Sometimes, perfection is messy. A 30-minute downpour in normally sunny Ewa Beach set the tone for No. 1-ranked Kahuku’s 16-6 win over No. 4 Campbell. The slick, muddy field led to six Kahuku sacks — two by Leonard Ah You and two by Sione Pasi — as Campbell’s normally potent offense lost its traction. Running backs Va‘aimalae Fonoti and Clyde Taulapapa scored one touchdown each as Kahuku improved to 5-0 overall.
In my gut, this felt like a 9-3 kind of game. Two great defenses. Two teams with power and speed on the ground. Why not 9-3? But the second half of Kahuku and Punahou was an entirely different tone. Kahuku trailed 20-13 before rallying for a 27-20 win in one of the most exhilarating matchups ever between the two programs. Punahou nearly came, saw and conquered on Kahuku’s home turf. Reserve quarterback Ty McCutcheon was able to connect with speedy […]
With All-State offensive player of the year Kainoa Carvalho out (ankle), Kahuku stepped up in a big-play way for a 41-6 win over Waianae. Kaimana Carvalho opened the game with a 77-yard kickoff return, safety/wide receiver Brock Fonoimoana broke multiple tackles for a 60-yard TD and Clyde Taulapapa scored on a 41-yard TD run. Kahuku is now 2-0, 1-0 in OIA Open Division play. Waianae is 1-1 (0-1 OIA Open).
Kamehameha put up a fight, but right now, Kahuku is utterly dominant in all phases. A 49-0 win to open the 2022 season confirmed one thing: the defending Open Division state champions are fully prepared to repeat their success. A loss to Kahuku, which could land in the national rankings sooner rather than later, is a litmus test more than a failure. “Kahuku’s a great football team,” Kamehameha coach Abu Ma‘afala said. “Disciplined, play together, well coached, great athletes, great […]
Kahuku. St. John Bosco. Sept. 17. Most travel years, Kahuku ventures to Utah for exhibition clashes. This time, the defending Open Division state champions will head to Bellflower, Calif., where the perennial national-title contending Braves of St. John Bosco will be waiting. Coach Sterling Carvalho’s program won its first state title since 2015 last year, relying substantially on a strong junior class. Linebackers Liona Lefau and Leonard Ah You will return, as well as wide receiver Kainoa Carvalho. Without a […]
Here today, gone tomorrow. Just like that, the Saint Louis’ losses are the OIA’s gains. Freshman quarterback phenom Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele is transferring from Saint Louis to Campbell. One of his big-play targets, sophomore wide receiver Kache Kaio, is en route to Kahuku. Another stellar contributor, 6-foot-2, 358-pound offensive lineman Iapani “Poncho” Laloulu, has left Saint Louis and is returning to Farrington for his upcoming senior year. Laloulu cracked the rotation last year despite the presence and talent of 12 […]
This is the bridge that crossed over any remaining barriers for Kahuku football. The bridge remains open. Rebel Squad captured three more Pylon football titles this spring, including Mecca 2, extending a massive win streak dating back to the spring of 2021. The team defended its Hawaii National Guard tournament title, flew up to Utah to defend its Level Up crown, then arrived at Mecca 2 (Mesquite, Ariz.) prepared to another defense. Rebel Squad arrived with a full roster, including […]
Deion Sanders and Nick Saban are a part of Tausili Akana’s life. Not besties-level, but close enough to be on the wish lists of the two prominent college coaches. Over the course of 2021-22 academic year, nine more scholarship offers have arrived in the hands of Akana. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound outside linebacker now has 42 offers as a junior. He is ranked No. 1 among linebackers in the class of 2023 by 247sports.com. Deion Sanders, who has brought immense attention […]