Despite OIA semifinal loss, No. 6 Kahuku making big strides

Kahuku celebrated a point during the OIA semifinals against Moanalua. Photo by Andrew Lee/Special to the Star-Advertiser.

The Lady Raiders of Kahuku are better now.

Happy, not quite. The long ride home from Moanalua gym after a four-set semifinal loss to unbeaten Mililani won’t ease the pain, but No. 6 Kahuku is not the same team it was at midseason.

Coach Tuli Tevaga can recall a fairly frustrating night at Moanalua, when her team was still finding chemistry. This time, down 2-1, Kahuku led No. 4 Mililani 20-14 in the fourth set. The match felt destined to go the maximum five.


Mililani’s 25-22, 25-17, 16-25, 25-23 win was so close to going the other way.

“I guess as a coach, I know they can do better. We fell short tonight, but we can only prepare for what’s to come in the state tournament,” Tevaga said. “The fighting spirit had a lot to do with it and brought momentum back to them. That’s probably a highlight for us.”


Senior Savannah Taosoga led Kahuku (9-2) with 18 kills. Sophomore Emma Mapu added nine kills and three blocks, and junior Mela Liua had seven kills and two aces. Sophomore Makayla Fonoimoana-Vaomu added three kills and two aces.

Kahuku (9-2) will play Kapolei for third place on Tuesday.


“All we can do is trust the training, we make adjustments. Not new adjustments. It’s all about making the change,” Tevaga said. “We’ve got to get ready for the state tournament.”

The New City Nissan/HHSAA State Championships will begin next Monday.

Division I

Match #DateMatchupTime/ScoresSite
1Oct. 9Kalaheo (E5) vs. Nanakuli (W4)Nan 25-18, 25-18, 25-18Farrington
2Oct. 9Leilehua (W6) vs. Farrington (E3)Far 25-13, 26-24, 25-13Farrington
3Oct. 9Kaiser (E4) vs. Aiea (W5)Kais 25-23, 25-22, 25-22Waianae
4Oct. 9Waianae (W3) vs. Roosevelt (E6)Wain 25-15, 25-18, 25-23Waianae
5Oct. 10Kapolei (W2) vs. FarringtonKapo 25-13, 22-25, 27-25, 25-11Moanalua
6Oct. 10Moanalua (E1) vs. NanakuliMoan 25-15, 25-16, 25-12Moanalua
7Oct. 10Kahuku (E2) vs. WaianaeKah 25-18, 25-15, 25-14Mililani
8Oct. 10Mililani (W1) vs. KaiserMil 25-9, 25-17, 25-14Mililani
9*Oct. 14Farrington vs. NanakuliFar 26-28, 18-25, 25-12, 25-21, 18-16Kalani
10*Oct. 14Waianae vs. KaiserWain 3-0Kalani
11Oct. 14Kapolei vs. MoanaluaMoan 25-18, 25-22, 25-19Moanalua
12Oct. 14Kahuku vs. MililaniMil 25-22, 25-17, 16-25, 25-23Moanalua
13*Oct. 15Farrington vs. WaianaeWain 25-18, 25-13, 15-24, 20-25, 15-12Farrington
14*Oct. 15Kapolei vs. KahukuKapo, 3-2Farrington
15Oct. 16Moanalua vs. MililaniMil 15-25, 28-26, 25-14, 21-25, 15-10Moanalua
* — consolation

Division II

Match #DateMatchupTime/ScoresSite
1Oct. 9Kalani (E2) vs. Waialua (W3)Kaln 25-23, 25-12, 25-14Pearl City
2Oct. 9Pearl City (W2) vs. Kailua (E3)PC 27-25, 25-7, 25-13Pearl City
3Oct. 10Campbell (W1) vs. KalaniKaln 23-25, 25-23, 25-22, 25-22McKinley
4Oct. 10McKinley (E1) vs. Pearl CityPC 25-18, 25-21, 14-25, 25-19McKinley
5Oct. 16Kalani vs. Pearl CityPC 25-17, 25-21, 25-21Moanalua

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