Comments on: Arms race: Punahou yet to be challenged

By: Jay.Cee

Jay.Cee — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 07:11:24 +0000

This is a great write-up, Paul, and I commend you for writing what I have also been thinking for a long time. This article touches on the importance of a quality education and the sacrifices many parents make to send their kids to Punahou. It explains why many would choose to attend this private school instead of “playing in their own backyard”. It’s true that many talented kids do come from Kahuku and Punahou never claimed that they came from elsewhere. Think about this, if you want to complain about staying “in your own backyard” then why play for a mainland college team? Why not stay in Hawaii to play for and attend UH? Isn’t the reason local kids choose to play on the mainland, the same reason why many student athletes choose Punahou? For the opportunities that are created when you play for a great team and attend a great school. Going to a school to play for a great sports program is one thing and going to a school for top-notch education is another. Punahou offers both.

IRT Da Reddest Raider – yes, this article is written during football season but this Punahou dynasty that he writes about goes beyond that…way beyond that. If you don’t believe me, look at the NATIONAL FEDERATION OF STATE HIGH SCHOOL ASSOCIATIONS’ record book and type in Punahou. To save you some time, I’ve already done it. Here are the results: Volleyball (boys) – 31 state championships (1972-2013), Swimming and Diving (girls) – 47 state champships (1958-2012), Cross Country (girls) – 25 state championships (1973-2012), Track and Field (girls) – 35 state championships (1967-2013), Swimming and Diving (boys) – 40 state championships (1958-2010), Track and Field (boys) – 32 state championships(1959-2011), Soccer (boys) – 18 state championships (1976-2011), Tennis (girls) – 39 state championships (1953-2013), Tennis (boys) – 46 state championships (1958-2013). There may not be football listed but he’s implying that it can be added to the prestige that comes from the sports programs at the school. Like you said, “Now THAT is a winning TRADITION”.

IRT Sparklin – Since you’re pointing out mistakes and errors, I would like to point out your misuse of facts, or should I say incorrect facts. Punahou does not owe you guys for anything you say you “created”. Let’s take a look, shall we? The Haka – this was performed FIRST by the All Blacks rugby team before their first game in 1888. Thank you, All Blacks. The washcloth – this was started by the Pittsburgh Steelers’ radio broadcaster (at that time), Myron Cope, and first used in 1975. Also known as The Terrible Towel. Thank you, Pittsburgh and Myron. The “Raider Nation” slogan – first created and then TRADEMARKED by the Oakland Raiders when they moved back to Oakland from Los Angeles, in the early 1980’s. Thank you, Oakland. Tomahawk chop (which I’ve seen Kahuku do) – first created by Florida State University in the 1980’s. It was also used by the Atlanta Braves in the 1990’s. Thank you, FSU Seminoles and Atlanta Braves. There is nothing used that wasn’t done or created BEFORE you. And while we’re at it, you guys better thank those same people too.

By: Sparklin

Sparklin — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 09:07:54 +0000

I’m not sure if the author is a Punahou alum, as is CABS, however I’ll be the first to point out your extreme misuse of hybolical words and poor grammar. Punahou may have an enticing package to offer but it seems to have been unhelpful for you both. Kahuku is the team to beat, the team to recruit from, and the team that loves all our players, even the ones we share with you. Basically, you’re welcome. You’re welcome for all the natural talent that your team lacks, you’re welcome for all the slogans you borrow because your “geniuses” didn’t think of it, you’re welcome for all the haka/washcloth/chanting traditions you need because your education blocked you from any real culture. RR4L We create not imitate. You’re welcome!!

By: Da Reddest Raider

Da Reddest Raider — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 20:56:03 +0000

Punahou has only won 2 State championships and Miliani only 1 OIA Championship. How is that a “winning tradition”?
Kahuku has 9 OIAs and 7 state Championships. Now THAT is a winning TRADITION my friend. Plus all our talent is homegrown from our backyard.

By: Shaka dat

Shaka dat — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 04:48:48 +0000

Punahou is yet to be Challenged cause they playing in that week ILH Division.!!

By: maukamakai

maukamakai — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 02:17:22 +0000

@D-Zilla, the article defines “build it and they will come” as the reason why athletes are wanting to transfer to a successful program like Mililani or Kaiser, not so much that those schools are out “Recruiting” the athlete to come and play for them. Success attracts more success.

Unfortunately for us at Kahuku “build it and they will come” means the ILH recruiters will come. Success attracts aku birds.

At the end of the day though we are happy for our north shore kids that are playing for ILH schools and getting that exposure to open their minds in ways that public schools cant do. Sports will someday end but the mind goes on forever.

By: Northshore

Northshore — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 02:07:57 +0000

IRT Cabs: I have to agree with you that Punahou offers what every serious parent and athlete strives for: top-level education, college prep courses and it looks great on the college application and resume. But besides that, “Blue Chip” athletes are on the radar from the time they’re playing Pop Warner and JV football. Surely there’s a lot of misconception and rumors but the fact of the matter is, some of the misconceptions that you’re tired of hearing are true believe or not. Many parents with “Blue Chip” athletes cannot afford to send their son/daughter because of their low income. Parents and athlete are approached by the coaching staff because of their exceptional athletic ability, not because of being a genius. “Financial Aid” are offered and what reason would the parents and athlete from a low-income family not transfer to Punahou because of his/her ability to play sports. Did Punahou not merely recruit the student for his/her athletic ability? Football (or any other sport) is everything at Punahou especially when it recruits the exceptional athletes throughout the state and that is not a misconception. The positive element between a public and private school is when an athlete is recruited and transfers to a private school because of the “Financial Aid” provided, to play the main objective…Sports.

By: Recruiter808

Recruiter808 — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 01:29:26 +0000

What is there to investigate? Schools recruit because they are tired of not being able to compete and they want to win. Can you blame Mililani? I would be tired too if the Marching band was winning more than the Football team. Kids from the North Shore attend Punahou because of the opportunities and prestige that Punahou offers them and not because of Football. If they wanted to be State Champions in Football they would have a better chance if they stayed at Kahuku. The News paper writes articles about Punahou as if their some kind of Football Dynasty when they are far from it. How many State titles have they won? How many times have they been to the State Championship game? If you look from 1999 to 2013 St. Louis has more State titles and more appearances in the Title game then Punahou and Kahuku beats them every time they play each other in the title game anyway.

By: D-Zilla

D-Zilla — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 01:13:09 +0000

AWESOME ARTICLE PAUL! Now how bout an in-depth investigative article or series of articles about the “recruiting” going on at Mililani? That would be awesome! If Rich Miano were still at Kaiser, I’d include them as well. Let me know what you think.

By: Cabs

Cabs — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:50:08 +0000

Thanks for writing such an awesome article Paul! It enforces what I’ve been trying to explain to many people, not so such on this website but more so to family/friends, etc. I for one am a Punahou alumnus and I’m tired of the misconceptions and rumors surrounding the school.

” What Punahou offers is something every parent wants for his/her children: top-level education and — this is probably more important — prestige. Punahou looks great on the college application or resume.”

Exactly this^. Students transfer into Punahou NOT just to play sports, but also because it opens the doors wider for opportunities for his/her future. So the school did not merely “steal” the student for his/her athletic talent; his/her family saw it as an opportunity. Football (or any other sport) isn’t everything at Punahou. It attracts “geniuses, athletes, and genius athletes”.

By: maukamakai

maukamakai — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 22:38:51 +0000

Nice write up Mr. Honda, Punahou is not a lock for the state title this year in football, until Kahuku hangs up their shoes and the season is done, don’t count out the Big Red!

Even though Punahou, St. Louis and Kamehameha combine to have 10+ players every year on their teams that should be starting for Kahuku we still got secret weapons that unleash themselves in the playoffs. LOL