Football

The questions were offered and many coaches responded. From Cal Lee (Saint Louis) and Wendell Look (‘Iolani) of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, to neighbor-island coaches like Garret Tihada (Lahainaluna) of the Maui Interscholastic League and Kaeo Drummondo (Hilo) of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, feedback about the state tournament and the OIA-ILH alliance is varied. It is golden. Coaches were thumbs up across the board about the alliance and the state-tournament format, and some had a few suggestions along […]

Lahainaluna’s three straight Division II football state championships have gotten people talking. Will the Lunas — who went undefeated against D-I and D-II competition this season — move up? Co-head coach Garret Tihada was asked for his thoughts right after Lahainaluna defeated Kapaa 34-32 in the D-II final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships on Saturday at Aloha Stadium. His answer at the time — he still had some celebrating to do — was concise and ambiguous. Basically, […]

Saint Louis junior quarterback Jayden de Laura was named the offensive most valuable player and Punahou senior Marist Liufau was awarded with the defensive most valuable player award to headline the ILH Open Division all-star team released today as voted on by league coaches. Saint Louis’ Cal Lee was named Coach of the Year. The all-star team is listed below. ILH Open All Stars Offensive MVP—Jayden de Laura, QB, Saint Louis Defensive MVP—Marist Liufau, DB, Punahou Coach of the Year—Cal […]

In the emotional aftermath of a dramatic comeback and third consecutive state championship, Lahainaluna coach Garret Tihada’s immediate thoughts went to an absent friend. “I treasure it a lot because this game is for one of our good friends, Barry Kubo,” Tihada said. The Lunas co-head coach went on explain that Kubo — a 1986 graduate, former coach on the staff and police officer — was in a far more significant fight as he deals with cancer. Yet he sent the […]

The season is done, and year 1 of the OIA-ILH football alliance provides us with immense data. Coaches weigh in on whether it worked or not in today’s Star-Advertiser feature, which you can read here. None of is surprising. ILH teams won 37 out of 50 matchups with their Open, Division I and D-II brethren from the OIA. (Note: This is based on games played before St. Francis was required by the ILH to forfeit its eight games in league/interleague […]