The year 2001 was all about Kahuku under coach of the year Siuaki Livai, who led the Red Raiders to a 14-0 record and a state championship.
Kahuku extended its winning streak to 23 consecutive games with offensive player of the year Inoke Funaki at quarterback and defensive player of the year Jonathan Mapu a force on the defensive line. The Honolulu Advertiser shared offensive player of the year honors between Funaki and running back Mulivai Pula.
Pula scored on an 81-yard TD run to help Kahuku beat Saint Louis, 21-14, in the state final.
The Advertiser put eight Red Raiders on its first team while the Star-Bulletin had six. Senior offensive lineman Suliasi Lautaha and defensive lineman Darrell Tachibana were the two first teamers by the Advertiser left off the first team by the Star-Bulletin. Funaki, Pula, Mapu, defensive back Sola Soliai and offensive lineman Kalavi Blanchard were unanimous first-team selections from both newspapers.
Other unanimous first-team selections included Saint Louis WR Jason Rivers, Kailua OL Samson Satele, Kamehameha DL Abu Ma’afala, ‘Iolani DL Donny Mateaki, Kamehameha DL Brandon Ala and Saint Louis LB Timo Paepule.
Ala and Mateaki ended up at Washington and Ma’afala went to California. Rivers, Satele and Paepule, along with Funaki, stayed home to play for Hawaii.
For a listing of all prep football all-star teams over the years that have been posted, click here.
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Big Red with one of the best overall teams ever in the State of Hawaii of history. Too bad Long Beach Poly didn’t come play them in 2001, would’ve been a good game.