After the Oahu Interscholastic Association announced it would not enter any of its teams into the Open Division of the state football tournament this year, a counterproposal for an alternate three-division field has been proposed, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser learned Saturday.
Right now, the format passed by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association includes an Open Division of four OIA teams and two Interscholastic League of Honolulu teams, a Division I tournament of three OIA teams and one team each from the ILH, Big Island Interscholastic Federation and Maui Interscholastic League, and a D-II tournament of two OIA teams and one team each from the ILH, BIIF, MIL and Kauai Interscholastic Federation.
The latest counterproposal has an unnamed top tier with three OIA teams and one ILH team, a middle tier of two BIIF teams and one team each from the ILH and MIL, and a lower tier of two OIA teams along with one team from the ILH, MIL and KIF.
In all, there would be four less teams competing in the state championship tournament (two less from the OIA and one less each from the ILH and BIIF).
It is unclear where the counterproposal originated. According to one high-ranking OIA official, it began with HHSAA executive director Chris Chun, who presented it to the OIA at that league’s meeting of principals and athletic directors on Friday. But that source’s information conflicts with an email forwarded to the Star-Advertiser that was originally sent by ILH assistant exeuctive director Georges Gilbert to ILH ADs and executives. In that email, Gilbert wrote that the counterproposal was an idea sent to the ILH from the OIA (with no mention that it first came from the HHSAA) for perusal before it moves on to the HHSAA football committee for discussion and possible passage.
Calls to Gilbert, Chun, OIA executive director Ray Fujino and OIA football coordinator Harold Tanaka for clarification were unsuccessful.
Nick Abramo has the full story you can read in Sunday’s newspaper.
Comments are welcome below.
So essentially its the same format as what was already proposed, but the Top division goes back to the old D1 size in terms of the number of OIA/ILH teams and no OIA participation in the middle tier? Correct me if I’m wrong, but this sort of sounds like the two biggest problems the OIA had with the original proposal was the number of ILH teams in the Top division and how to split the OIA’s two divisions between three state playoff divisions. I can’t remember any OIA official citing those two potential reasons as official reasons for their opposition, but it seems to be that way.
The oia is like a spoiled kid. If you don’t get what you want then throw a tantrum. Didn’t everyone agree except the oia. Like I said before it’s the Hawaii state championship not the oia state championship. They should move on without the oia and call there bluff. I guarantee the fans wouldn’t let the oia ruin the state football tournament. It’s only hurting the kids.
The HHSAA messed everything by even starting a three tier tournament last year.
The OIA does not owe anyone anything. Its the HHSAA and ILH who think and act like they know whats best for OIA schools and the rest of the state. Why was there no backlash or criticism last year when no Neighbor Island team wanted to play in the Open div yet their 3 votes (MIL/KIF/BIIF) voted to create the open? Now that the OIA is following the example of the outerislands and not declaring to play in the Open division you guys make a big deal out of it?
….it was so obviuos last year when the two ILH teams (STL/PUN) were supposed to be in the same bracket but placed in seperate brackets that the HHSAA only wanted to make money off the matchups and the ILH wanted Kahuku to play 2 ILH teams in order to win a state title. Stupid move boys! your greed got the best of you and the OIA is tired of this BS.
Stay in yo own lane! – Lavar Ball
The state championship should have the best teams in it period! Not because this league has more teams that they should have more spots in the states. If that’s the case it shouldn’t be called the state championship.
Time for those old farts! To retire!!! They’re the same budah heads that won’t change, they need to get out, they’re making the oia look stupid
Whether it was the state championship or the prep bowl of the 90’s. One thing is a clear fact. The last team standing was clearly the BEST TEAM IN THE STATE THAT YEAR aka STATE CHAMP.
oh wait…all those years that Kahuku beat the ILH #1 wasnt legit because the ILH#2 was just as good, even though the ILH#2 couldnt beat the ILH#1 and just because Kahuku beat the ILH#1 doesnt mean that they can beat the ILH#2 so we need to insert 2 ILH teams so that Kahuku proves themselves twice in order to be crowned the state champ! and if they do beat both ILH teams then the ILH#3 is also just as good and soon we will want all 3 of our ILH teams in the state tourney in order to call it a TRUE state title. SMH!
You just said that kahuku has to beat 2 ILH teams and that’s why the ILH wants another team in. ILH had to do the same the past years so what’s the problem.
The ILH doesnt have to play against two OIA teams that steal the ILH talent.
Bad enough that STL is recruiting Kahuku Kids to turnaround and beat Kahuku High School in the tourney, Punahou jumped in on the fun and also recruits Kahuku kids to better their chances at a race for the state title. The playing field is not level, the OIA is not equal to the ILH so maybe if the ILH#1 cant beat the OIA#1 then they need to get better and not coward out and call for backup.
So would rather put 4 OIA teams in front of one ILH team, yeah, that makes sense there. OIA has no problem with Kahuku running over all the OIA teams, but, geez, let it be a private school and you scream unfair. What’s unfair is those OIA schools that have to put up with Kahuku every year, give Kahuku an exemption and let them play the ILH on a weekly basis, heck, even give Waianae, Farrington, and Mililani exemptions to place ILH teams on a weekly basis. Oh wait, that was already proposed, and the OIA said “we sked”. Prove those 4 OIA teams belong in the playoffs.
That’s why it’s called the state championship.Can we stop crying about recruiting. It is what it is and it’s not going stop. California has their state championship with private and public schools. They recruit too and they’re not crying.
And what kahuku kids are you talking about besides the safety.
Follow all my posts and im all for the prep bowl. One and done OIA#1 vs ILH#1. Redundant games where the top 4 OIA teams play each other in divisional and OIA playoffs and then again in the state tourney is ridiculous. Only the OIA#1 should move on and everyone else go home. This is not basketball where we need a 7 game series. OIA#1 vs ILH#1
And maybe you ILH peeps should stop crying when things dont go your way, just because you think you have the formula for success, prestige and wealth doesnt mean we want to be like you. If the california system is what you admire go play cali teams. The OIA is good without you, what dont you get about that? Stop trying to force friends upon you after your attempt to buy the OIA didnt work.
What you should be doing is encouraging the OIA to lift their transfer rules and allow all out recruiting, make it somewhat even and you will not see an ILH school win another state title. At least until they start giving free room and board to entire familys and giving the parents jobs..oh wait they do that already.
I’m all for bringing back the prep bowl but no matter what if ILH wins you still going be crying that it’s unfair. If we go back to the prep bowl the only ones you hurting are the kids. Oh wait it doesn’t matter to you because kahuku always wins the oia so you don’t care. But if the ILH beats kahuku let’s cry unfair because they recruit. Like I said it is what it is about recruiting, put the best teams in the state championship and see who comes out on top and stop CRYING!
CRYING? You guys are the biggest crybabys.
When STL loss to Kahuku in 2015 Cal went on camera and made the excuse…”it would be nice to play them in the regular season so we can get used to their smash mouth style”. Sure enough a few months later the ILH proposes to the OIA to combine leagues and offers 3 Million$$$, OIA says no! so the next option was to secretly create the Open division format and force their ILH#2 in the tourney.
In 2016 after STL beat Kahuku Ron Lee says in an SA article “the competition in the OIA is weaker and we knew it would come back to bite them…we dont have a soft schedule we play Punahou and Kam so we were prepared for them”
So please clarify to me, is it….
A – The OIA has a style of play that the ILH is not used to and therefore causes you guys to lose
B – The OIA is weak and the ILH is stronger and thats why the ILH wins
Im confused because it sounds like excuses to me coming from your top guys. I cant wait to hear what the newly appointed AD June Jones has to say as soon as he experiences turbulent times with the program, or better yet the VP Ralph Macchio.
I don’t care who’s stronger or what cal or Ron said. St. Louis would’ve been the ILH team in the playoff regardless if 1 or 2 teams went in because they won the ILH . You still never answer my question about what kids from kahuku St. Louis recruited. If anything there’s one but his dad was an alumni. Let the best teams play in the state championship regardless if it’s oia, ILH or outer island.
People like to cry when things don’t go their way. All you RR4L fans you should be blaming your coach cause theirs no way you guys should have lost to stlulu. Your coach gave them that game cause they couldn’t see Tua be the only one to not win a championship oh wait someone did seethat and that’s why you have a new head coach. What should be do is the transfer rule should be for everyone ILH and OIA if you transfer from any high school you should sit out two years no matter what high school even from the mainland cause I can tell you this Taulia will be back next year playing for stlulu and theirs nothing anyone can do about it.
The state tournament should be the best 8 teams not 7 OIA vs 1ILH if your not scared then vote to play ILH teams this year and then we can really see who’s the best. You talk about recruiting but theirs no one to blame but the parents and the kid cause the reality of it is the ILH only puts out the offer it’s the parents and kids that desides to go they don’t have to go if your a true lifer.
The reason why kahuku won in 2015 is because they were the better team. That’s the same reason why St. Louis won in 2016. But your excuse would be because St. Louis recruited.
In order to be the best you need to play the best.If the so called top tier teams in the OIA want to get better a Super Conference needs to be made. Punahou, St. louis, Kahuku, Mililani, Waianae, Kapolei Farrington, Kamehameha. If these teams play each
other on a weekly basis the level of football gets better. Problem is less games means less $money$ and thats what all this crap is about. It aint about the kids and getting them better. Its about revenue
Actually STL shouldve won 2015 but got out coached. Kahuku shouldve won 2016 but got out coached.
There has been a siphon of players from Kahuku to STL every year the past 30yrs, currently I can think of the two brothers who each have D1 offers – three others that will be upperclassmen have returned to Kahuku because of the filtering out process that STL has the luxury to do in order to field the best 11.
The fact of the matter is ILH top 3 want to compete to win a State Championship. The OIA have 14 Division 1 teams and would only send 3 teams to the State Tournament, leaving 11 teams out. This is 11 teams of student athletes that do not get to play in a State Tournament and may never get to because of OIA proposed format. Is the OIA looking out for the Student Athlete or just looking out for their Association. In my opinion the OIA Principles and Athletic Directors know Football is their most profitable sport, so why not have more teams play in the “State Tournament” where they can generate more money. Championships are not the end all be all for the OIA. Kahuku has proven to be a dominate force when it comes to winning Championships so the reality is can anyone beat Kahuku year in and year out. St. Louis, Punahou, and Kamehameha want that challenge. I’d take on the challenge if I were an OIA team.
HAHAHA “filtering out process” is that what you wanna call it? Those players who you referring to never had the grades to stick—imagine that! LMFAO and, none would’ve seen the field anyway.
Anyways all I hear is a bunch of EXCUSES! Like I said they got 1 starter and his dad is an alumni. Stop crying that St. Louis got kahuku players. You got the wrong ILH school to blame.
I’d like to dedicate this next song to the ILH from the OIA… “You can’t always get what you want…” So although you can’t have 2 of 3 teams make it to States. It seems like your “getting what you need”. You have your best team. The one team that’s repeatedly beaten ILH#2 and ILH#3. The ILH#1 carries the hopes and dreams of the ILH to stick it to the OIA. Why do you need more that?
The pro ILH argument seems to be that they want the best to play. They shouldn’t worry because ILH #1 and OIA #1 already made it and they respectively are the best in their leagues there is no question there.
AOK two players that returned to Kahuku played in the 2015 title game for STL. What was that about grades and playing time?
We all know its a numbers game for the ILH teams, get 3 or 4 of the best kids from Laie Park every year and at least 1 or 2 of them will be big contributors, the others that dont develop can just throw away and let them go back to their OIA school. Ha! smh!
Kahuku needs be in the league with St. Louis, Punahou and Kamehameha, Kahuku is too strong for all other teams in the OIA, play each other Twice total of 6 games, than the OIA champion, Waianae, Farrington, Mililani, Kapolei, Leilehua, Kailua (one team) plays for the Oahu title, with the two top teams from St. Louis, Punahou, Kamehameha, and Kahuku, going into a State Tournament with the two top teams from the OIA, along with the Maui, and Big Island Champion playing for the State Tournament, let’s see if Kahuku can go 6-0 in that division with St. Louis, Punahou and Kamehameha, no easy games for any of these teams.
OIA fans do nothing but cry and play the victim. Prove me wrong.
@Made In America, I’m an oia fan and I’m not crying. I like their move, WTF is the ilh and HHSAA gonna do when theirs no oia teams in the open lol? Me personally I like the set up last year. Having 2 ilh teams makes for a more competitive tourney.
Waianae, Farrington, Mililani has demonstrated consistency in winning over the last several years if not the decade. Kapolei had one good season last year but has always been an underachiever over the decade even though they were loaded w/the state’s best talent. JJ is gone though Amosa has replaced him. All eyes will be upon them throughout the season especially with their new incoming transfer QB. Kailua had one good surprising season 2 years ago but went 3 & 4 last year to match their subpar performances over the last decade. Leilehua went 3 & 4 also. The point is, only Wain, Farr, Mililani belong in the same breath as Kahuku at this point in time. But having said that, none of the D1 OIA teams have problems playing Kahuku and look forward to the challenge. It is to Kahuku’s credit that they have developed their program to their elite status. The OIA does not need the ILH and will do just fine with an all OIA post season tournament. The ILH can recruit all they want and more power to them but just keep leagues separate. Yes, the some of the OIA Coaches will recruit but their efforts are no where even close to the degree in which the ILH and their extensive recruiting structure does. Only Miano at Kaiser couple of years ago had an organized recruiting system in the OIA with the support of the Principal & parts of their commmunity who later got suspended. Bottom line; OIA does not need the ILH nor needs to play for pride of proclaiming to be the #1 in the state, if the powers to be can’t work a playoff structure out.
Junk and Po already
Anyways. Where did these kahuku players play on special teams. No you killing me! Like I said before and I’ll say it again the only kahuku player they have that started on offense or defense is that safety and his dad is an alumni. Stop trying to blame St. Louis for recruiting kahuku players.
It’s not about ILH needs the oia or oia needs the ILH. As a fan all I want to see is the best teams in the state championship. Right now the top 2 in each leagues are evenly matched and would be great games. In the next couple years it could change to 3 oia to 1 ILH or opposite. But you can’t tell me that the number 2 ILH doesn’t belong in the tournament right now. If you want to talk about fair and unfair besides kahuku, Waianae, farrington, mililani and maybe kapolei all those other D1 teams really don’t have a chance. So without this 3 tier tournament what would they be playing for. Maybe all of them should move to D2 and see how it would be then.
Here’s my Open Championship Bracket.
ILH Open. PUNAHOU,ST.LOUIS ,KAMEHAMEHA………One State Entry.
OIA EAST. OPEN. FARRINGTON,WAIANAE KAHUKU, KAILUA…..One State entry.
OIA WEST.OPEN..KAPOLEI,MILILANI,LEILEIHUA, CAMPBELL….One State entry.
Last Open Entry…..OIA OPEN #3 place.
Outer island No like play big boys, then their slots are gone .4 TEAM STATE OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP. HHSAA SAVE MONEY ON THE BIGGEST CROWDS BECAUSE ALL TEAMS ON OAHU WITH NO AIRFARE,HOTEL ETC. THIS MAKE $$$$.
East, Kahuku, Kailua, Farrington, Leilehua, Kamehameha, Punahou D-1 Top 2 advance
West, Waianae, Mililani, Kapolei, Campbell, Iolani, St Louis D-1 Top 2 advance
East, Castle, Kalaheo, Roosevelt, Kalani, Damien D-2 Top 2 advance
West, Waialua, Aiea, McKinley, Radford, Pac-5 D-2 Top 2 advance
One league in the end whoever advanced all ILH or all OIA so what. Everybody gets their shot. No complaints. In the end the two top teams will play. These scenarios are natural rivalries. Not only for teams but communities as well. In the spirit of sportsmanship and goodwill.
Hyn June 18, 2017 at 2:21 pm
The state championship should have the best teams in it period! Not because this league has more teams that they should have more spots in the states. If that’s the case it shouldn’t be called the state championship.
I agree with you. Who wants to see a tourney with the OIA #9 or #6. I want to see a tourney with the top teams regardless of which league they come from.
@anywaays, how can the ILH or any league steal anyone’s talent? The kid are not held hostage. No school or community owns a kid. The parents CHOOSE where to send their child. If they felt their community school offered a better product then they probably could choose to attend their community school. If anything, you should blame the public school in their district that isn’t very attractive which is a reason parents are looking for better options for their kids.
I HATE IT, when people think a kid belongs to anyone. That school isn’t paying the bills. A kid owes nothing to any public school.
You cannot steal something that you never owned….
Who taught you that a kid belongs to a certain area?
….it was so obviuos last year when the two ILH teams (STL/PUN) were supposed to be in the same bracket but placed in seperate brackets that the HHSAA only wanted to make money off the matchups and the ILH wanted Kahuku to play 2 ILH teams in order to win a state title. Stupid move boys! your greed got the best of you and the OIA is tired of this BS.
@anywaays, where are you coming up with all these conspiracy theories? In every sport other than football (since the ILH never had 2 berths before), the OIA #1 and #2 are in separate brackets. The ILH #1 and #2 are in separate brackets. Hell, even the MIL and BIIF put their league champs and #2’s in separate brackets if they have 2 state berths.
Even though every other sports (softball, baseball, basketball, soccer, volleyball, etc) does this (put their league champ and second place team on opposite brackets), you think a conspiracy exists.
May I ask why you think this when every other tourney places the #1 and #2 from each league in separate brackets?
So I guess you think every sport is out to get the OIA? You don’t need to answer, we all pretty much know the answer already.
might as well have all 3 ILH teams in the State Open Division; St.L, Pun, Kam Sch. Let the recruiting intensify and continue on! More power to the school and good for the recruited athlete.
Townies! you guys killin me!
What 2 ilh teams did Kahuku beat?! Kapolei beat Puns for everybody short term memory.
And Anyways The 3 Boys who returned Kahuku were not pushed out due to football reasons. LOL if that’s what their parents told you. Only 1 of 3 were even there for fb haha
I understand what Watcher is saying about 1 being separated from 2. But just to clarify this is usually done in OIA’s. But when your talking states shouldn’t it be ranked by their end of season ranking? So if there are 4 teams I wonder shouldn’t it be 1 vs 4, and 2 vs 3 in the semis?
That way 1 gets some benefit of being 1. So if Kahuku is #1, St. Louis is #2 (or vice versa cry babies) then if ILH #2 could conviably come in considered #3 and OIA #2 could be considered #4 in the state. This should put both OIA and ILH against each other in the semis. If the ILH #2 is as good as the ILH fans think they are then they would be ranked 3rd best in the state putting them up against #2. Which in many of the years in recent history has been ILH #1
@Whyy, if history serves me correctly, the league champions and their #2’s have been separated in all sports (other than football) for the past 20-30 years if not longer. It has been done in football for the OIA since they had more than 1 team. The other leagues have only sent 1 league representative so it couldn’t be done.
I don’t see anyone complaining for other sports even though the ILH teams have been separated for decades if not longer.
And how can you rank them and split them? There is not ranking system. Scoringlive, SA, and any other media poll doesn’t mean anything. The HHSAA committees uses guidelines that are in their handbooks that I believe you can go to sportshigh.com to download and read it yourself.
no lie u guy ilh top 2 has always been in top3 all polls
MIL and BIIF will play any team they’re matched up against. Hilo played St. Louis last year and Punahou the year before in preseason, and Baldwin plays Kamehameha and tough mainland teams. Realistically, Hilo and Baldwin both belong in Division I and the likes of Lahainaluna and Konawaena in DII…..but….you wont hear them complain if they end up playing St. Louis or Kahuku, that’s just the way it is.
huh? dey chiken out of open div lastyear
TheRim – not sure what your point is if you are trying to compare MIL/BIIF to OIA. The OIA will also play any team they’re matched up against. Kahuku played the #1 team in the Nation in BG and will play the #1 team from Utah this year. Other notables from last year.
Mililani vs Liberty (NV)
Leilehua vs. Punahou
Waianae vs. Kamehameha
Aiea vs. Centennial (Calif)
Radford vs. Iolani
@The Rim, I don’t think the kids have a problem playing anyone. I think it’s the OIA league officials and the bloggers on here with their conspiracy theories.
LOL @ anyways! & fellow OIA fans blaming the ILH for everything that’s KAKA in their lives. Typical of OIA fans! I can’t find a girlfriend because of the ILH! I can’t get a good job because of the ILH! I spilled my precious milk because of the ILH!
@grabum – anyone with half a brain, something obviously you don’t have, wouldn’t have said something as dumb as what you just said. First off, Hilo played St. Louis pre-season so I’m positive they not “chicken” to play in the Open division, but it just makes sense to play Div I if given the choice. Baldwin would be in the same boat as well.
@Anywaaays – I’m not comparing MIL/BIIF to OIA, my point is BIIF and MIL played those teams before there was an Open designation, but be real, the division they should be in is Division I or II to be competitive and there is nothing, absolutely nothing wrong with that.
rather have haf brain den half dingaling