Comments on: No. 6 Lahainaluna, Kauai only unbeaten neighbors

By: Northshore

Northshore — Fri, 28 Sep 2018 02:18:18 +0000

@Haoleboy: Factually figured it out. The affluent neighborhoods from Hawaii Kai to Manoa as you’ve mentioned, are primarily the upper class and surely they are the parents that prefer to send their children to ILH schools because they are able to afford the full tuition. If “financial aid” has vastly been depleted and recruiting theories are BS” why are talented athletes throughout the state still attending ILH schools whose parents can’t afford the full tuition? Something is definitely wrong cuz you’re not looking out of the box or can’t bring yourself to admit that “financial aid” is helping these athletes to attend the ILH schools. It’s part of their program and I’m just stating the facts and that’s OK but when the ILH people try to sugar coat the “Financial Aid” for recruiting talented athletes from public schools…auwe. Better yet, all ILH schools should field their teams in all sports with full paying tuition athletes and that becomes playing on the same playing field. No touting from OIA schools.

By: Haoleboy

Haoleboy — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 18:03:09 +0000

Northshore: I was mostly referring to the the greater Honolulu District where most of the ILH schools and their OIA counterparts,Kaiser, Kalani, Kaimuki, McKinley and Roosevelt are situated. The school districts that I referenced have relatively affluent neighborhoods from Hawaii Kai to Manoa so if you’re being honest, a lot of those families prefer to send their children to ILH schools. As a St. Louis Alum I can tell you that the financial aid gravy train has vastly been depleted over the years (verify this with Russell Valente). As you may recall, until 4 years ago, St. Louis was on the verge of closing due to financial hardship and the School is leveraged to the hilt. The recruiting and scholarship theories are largely b.s. but its still a very viable excuse that Kahuku and Mililani like to tout.

By: Northshore

Northshore — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 14:47:29 +0000

@Haoleboy: You failed to mention the the how and why talented athletes are attending ILH schools and playing sports. I agree, many families chose to send their children to ILH schools with the hope of getting a better education because parents are able to afford the full tuition. The fact that Punahou, St Louis and other ILH schools get several talented athletes is not because it has superior educational program but because they are able to offer “financial aid” to “talented athletes” whose parents cannot afford to pay the full tuition. The fact that the school does not offer “sports scholarship” is a known fact. The “financial aid” are provided by the Booster Club or rich alumnus. Oh yeah, it’s a known fact that superior educational programs by the ILH schools provide better college/education opportunities but don’t try to sugar coat how these “talented athletes” are recruited to play sports especially when the salary of their parents won’t qualify to pay the full tuition. Not complaining or whining…this type of known recruiting has been going on for years and it’s surely an opportunity for the athlete to further their athletic endeavors and college education and I say good for them. It’s a known fact…Go figa!!!

By: lunatics

lunatics — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 08:01:43 +0000

@ M and @ Bobby C I want to walk my comment back “The truth is it’s always been about the coaches at Lahainaluna, not the kids. Championships feed their ego.” Pretty harsh and I apologize, I know not all the coaches feel this way and would love to play up, but I think the one or two making that decision, it could be applied, the optics aren’t great. I’ve been a supporter of this program for a couple decades and I know there are plenty of other lunatics that have expressed the same views/opinions. Why else would you use the excuse that it’s because you want to send the two best teams from Maui to represent at states. Just worry about what’s best for your team and if Baldwin and Maui High can’t compete then that’s their problem/fault. I do stand by my comment that other coaches at the school laugh about it because I’ve heard it straight from their mouths. When you’re easily the best team on Maui you shouldn’t be playing in the lowest division in the state. When there were only two divisions then I agree, but three, no way, they’re too good and I’ll give the coaches all the credit in the world (and players) for that. Nobody is questioning that they have a great program, one of the best in the state. I’ll double down and say the players that I know (many on that team) all wish they could play D1 because they are athletes and competitors and want to beat the best. My money would be on them to take the D1 title this year and by the rankings I’m not the only one that thinks this. Let’s hope they move up next year and when they do the D1 title will be that much sweeter. It’ll show those boys from the ILH and OIA that the MIL is for real. I know these boys have it in them, they just need to be given the chance and nobody will be rooting for them more than me.

LLFL

By: Lunamom4Life

Lunamom4Life — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 07:07:34 +0000

Eh “LUNATIC”…sounds like you stay all butthurt behind your screen. What, coaches never play you enough? Or you was always on crutches on the sideline? My family has been through TWO generations of Lahainaluna coaches, my son was a third-generation Player, and I am forever grateful for what he learned from that staff, not only on the field, but most importantly, how to act off the field!
Maybe if those OTHER coaches focused on how to be a positive role model for their athletes instead of laughing about a SUCCESSFUL coaching staff, they might start bringing home some state championships too…

By: Bobby C

Bobby C — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 05:49:39 +0000

For those of you who think you know about our Lahainaluna football team or coaches, it’s obvious you don’t know what they represent or teach our kids. They have a proven system, that not only wins championships, but teaches these young men to be upstanding citizens. I know how hard these coaches work, and it’s not about their egos or winning. I don’t know how D1/D2 works, but I know this team Buss okole every season for get where they at.
If you from Lahaina, and you one true LUNATIC, then you know that we support ALL LAHAINALUNA athletics. If you crying about which division the football team stay in, MOVE!

By: M

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 05:27:15 +0000

Lunatics, (I think I know who dis) your right on most bro but, I gotta agree to disagree on a small portion. How often does Lahainaluna get an athlete that has the size and speed and power of an average football player? I talk about size cause size does matter. No matter how fast you are, a solid POP and that player goin have to take a break or 2. I’m sure that’s the reason why Lahaina is known to have multiple players per position and not having just 1 “Star”. Yep, not moving up to D1 this year was kinda nutts because we do have size and speed. But, gotta trust the coaches and the program..only because of the inconsistency of the turnout per year. Not only by the numbers but by the physical attributes of the players too. Just like goin to Iraq with one knife bro!..no can! We gotta go there with guns, and make sure we get more than enough bullets too!! Nemine what these guys sayin!! They dunno bah! We goin D1, and the boyz goin take that too!! Should have one Fantasy, winner take all D1 vs D2 at the end of the year! Ah, winner take all for everybody!! Get smashed by the open guys hahaha! Can say “at least we tried” haha

By: M

Thu, 27 Sep 2018 05:07:06 +0000

No worriezzz bah!!! They goin come D1! Always goin have naysayers to whoever is successful. Just like everything else..”opinions are like a-holes, everybody’s got one”. Unfortunately, in this case, most get bigger and no stinkier ones than others. Lahainaluna no need rankings or to be known. We better “unknown” and just play for the ring bu-nutts! Everything is a progress, and we progressing just fine. Sea Dog, dominating in Maui HS Football the past 2 years? that’s a very BIG compliment dude! But, the boys actually fought through those wins against Maui High and Baldwin. Won in OT against each of those 2 teams. Kamehameha Maui and King K we’re not as tough at that time but, they did have special players that prepped the boys for the big dance! ALL OF MAUI had a role for Lahainaluna’s success. Lahaina is the only team to beat the neighbor islands “TOP TEAM” in Kona, Kapaa, (ILH) Iolani and (OIA) Waipahu (Iolani and Waipahu smashing D1 right now). MIL is our sparring partners, and it paid off! If you don’t know, zip it! Cause you goin look dumb! Poaching? I guess it’s poaching when majority of your players is 5’6” 140lbs? (Past 2 years) but eh!…I would be mad at my team too if these little hammahz was running the table against my big sole’z from the “BIG CITY” of Oahu. Worst than Iolani?..again, your opinion (a-hole) is just bigger and stinkier than most. Have a BLESSED FOOTBALL SEASON BROTHA!!

By: Sea Dog

Sea Dog — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 02:37:37 +0000

Hey Lunatics. thank you for the insight. Last year I saw Iolani lose to Lahainaluna in a very close game. The Lunas are for real and I actually think that they are better than some of the teams in the Open Division and definitely better than many in Division 1. Over the years I’ve watched some very good Baldwin teams play against St. Louis, Kahuku and other Oahu powers. I remember Kaluka Maiava’s team that had a really tough little RB. MIL gotta do something about this bc Maui teams can compete at a higher level for sure.

By: lunatics

lunatics — Wed, 26 Sep 2018 04:41:34 +0000

@bangkokjoe and seadog. You both are so right. It is sad that Lahainaluna plays down in D2. They are a very good football team that deserves better and only have their coaches to blame. The kids want to play up because they are competitors, but it’s not their call. The excuse I’ve heard from the co-head coach is that they want to send the two best teams from Maui to represent in the state tournament. This means them playing D2 so one of the other perennial top teams, Maui High or Baldwin would represent D1, not a lesser team like King K or Kamehameha Maui. Blahblahblah!!!
Since when you ever care about Maui High and Baldwin lol. The truth is it’s always been about the coaches at Lahainaluna, not the kids. Championships feed their ego, which to them is more important than letting the kids reach their potential through better competition. This is no secret though, even coaches in other sports at the school that DO compete at the D1 level laugh and say what a joke it is. Too bad cuz it’s only hurting these great kids.