Kahuku head coach Vavae Tata released John Hao as the Red Raiders’ offensive coordinator after Friday’s 28-0 victory over Waianae, according to two trusted Honolulu Star-Advertiser sources.
Reached by phone this morning, Hao did not want to discuss the issue. Phone calls to Tata and Kahuku athletic director Gillian Yamagata were not immediately returned.
Hao, the former Saint Louis and University of Hawaii standout quarterback, came on board with the Kahuku offense when Tata was hired to start the 2015 season. The team has gone 16-0 since then and captured the 2015 Division I state championship.
Throughout that span, the Kahuku offense has found most of its success with a jumbo package that includes a wildcat-style quarterback, two blocking backs, two tight ends and no wide receivers. So far this season, the Red Raiders have been switching between that offense and a traditional offense led by freshman quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava, who received a scholarship offer to play at Michigan before he took his first high school snap.
Maiava is 19-for-41 for 231 yards and two touchdowns in three games. Backup Cameron Renaud, a senior is 5-for-10 for 106 yards and a TD. In addition, three Kahuku ball carriers — Elvis Vakapuna, Steven Lombard and Harmon Brown — have all rushed for three touchdowns.
One of the two sources said that Loga Fonoimoana has been promoted from wide receivers coach to offensive coordinator, and that it’s possible that some Kahuku assistants may appeal to Tata on behalf of Hao and for his reinstatement.
The Red Raiders (3-0, 3-0 OIA Blue) host Campbell on Saturday and visit Radford on Sept. 9 before taking on the top-ranked team in the nation – Bishop Gorman — in Las Vegas on Sept. 17.
Hao spoke with the Star-Advertiser’s Paul Honda after the game:
Well at least this is a more confirmed source. Still not enough to stop the Red Machine.
There was talk about him leaving after last season. Maybe this is his way of leaving without it looking like he quit…?
I think Tata wanted to see more developement in the passing game. The jumbo package works most of the time but it’s a matter of time before it stalls. We know that last year when the “Stanford” package was used, Tata was the architect. With the talent at Kahuku, a more dominating passing game should have been developed. Even if Kahuku won this past Friday against Waianae, it was a brutal physical game.
Troll alerts going off. This post should hit 70 by this afternoon.
@unity=strength…. that’s pride and history for you rite there…. Kahuku nd St Louis don’t just want “W’s”, you send a message with it…. maybe Okimoto can swallow some pride and try to bring Hao to Farrington.
@Alpha – Okimoto should have retired 10 years ago lol He’s killing their program.
Admin can you ban “Education First” nothing but a troll who wants to immediately turn the comment section negative
Let it be known, Coach Tata let Hao go and not the Kahuku community….Good luck coach Hao and thank you for helping our football team…
@SimpleSimon…. oh I’ll be the first to say Okimoto should have been let go. But this article kind of proves my point to @unity=strength on the comments we had on the “Blues in GOVS mansion article.
Thank you Hao for your professionalism and dedication to our community.
Awfully quiet this morning,is Tata and Braddha Les the only 2 Crusaders left on staff?
Admin can you ban homegrown for being a crybaby?
Kahuku, while being talented and successful over the past 20 years, have never been known as a passing team.
They win with girth from the line. They often dominate on the offensive and defensive lines. This allows them to grind out wins and run. Running wears down their opponents.
Over the past 20-25 years, when did Kahuku ever develop a passing qb unless it was an anomaly. OC Hao isn’t a miracle worker.
Passing usually involves a higher level of IQ. Does the kids at Kahuku have it? It doesn’t look that way based on their academic standing.
Now if the directions are to play hard, hit someone harder, and win by being physical, then that is right up Kahuku’s alley.
If the game plan is to incorporate a higher level passing game based on more reads and calls, then that is probably not in Kahuku’s best interest.
@educationfirst…. so what do you call Kahuku’s secondary that’s been shutting down teams that incorporates a higher level passing game based on reads and calls?…. What level of IQ does that require?
For the last couple of years Kahuku’s program has seen its share of controversy. Now here’s another one just before the mid-point of the season. This story was based on two sources close to the program. Reasons will surface either from coach Tata himself or the AD or someone within the administration. Just standby and let the process play out.
Get a room you guys
Education First not being a crybaby. Just gets old reading your same song over and over belittling students. Nothing better to do with your life than anonymously post negative things on a sports forum.
If you were so concerned about it, drop your name so we can set up a meeting with you and the admin at the school to get some real solutions going.
Look, guys. The bottom line is that Kahuku is holding its coaches accountable for their actions. The Farrington administration is not, which is why Coach Okimoto is still the head coach. Ignore all of the classroom issues, test scores, and girth. Farrington needs to move in a different direction. Kahuku is clearly not afraid to do so and enjoys success. Maybe the next coach at Farrington can find a way to open up that one Tonga and Samoa pipeline that people keep saying Kahuku has.
Either way, say NO to NOkimoto
@ Idiocy First
How high of an IQ does it take to stop the run with a bunch of D1 talent on your defense?
Hmmm… Let’s go ask St Louis or Punahou shall we? Nope. Nada. Apparently too high for them.
What do all successful companies, programs etc do on a consistent basis? They stick to what they do best. Just look at the Fortune 50 companies as examples. They rarely, if ever, deviate from their proven formulas for success.
Why would you expect anything less from Kahuku Football? Doing so reflects your immense ignorance, and I dare say, stupidity on the subject matter.
So go stick to whatever it is you do best. Which, most likely, is not Education. But don’t worry…you can correct that. Go get you some.
AAAAAAAALLLLOOOOOOOOHHHHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!
zzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz
OK, who knows why? Vavae Tata and John Hao were teammates while at St Louis High.
Why is everyone on Hao’s nuts? He got released from St Louis, he wasn’t a standout at UH, and at Pearl Harbor….Nevermind. Tata looks like a no nonsense guy, Hao probably said something that got him into trouble. Someone will tell the true story on this soon.
No need OC when you running the ball 99% of the time. Michigan Recruit throwing the ball less than 8 times a game. Anybody can call the plays in this offense.
The Brotherhood want them both out bcause Kahuku is becoming too successful ooooooooophhaaa!
Alpha August 29, 2016 at 12:33 pm
@educationfirst…. so what do you call Kahuku’s secondary that’s been shutting down teams that incorporates a higher level passing game based on reads and calls?…. What level of IQ does that require?
Well if it’s involving Kahuku kids, then maybe I would call it pedestrian? And what high level passing offenses are being run in Hawaii? You do know this is Hawaii High School football right? This isn’t exactly the top tier for high school football. Hawaii might be about tier 4 or tier 3 at best for the nation. And I am being very generous.
Homegrown August 29, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Education First not being a crybaby. Just gets old reading your same song over and over belittling students. Nothing better to do with your life than anonymously post negative things on a sports forum.
If you were so concerned about it, drop your name so we can set up a meeting with you and the admin at the school to get some real solutions going.
My name is Falafa Sofia. What is your name Homegrown? Let me guess, Joe Smith?
@EducationFirst…. it’s just a question based off of your opinion stating “If the game plan is to incorporate a higher level passing game based on more reads and calls, then that is probably not in Kahuku’s best interest.” …… I must say tho, the opinions you have about Hawaii High school Football (because you provide no proof of your claims) is very glass is half empty. Is there anything positive you would like to share in this forum about Hawaii H.S football since you seem to consistently oppose of every comment towards you…..
“what high level passing offenses are being run in Hawaii?” Are you serious? There is a kid who plays QB for St. louis. Have you ever heard of him? There was also 3 kids from Mililani last year that ah never mind…… I will let you educate yourself. killing me
Wainae and Farrington could use an offense coordinator or at least a passing game coordinator with their elementary levels as games.
**Elementary level pass game**
Guys, all of you guys are arguing over whether or not Hao should’ve been fired. What does the Kalihi community have to do to get Coach Okimoto fired? You wanna talk about no pass game? Coach Okimoto has been consistently losing at the higher levels because we lack any kind of passing offense when our power run game gets stuffed. As soon as we run into teams with better athletes (Kahuku) or a sophisticated passing offense that can score points (mililani, st louis, punahou, etc) and have to play from behind, we get effed. We get effed in the A.
WE NEED CHANGE. And i’m not the only one in the Kalihi community saying this. There are A LOT of us.
Say NO to NOkimoto!
If he has the grades and the book smarts, the Kahuku quarterback should transfer to Saint Louis or Punahou; Mililani, Leilehua, or Kapolei if he doesn’t. You can’t develop your quarterback talent throwing the ball eight times a game, not forcing him to make complicated reads, and running a full house backfield with two tight ends. This is the 21st century. If he wants to develop as a passer to prep him for the next level, he’s going to need to go to a school that runs a more modern wide-open attack.
The problem with Kahuku for that quarterback is that because their athletes are so superior from the Tonga/Samoa connection, all they need to do is line up across the line of scrimmage and play power football. And because they always win a lot of games, there is pressure to continue winning versus practicing something they’re not very good at and developing their quarterback talent.
Kahuku will always win football games because they have superior athletes. Scheme doesn’t matter. Sol Jay may be on a team that wins states/is competing for states, but will he actually get a scholarship to michigan throwing 8 times a game and handing off the ball?
Doubtful.
@NOkimoto…. Sorry to say but Randell is going nowhere. The only one person who can make the change is H. Tanaka(AD) and there’s no way he gonna let his boy go. Especially if Randell is in line to be the next AD….
Jeezyy you know nothing about football please get a hammer and hit your computer screen 8 times. Randal Okimoto is not the problem with Farrington losing games. RR4L
99boiz, I didnt’ say anything about Farrington, and if you think I”m wrong then show me why, otherwise, please take that hammer and hit your head 8 times. Maybe some sense will be knocked into you.
Okay, so yeah, I guess you can win with smash mouth. Never mind about my earlier tirade about reads and all Dat. No none of the supposed ILH elites have figured out how to take the Koa out of North Shore. So, yeah, I guess Alabama don’t use smash mouth on O and D? They must be behind the curve. After all run and shot like Oregon wins College National Championships? Ok, was that clear?
@The Red Sea, yet all or over 70 comments at least 50% will be out of context like already noticing the comments about Coach Okimoto undesirable results instead of Coach John Hao being released? Still, I believe John Hao got several alternatives whereas why shouldn’t an OC have 4 downs/tries be THE MAN again, anyway good luck to John Hao in his search?
Hao will follow Rod York when he get the Iolani job…called it here first. Lol.
Jeezy33First: “Okay, so yeah, I guess you can win with smash mouth. Never mind about my earlier tirade about reads and all Dat. ”
I already said you can win using a full house backfield with bigger stronger athletes at the high school level. Kahuku obviously does this. I was talking about how Sol Jay will develop as a passer for the next level (he won’t) because the offense just calls half back dives up the middle with a full house backfield and he only throws 8 passes a game. Try to keep up with me. Or learn how to read.
Preferably both.
” So, yeah, I guess Alabama don’t use smash mouth on O and D? They must be behind the curve.”
BZZT. Try again. Alabama runs a pro-style offense with a lot of spread concepts. They also throw the ball, on average, 30 times a game. They don’t run full house backfield and I formation and run up the middle for 3 yards and a cloud of dust. That kind of caveman football hasn’t been seen at the college (except for a very few exceptions like the service academies and georgia tech, who run option offenses) or professional levels since the mid 80s.
“After all run and shot like Oregon wins College National Championships? ”
BZZZT. Wrong again. Oregon doesn’t run the “run and shot.” they play a spread option focusing on the inside and outside zone read. They don’t play the run and shoot or a pass happy air raid. They’re fundamentally a running team.
Jesus Christ, do you even know ANYTHING about football? Please educate yourself before talking to me.
Iolani could use York and his Aiea, Waipahu, Kalihi and Waianae recruiting pipelines. When Hao follows they could develop the next Iolani Champonship quarterback.
So John Hao got his walking release yet believe it he got plans and it’s no for any OC position but he wants the white hat Head Coach in command of his dream team but he’ll go to a school with a big student body, boost with funding, elite teaching faculty and educated and congenial community; that’s where you’ll find John next?
People,
Give it a rest. Kahuku passes more in a game this year than it did in two games last year. Ever notice how the top draft pick gets thrust into playing right away for pro teams, because they want results right away? Kahuku has the luxury of not relying on him for wins week in and week out. Look at last years stats, rushing yards and passing yards, it was really lopsided on the rush. This year? 1/3 passing yards, 2/3 rushing. Last season average scoring, 41. This season, 42.3 (through 3 games). Rushing yards per game last season, 249. Passing last season, 43. Rushing yards this season, 197. passing yards this season, 111. Kahuku is passing more, same total output, slightly more points. Check the stats. The QB is 19 of 42. Divide 42 by 3 games and you get 14 attempts per game. I like reading all your posts, but get your stats correct.
Don’t be jealous, that they can win with out a “high flying offense” like St Louis was called last year. By the way, St louis only scored 40 points per game while moving the ball 470 yards each game, while Kahuku scored 41 points per game moving the ball less than 300 yards per game. You can throw the ball all you like. St Louis has only played one game and their QB is 10 of 14, or if you want to triple his attempts to 42, he might be 30 of 42, but hes an “experienced” senior. The other Tagovailoa is only 59 % completion, compared to Maiava’s 45%.
So, stop harping on Kahukus lack of a passing game, everyone else does not have that much more of one (percentage wise).
By the way, what is the GPA requirement for your school? What percentage of kids play sports at your school? You might be surprised by those stats.
@Chloropicrin, very hardly that York and Hao will end up at Iolani like no way that’s possible whereas when they both get release there like then they both couldn’t qualify to become clergyman; now if York leave, Hao may want Mililani for his dream team and I believe coaching football at Mililani for York are with mixed feelings this season; the vacuum is now at low for York’s position?
I hope the source is correct, Loga is more than capable. That took some Big Kohones to do this at this point….Good Luck John Hao, I will always be grateful for your time here. You helped Right the Ship, I wish you all the Best.
Thanks Coach Hao for taking the time and putting in the effort with our boys out here on the North Shore. Best of luck in the future.
Thank you Coach Hao! Wish you all the best! Except for when you play us!
Next man up.
RR4L!
Bad move on Kahuku’s part John proved him self as an excellent coach
Inside scoops is Hao has some personal issues to resolve. Tata didn’t want to let him go but for the safety of the team, he had to. If the truth came out you all would be shocked so let’s just leave it at that out of respect for Hao and his family.
Good Luck Coach Hao in your future and hope you and your family are safe and prosper in the next chapter of your life and are rewarded with everything that is GOOD and GLORIOUS in this life and no im not just saying this because you helped us win a championship because some would think that if we lost in the playoffs we would throw rocks at your car and call you a scum sucking good for nothing….uh….well, no we wouldnt do that and would still wish you the best! 🙂
What is more troubling than this Hao dismissal/firing is the story I read in this morning’s edition of the SA. It said many seniors at Kahuku are taking Trigonometry. Isn’t that like a 10th grade (or possibly a 9th grade honors class) class at Iolani and Punahou? What is the 11th grade math class at Kahuku? Arithmetic?
@ Simple Simon
Mahalos for the update and If that is the case, I’m glad that he went out on his own terms.