moore commits to Hawaii

By Paul Honda on July 9, 2021

Kona Moore is a Hawaii Warrior. The Saint Louis defensive back made his decision on Tuesday night and announced it on Thursday. He turned down offers from Army, Navy and Louisiana-Monroe. “I feel satisfied. I’m good. I’m happy with my decision,” said Moore, a 6-foot, 180-pound senior. “I decided on Tuesday night with my parents.” Saint Louis coach Ron Lee is stoked for one of his key senior leaders. “It’s great for him, well deserved. He’s the only starter we […]

All about the reps: Rising QB stars turn to guru Keli‘i Tilton

By Paul Honda on July 9, 2021

From Division I college recruits to aspiring middle-school phenoms, the golden arms of Oahu turn to Keli‘i Tilton. Alaka‘i Yuen. Cameron Friel. Jayden Maiava. Blaine Hipa. John-Keawe Sagapolutle. Kekahi Graham. Whether it was prior to the pandemic or deep in the midst of it, gifted passers always went to the guru — and his QB Grind training process — to elevate their skill sets. Yuen was named the No. 2 JUCO quarterback of 2021 by ESPN this week. After committing […]

With 35 V/JV players, Nanakuli grinding away in the Valley

By Paul Honda on July 8, 2021

The heat, the dryness, the solitude. There’s nothing like being a Nanakuli Golden Hawk. Not before the pandemic. Not during it. There are roughly 35 Golden Hawks grinding in the weight room and on the dusty field in the Valley. Some are new junior varsity players. Some were on that gritty JV squad in 2019, well before football got cancelled. “The thing with this team, the last time we coached them was JV. They finished their (’19) season with only […]

Alohi Gilman and family give back via Empower Football Camp

By Paul Honda on July 7, 2021

Alohi Gilman and his family built it, and the masses will soon come. The former Kahuku scholar-athlete, now a defensive back for the Los Angeles Chargers, is hosting the Empower Football Camp on Friday at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium. The event, which requires a donation to the Hawaii Food Bank, is already filled up with more than 400 young players from 8 through high school. Gilman and his father, coach Asai Gilman, have enlisted the help of many big names […]