In a letter to parents released this afternoon, superintendent Christina Kishimoto said that all inter-scholastic events from Wednesday through Sunday have been postponed for the rest of the week due to the threat of Hurricane Lane.
This includes eight varsity football games on Oahu on Friday and six on Saturday.
5:40 p.m. UPDATE: At least five OIA/ILH games are canceled and will not be made up. Nanakuli’s game against Leilehua has been moved to Friday, Aug. 31. For further updates, our 2018 schedule page will be updated.
Many teams were scheduled to have a bye on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, meaning games could possibly be played then. A few teams have games scheduled on the mainland. Only ‘Iolani, Kaimuki and McKinley had games scheduled on Oahu that weekend.
“We’re going to do our best,” OIA executive director Ray Fujino said Tuesday afternoon. “We have a bye next week, but a lot of teams are traveling. We’ll try to make up what we can. It’s one of those years.”
Damien, Mililani, Campbell and Kapolei all have games scheduled for Aug. 31 on the mainland. ‘Iolani hosts Clackamas (Ore.) at 3:15 p.m. on Aug. 31 and the only OIA game of the weekend is Kaimuki playing McKinley on the night of Aug. 31.
Undefeated St. Francis, which got the most votes of any team not ranked in the Star-Advertiser Top 10 this week, was scheduled to play at Kaiser on Friday at 6 p.m.
“Yeah, we’re bummed. We understand it’s safety first,” Saints coach Kip Akana said. “We’re disappointed, but we hope everyone stays safe. Hopefully, we can make it up the following week during our bye.”
Kale Ane, Punahou’s longtime coach, said his team is practicing this afternoon, but added that the school will get official word from the ILH office.
“I heard about the (DOE cancellations), but it wasn’t confirmed until now,” Ane said. “We’re just trying to get ahead of it all. We’re practicing today, but we’re in the process of sending notes about the next few days. We’re just waiting for confirmation from the league. School is still on. Practice, we’re not sure, probably not. If anybody misses practice today for family concerns, there won’t be any repercussions, of course.”
Veteran Saint Louis coach Cal Lee can’t recall another situation like this that affected Oahu as drastically.
“Never. As far back as I can go, I’ve never seen this,” he said. “These games don’t count (for the OIA), so why would you play the game?”
Lee isn’t in favor of rescheduling games to Monday night, either.
“No. How can you practice? Without practice, it’s a wash,” he said. “The game’s over.”
This week’s schedule of postponed games on Oahu is below:
Friday, Aug. 24
>> Kapolei at Kahuku, 7:30 p.m.
>> Punahou at Farrington, 6 p.m.
>> ‘Iolani at Moanalua, 7:30 p.m.
>> Castle at Waipahu, 7:30 p.m.
>> Damien at Aiea, 7:30 p.m.
>> St. Francis at Kaiser, 6 p.m.
>> Leilehua at Nanakuli, 7:30 p.m.
>> Kailua at Radford, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 25
>> Saint Louis at Mililani, 6:30 p.m.
>> Campbell at Waianae, 6:30 p.m.
>> Waialua vs. Kalaheo, at Kailua High field, 5 p.m.
>> Pearl City vs. McKinley, at Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium, 6:30 p.m.
>> Kaimuki vs. Pac-Five, at Skippa Diaz Stadium, 6 p.m.
>> Roosevelt vs. Kalani, at Kaiser Stadium, 6:30 p.m.
Umm okay. But if you move Kaimuki vs Pac5 to next weekend, when will McKinely play Kaimuki? Cause Kaimuki plays in Vegas the weekend after that.
It seems like Cal Lee is focused only on his team and ILH especially when his team is scheduled to play Mililani, who I’m sure is looking forward to play St Louis. Lee’s quote, ” isn’t in favor of rescheduling games to Monday night either.” All the schools are playing under the same “hurricane condition” so let the league officials figure out what will be the best scenario. Lee’s quote, “These games don’t count (for the OIA) so why would you play the game?” There are games that do count: Kahuku vs Kapolei, Campbell vs Waianae in the open division. Just one of the problems when the OIA agreed to join forces with the ILH…. ILH (Lee) will start whining when they object to the changes because of unfortunate circumstances. Just go with the flow or the OIA can revert back to their own league and the ILH compete within their league.
Of course Cal Lee is only focused on the team. He’s the architect of the ILH agenda with his boy Keith Amemiya. Don’t be surprised to see cal on the recruiting trail knocking on people’s doors during the hurricane. it’s what the ILH is about. profits over people
All cry babies, what’s the problem, you all just hate the best team in the State, you all bunch of whiners.
As a former ILH and BIIF parent who went to an OIA school and is married to someone from the MIL, I am qualified to look at this from a holistic point of view. First of all, realize there is something beyond OIA and ILH. Then realize that profits are what make the prep world go round. The word “profit” may be filthy and pornographic on Oahu, but used in its proper context on the neighbor islands, it can be genuine, complete, crystaline, pure. Profits pay for young our men and women to wear nice uniforms. Profits take the pressure off of hard-working service industry parents who would otherwise have to reach deep into their pockets to make up the difference. Profits pay for the Roberts Hawaii school bus for a six-hour trip from Pahala to Kapaau, or the $225 Hawaiian Air plane ride from Molokai to Kahului via Honolulu to play Seabury in Upcountry Maui.
I sent my boy to Kamehameha, and the resources the princess graciously provided for him to play volleyball at Kapalama made it so much easier for his brother to play football at Konawaena and their sister to play tennis for the Wildcats. Maybe we could have afforded it, but it would have taken away from other aspects of their lives.
We’re taking a BIG hit this weekend in West Hawaii as Kealakehe was slated to play Konawaena at Yates Field this weekend in Kealakekua. I get it; act of god, no can help. But this game, when it’s played, attracts huge crowds. It is truly Hawaii’s version of the “Civil War,” as it pits North Kona against South Kona, cousin against cousin, generation vs. generation. Almost impossible to duplicate: Maui-Lahainaluna? Sort of; Punahou-Kamehameha? out of context; Hilo-Waiakea? Naah! Unfortunately, the money not generated by this game may come out of the pockets of immigrant Hispanic soccer parents, or blue-collar volleyball parents.
Hurricane Whatevas is not coming, people! Chill out and enjoy the games!
I can’t believe Cal Lee can’t remember what happened 4 years ago. This isn’t the first time there’s been a postponement of a Mililani-St. Louis game. That happened 4 years ago.
ILH: Just stating the facts. Not whining and if you read the article, it’s more like Lee is whining. St Louis is surely one of the best teams in the state and it’s not a matter of hating them. It’s become a challenge for any OIA team to beat a stacked team like St Louis and when that happens and it has happen, it’s an accomplishment especially when it was accomplished by the hard work of “home grown” talented athletes. The open league has made it more challenging and right now, St Louis is the team to beat, no doubt about that.
Cal Lee, Just Retire already👎🏽
Everybody be safe! Das da most important thing. St LuLu will probably still play Millz in States. And if not, no biggie…they need the rest anyway…they not use to this tough of a schedule.
Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
Cal Lee is the reason coaches from mainland came to Hawaii in droves! Yes there were kids that were getting scholarships before St. Louis’ rise but during that time coaches were coming for St. Louis players and found gems at other local schools. ILH and OIA superfans are what make this comment section ridiculous! Ya’ll one-sided and don’t want to hear any other arguments then it turns into personal bashing! High School is over for most of us! Be rational!
??? St. Louis’ success and the ILH’s success over the past 2 decades has benefitted the mediocre OIA teams; now more than ever as they can claim more head to head match ups. ??? typically makes no sense but I’m surprised that TooMeke and Annywaaays aren’t advancing the discussion.