Kahuku football head coach Vavae Tata is no longer the head coach of the Kahuku football team, according to multiple sources close to the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity late Thursday night.
The sources said Tata was released by the Kahuku administration after his two-year stint with the Red Raiders that yielded a Division I state championship and an appearance in the first Open Division state final.
Former NFL, University of Arizona and Kamehameha football player Makoa Freitas has been brought in as the Kahuku interim head coach. Freitas was an offensive line coach for the Red Raiders under Tata.
Hawaii Prep World has heard unverified reports often that Tata has rarely been on campus since a 30-14 loss to Saint Louis in the Open title game. Apparently, according to multiple sources, Tata did not go into the locker room at halftime of that game for adjustments, did not speak with the team after the game and has been on many trips to the mainland and not concentrating on his duties as the head coach.
Calls to Tata and the Kahuku administration for comment have not been returned.
You can read the Star-Advertiser.com breaking news report from Thursday morning here: http://bit.ly/2kBaIia.
Not surprised.
@Alpha
Sorry I don’t follow. Can you help me out with some context why you aren’t surprised? I’m genuinely confused by the move. It kinda reminds me of the surprising moves to fire Torres, quickly hire Leslie, then have Leslie leave after 1 yr.
From what I’ve been hearing, it’s another case of certain members of the community sticking their nose in where it shouldn’t be. Let the players play, let the coaches coach, and community, just cheer on the boys.
Thank you Coach Tata for a great 2 year run; sorry for everyone things happened the way it did, again.
Not sure why anyone would want to coach at my alma mater, but as the saying goes, Next man up.
RRFL!
@rrforlifebaby
What a shame if that’s true. Maybe they should look at STL between Cal Lee’s 2 stints. Constant turnover @ HC, not very good considering their talent. Their only championship w/o Lee as HC was with Mariota and we all know how good he eventually became. Stability is generally a good thing for a team’s success
Thank you Tata,but his squirrely actions at the championship game and afterwards speaKS got itself. Hopefully Makoa stays as the head coach . He is very good at what he does . Good luck! RRFL
Unfortunately, many parents have been complaining to the administrators. It’s similar to other parents going after Coach Akina. Parents are complaining about favoritism and the same ol garbage. It’s too bad that the ones complaining are the same ones who aren’t coaching, aren’t helping with team meals, and do not help with any kind of fundraising. I know of 7 parents who complained. I was talking to one of them and I thought what they had to say was a little foolish. But, when you have a community who has shown that complaining and ruffling feathers can get a coached removed or in this case not re-signed, these are the kinds of things that could happen.
The precedence was set back 10 year ago when parents went after Coach Torres. Then they went after Coach Akina. Now some went after Coach Tata and poof….he’s gone. Definitely not good for the kids.
Don’t EVER compare Coach Tata to Akina. For one Coach Tata is a State Champion who actually knew how to put his players in positions to be successful. Akina ran his program around his kid. The players complained about this. The actual kids who play on the team complained! Not one or two or even three but almost the entire team. Coach Tata being relieved of his coaching duties has nothing to do with the community. If you know our current Principal than you know she don’t give a rats @$$ about what the community thinks when it comes to decisions at Kahuku High School. Coach probably got a job offer and he took it.
Alan Akina is an excellent coach who did a great job with the Kahuku team. The story of Alan Akina is about who are too involved in high school athletics and created a toxic environment and the administration who caved in and gave dumb demands like “spread out the playing time evenly among all players.” The story of Coach Tata is the same. Kahuku has great community support, but Kahuku can be a very hard place to coach because of all the politics involved.
I’m sure Coach Makoa will do fine.
But, if people had just let Tata do what he needed to do, he would’ve taken the program to heights not seen since the old Crusaders and Red Raiders of the 90’s and early 2000’s.
I’m not saying giving him complete free reign, but just let him coach.
Too much politics. Our principal make not give a rats A$$ of what most of the community is saying, but there is no way you can say she wasn’t influenced by certain people.
If this is really going down, then it is what it is.
Coach_B February 10, 2017 at 11:22 am
@Alpha
Sorry I don’t follow. Can you help me out with some context why you aren’t surprised? I’m genuinely confused by the move. It kinda reminds me of the surprising moves to fire Torres, quickly hire Leslie, then have Leslie leave after 1 yr.
Tata wasn’t looking for a permanent job here in Hawaii. He’s been doing alot of traveling to mainland since the championship game, he was supposed to be the east (jps paradise classic) head coach but was busy with his travels. Believe me or not but the man is always on the move, for some it would be a no brainer to stay with the program and the success they been having. Do I have to repost what brought Coach down from the ncaa ranks again? Great 2yr run but that was probably IMO the length he planned on staying in hawaii and the high school level.
Like I said after the championship game last year. All the fishiness started when the play calling went suspect. When the defensive schemes went suspect. Then Lee said he might not return for another year. Only made sense that Tata threw the game and was waiting to jump on to St Louis.
Now we hear that the sources are incorrect and Tata has denied it. But if they do him like they did Reggie, Tata probably just doesn’t know yet lol
thank you tata for your hard work and dedication to our kids and community. is this the hardest job in the world or what. darren johnson or byron beatty are probably the only coaches that could last at kahuku because they are well respected by the older and younger generation alumni.
So what’s going on? Hawaii News Now is reporting that they spoke with Coach Tata.
88 you sound very bitter towards Akina? Why? Every coach in Hawaii who commented on the Coach Akina situation last year went on record to say that they would have run the team the same way or very similar to how Coach Akina ran his. The list was long (Matsuda from Punahou; Shimamoto from Iolani; Tacon from Kamehameha; Kawazoe from Kaiser; Mello from Moanalua; Hathaway from Roosevelt). There were far more coaches who said Akina was doing it the right way. Anyone who knew talent knew his sons were very talented. It’s unfortunate that some parents have their own agendas. But then again most of the supporters of Kahuku who write on here know far more than the coaches listed above who went on record with scoringlive, Star Advertiser, or the news. I’m astonished that many of the Kahuku bloggers are not in the Basketball Hall of Fame for coaching.
http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/34479080/tata-denies-dismissal-as-kahuku-head-football-coach
Tata said he is still the coach.
@RRinsider: Please don’t compare Tata and Akina. The problem wasn’t fair amounts of playing time. His problem is plain and simple Nepotism. Sometimes the kid does well and it works, the kid gets better and sometimes it doesn’t. Didn’t work in this case.
It’s clear some people on here do not understand basketball and think they know more than most of the Oahu Varsity Boys Basketball Coaches on the island.
@Watcher…. So your evidence of Akina not having a problem with Nepotism is that no coaches were willing to openly say it? Go do some homework. There is a pattern with the father and son Akina Coaches.
And where is your evidence? Because you said so? Haha. Typical writer. Offers no evidence and thinks she’s right.
There’s also a pattern of people who come on here, talk bad about people, and offer no evidence behind a fake name (Ohcomeonalready).
I mean if you are going to accuse the guy of Nepotism, at least don’t hide behind a fake name. Or I am guessing it’s a lack of integrity or courage.
I know, “let’s accuse good men who give up their free time to help kids, hide behind a fake name since I am scared or lack integrity, then offer no evidence.”
SMH
Watcher. Okay I will be more specific for you. Go take a look at his and his fathers high school coaching careers, check the rosters. You will find familiar names. To further illustrate my point, see what happens after that familiar name leaves the roster?
You can stop now or I can keep going.
Hiram’s son is talented. Alan’s sons are very talented. DJ coached his son. Darnell at Punahou is coaching his son who started until he tore his ACL. Kelly coaches his son at Maryknoll. His boy gets tons of playing time and some don’t feel its warranted.
So your evidence is a coach who is coaching their kids or family members since they are on the rosters. It’s pretty common ma’am.
Look at Kona, the coach’s daughter and half of her nieces play for her.
And what is your point again? So weak. I am still waiting on a sign of nepotism. Because his sons were some of the top players and only an idiot wouldn’t play them or use them. Especially when the other kids are athletic but not as skilled playing bball. Have you seen them play? Dribbling with the inside hand vs defense. Pivoting into the defense.
I will still waiting for some solid evidence. It’s lacking. If I had to make an educated guess, you are the lady who went on the news to complain.
AUWE
There was no nepotism. Alan played the best kids available on his team. The only people who thought it was nepotism were angry parents who can’t keep their noses out of the team and the school who are trying to live their sports lives through their kids. Alan is a great coach who was put through the ringer for no good reason. Like I said, Kahuku is a great community with great community support, but it’s also a really hard place to coach and work too because of that.
Watcher… Your comparisons are way off.
I had two points: 1. Parent or Grandparent is the Coach. 2. They only Coach when they have a kid, brother playing. They start and stop when the kids done.
Those other coaches spend years at a school and during some of those years their children are players. Try to find someone that only coaches when they have a kid or brother and they have an interest in using their influence as a coach to make certain their kid is getting the “right” amount of reps? Give me one example of that (must meet the criteria above). Otherwise your only going to make me paint a less and less flattering picture.
DJ coached at Kahuku for bball from 2011-2014, 3 of those years Kawe played for him. After Kawe graduated DJ left. Scott Rigg coached his daughters for a few years at Punahou. When they graduated, he left. His daughter started. Alika coached his son at Kalaheo. When his son moved to STL, he also stopped coaching. People said it was the PCA agreement, but was it really? Shepard is coaching MPI now and his kid stats. He will most likely leave now that his son is graduating. Like I said earlier, Darnell just joined the Punahou staff when his boy made the team.
It’s pretty common and this is just off the top of my head thinking for 2-3 minutes. There are tons more. But then again, none of these schools are Kahuku.
Go and do your homework ma’am.
Akina coached for 2 years. It’s not like he stopped. Parents such as yourself got jealous since their child wasn’t as good. Instead of teaching your son to have grit, you go after a fine man and he was temporarily put on leave. After winning a court case and could have been the head coach again, this fine man (Akina) didn’t want to disrupt chemistry and rhythm and never rejoined the team. So it’s not like he quit when his kids were no longer there.
I am still waiting for evidence that nepotism existed. Like I said, numerous coaches went on record to say he was using the kids the right way. Regardless if you think they meant it or not, it’s on record as fact. That is how our system works.
I am still waiting on any concrete evidence. All you come up with is innuendos.
Regardless of whose coaching, the Big Red Machine will keep on rolling. It’s a matter if the coach can bring the team together and motivate the boys. Unfortunately the job comes with a huge microscope from the community..I wouldn’t be surprised if coach Tata is on a college staff next season since he did come from those ranks before Kahuku.
True Chloropicrin
Had to check the headlines again…thought it said ‘Akina out, Freitas in at Kahuku’…..Lol!
The Watcher…you assume that because other coaches would do what “that coach” did, “that Coach” must be right. Akana took over with barely any practice time and got that exact same team with the exact same players, with all of that turmoil, lawsuits, finger pointing, crying…and they were 1 put back in an overtime loss from beating Iolani in the state championship. They took 3rd in the state, but they did it playing basketball the old school way of pounding the all inside. NOBODY thought Kahuku would even reach the state tournament. “That coach” never played old school basketball before, not even when they had 3 players over 6’5″ a few years ago. They took a ton of 3s and got out rebounded by an undersized Farrington team in the OIA championship game…in fact they were out rebounded in a lot of games because of that style of play, even though they were the biggest team in the state with 2 high flying dunkers. So jus cuz some other coaches would run their offense thru “that coach’s” son, doesnt make it right or the correct thing to do. Over this topic and coach bashing. Jus wasnt the right mix. I just looked it up and his boys are doing just fine up in Utah. Leave it alone already
From what I heard, this one was about his loyalty…. TO THE BROTHERHOOD!!!
Looks like its official. Thank you Coach Tata. Good luck Makoa. Since he works in the community, I’m sure Makoa will fit in much easier.
I think as far as this matter is concerned, the school administration acted in a disgusting way.
But that’s how it goes up North.
RRFL
So now WHOCARES is a coaching expert since he knows more than all of the other coaches. And while Akana did well and is doing well, this is the guy you want leading young men? BTW, why isn’t he coaching at UH anymore?
Oh yeah I forgot, winning is more important than integrity. It’s no coincidence that athletics is high out there and academics isn’t. So sad.
No one is a coaching expert you dumb@$$. We are just stating the obvious. The KIDS stood up for their team and a change was made.
88 February 12, 2017 at 2:38 pm
No one is a coaching expert you dumb@$$. We are just stating the obvious. The KIDS stood up for their team and a change was made.
Please get the facts straight sir (and why the anger? I notice you try to be the tough guy on this site). The coach was put on temporary leave. The coach won the court case and got his job back. Since he was a man of integrity he felt the change would have be detrimental to the team and he decided not to go back. That’s class.
Now his son is playing for the top team in Utah where the level of basketball is higher than Hawaii. Keanu’s team is #1 in the state and #74 nationally.
http://www.maxpreps.com/athlete/keanu-akina/YQqtCL2CEeaAdqA2nzwY6g/default.htm
He is averaging 12.5 ppg. I am not saying he is the best. But this shows he is pretty darn good. Yet you and all your friends who insult a guy behind a fake name say he cannot play. Do you guys ever put any evidence? Stats? Data? Anything.
The Watcher…are u him?? Cuz u sound like u going to bat really hard for the guy!!! I’m no coaching expert. Coaches in Hawaii are Mickey Mouse anyways.
Here’s the obvious because they are facts. Fact, they couldn’t win states with 3 guys over 6’5″ and got out rebounded in a ton of games with him as a coach that year. Fact, his entire team boycotted him except for a few JV kids n his sons. Fact, he leaves and his team does well WITHOUT HIM!!! U can call people names like expert or try to change the subject, but the facts are facts. He leaves, his 2 bigs get 20+ rebounds each in the states game vs Punahou. That doesn’t happen when u bomb 3s cuz of long rebounds. Most of all its completely unheard of in Hawaii, in the entire US for that matter, for 2 guys on 1 team to get more than 20 rebounds in a single game. But they did it under the new coach who had never coached them before but saw their talent and strengths n chose to highlight those strengths.
Everybody knows his sons are good basketball players…but dammit his sons teammates were good too. U state things like dribbling the ball with the inside hand blah blah blah.
So here it is…he was a good coach, his sons are good players, his sons teammates were good players as well!!!
If all the other coaches in the state were so good, they’d be winning state championships. There’s only 1 really good high school coach in Hawaii that’s consistent and thats the guy from Iolani. Punahou is right up there too n he supported running plays for the son. But all the rest of the coaches don’t win so WHO CARES…over this topic. But if u keep comin wit weak a$$ comments, I’m responding. And dont talk about hiding behind a fake name unless u ready to put ur name out there first.
FACT: They are all better coaches than you WHOCARES.
FACT: The coaches do not hide on computers behind fake names and insult people.
FACT: Your child sat on the bench so you are unhappy.
FACT: Their big boys were athletic but lacked basketball skill and IQ.
His team did well without him? They were barely .500 under Akana. They barely made it into states. However, they got hot in states. Please check your facts. I didn’t know barely winning half your games was doing well.
But then again you think you are a good coach, yet hide behind a fake name. SMH.
WHO CARES = SCARED LITTLE BOY. AND Who cares, I am not the one talking bad about coaches. I am not the one who is jealous that his son didn’t get playing time. Maybe you should have invested in a club or clinic. But then again, by the looks of it, I will guess that money is tight and that wasn’t an option for your family. I get it. I understand the anger. You were not able to provide for your family like most men do. So now you are hurt, bitter, and angry. You lash out at others since you don’t have the integrity to look in the mirror and understand that it’s solely your fault for the mistakes that were made.
We understand buddy!
Not really sure how this thread all of a sudden is about basketball and Alan Akina bashing.
But here’s the way I look at it:
1) No matter how you slice it, Alan was booted out because of a bunch of whiny players and their parents.
2) When you look at they players he had, there were really only 2 ball handlers, his sons.
3) Just because he had 3 players over 6′ 5″ doesn’t mean they should’ve won states; think about “Hoosiers”.
4) I believe every coach who was asked and put on record backed him up 100%; I think for some people to say that is what coaches are supposed to do, then you’re questioning the integrity of those other coaches. As we saw earlier this year after Big Red beat Anuenue, coaches will speak their mind if they don’t agree with another coach.
5) Going back to (2) and (3) above, it’s pretty obvious how important having a really skilled ball hander and Talented big’s are to a team(look at the last game against Kailua). Without Villa and/or Fotu, I’m sorry to say Big Red wouldn’t have done so well in the Iolani tournament and more than likely wouldn’t be the #1 team in the state. Don’t get me wrong, Big Red still has the athletes to be competitive, but again, with out Villa and/or Fotu, not as good as they are now.
I love our kids, but I’m not one to blow smoke.
RRFL!
@ rrforlifebaby, thank you sir for being objective and inserting some real and fair knowledge of basketball. I think if more communities had people like you representing them, the kids, coaches, and communities would benefit. Mahalo!
@ rrforlifebaby, that’s a super good point about having a ball handler. I like Villla more than Akina. He’s stronger, more athletic, and has more swag to his game. I also agree that coaches will speak their mind like the Anuenue threat. Super good point.
It’s unfortunate that some people feel the urge to bash someone who isn’t here to defend himself. They hide behind a fake name bashing him.
rrforlifebaby…I see where this is going. Nowhere. So Imma say it again. He’s a good coach. His sons are good players. Kahuku players were/are good too. Not bashing him at all, jus saying how well the kids did without him. That’s not saying he sucks, it’s just that the Kahuku kids are good too. It’s never about how good 1 player is. And I’m sorry, but the OIA is so weak that even if Villa and Fotu didn’t play they would still make it to states this year.
Their defense is relentless and that’s more than enough to win in Hawaii. Iolani always findsa way to win with minimal talent. That’s why I said their coaching is the best. Das all. No bashing. His kids are good players and it’s not a surprise that the oldest is doing well up in Utah. Just people saying that the other kids are whiny….not true at all. If u really “rrforlifebaby” then u would know the kids are not whiny at all.
@ WhoCares, please address my comment. After Akana took over, the Kahuku team waws barely over .500. I think they were something like 8-7 or 9-8. They barely made states. And when they got into states they got hot and did pretty good.
I am evaluating them over 17-20 games. Yes they made a mini run into states, but what about all the games before that? Does that not count?
So do you think St. Louis did really well too since they upset Maryknoll last week even though their regular season wasn’t too good?
I agree the kids are not whiny. But I believe that many of the parents are. And when the parents tell their kids to do something they listen. My intel told me that most of the kids didn’t want to sit out or do that protest. But, the two large football seniors led it and the rest fell in line.
I have no evidence other than a few of my friends who live out there. You can believe me or not. It is what it is.
Akina had 4 kids on his starting 5 who were Basketball players. Meaning their main sport was basketball. They were not football players who came over to basketball after football was done. They were Basketball players. A 6’9 center, a 6’7 power foward, a 6’5 small foward and a 5’7 gaurd who was the 1st option on his offense. They loss in the semifinals of the State Tourney with a 16-9 record. What happen?
Akana had a returning 5’7 gaurd and 2 6’4 football players who were the first options on offense. They loss in the semifinal of the state tourney with a 15-12 record. Now which coach do you think did more with the players he had? I dunno, hhhmmmmmmmmm…..
Lets fast foward to the present where Akana has 3 Basketball players. You know who’s main sport is basketball. A 6’7 foward, a 6’5 small foward(the same kid Akina had but didn’t use properly. The same kid that went to Utah, the state you said had higher basketball play and led a team to the 5A state title)and a 5’10 gaurd. Well they are OIA champs, first time since 2012 and are currently 23-3. Hmmmmmm
Akina had 0 NCAA D1 recruits. Akana has 1 (already committed) and possibly two more (Fotu & Villa).
Akina never had the potential and most likely State POY (Villa). Akana has 3 guys who played outside of Kahuku (Villa, Fotu, Avea).
And if Kahuku has so many guys on last year’s team who were basketball players, how come when Kahuku woudl come in Akina’s rented van, it was usually Akina’s sons and a couple of JV guys. They might have had 6 or 7 total.
May I ask who are all these “primary” basketball players on last year’s team other than the Akina brothers?
And to recap, you are comparing last year’s team with 0 NCAA D1 prospects to this year’s team who possibly has 3?
That is your comparison?
Obviously you can’t read or understand what I posted so let me dumb it down for you.
In 2015 Akina had a 6’9 center, a 6’7 power forward, a 6’5 small forward( The same kid who transferred to Utah, a State you said had a higher play of Basketball than Hawaii and won the 5A Utah State Championship), a 6’2 guard and a 5’7 guard(his son) . ALL 5 were BASKETBALL PLAYERS. The result: Loss in the State semifinal and a 16-9 record.
In 2016 Akana had a 5’7 guard(the former coaches son) and 2 6’4 FOOTBALL PLAYERS(Both already had FULL RIDE FOOTBALL SCHOLARSHIPS). The result: Loss in the State semifinal and a 15-12 record. Now I ask you. Who did more with the players they had? Hmmmmmmmmmm, you tell me.
Now in 2017, Akana has a 6’7 power forward, a 6’5 small forward( The same kid Akina had who transfers back now that Akana is the coach) and a 5’11 guard. All three BASKETBALL PLAYERS. The result: An OIA Championship and a 23-3 record. The difference is the COACH. The ball is shared and plays designed for EVERYONE. EVERYONE plays lights out for this guy because they know at the end of the day he has the ENTIRE TEAMs best interest in mind.
Buddy there’s a HUGE difference between Avea the Sophomore and Avea the senior.
Another difference you fail to recognize is the competition. Last time I checked, Coach Alika Smith is no longer there. In Alika’s (yes I am biased since we are buddies) short tenure at Kalaheo, I believe he won 1 D2 title and 2 D1 titles.
It’s a much easier route with Alika no longer there. Also, if you look at the landscape 2 years ago, many OIA teams are much worse now.
There are SO MANY factors that lead to winning and success. To be so short sighted and narrow minded to say it’s “solely” the coach would be both irresponsible and naive.
Then again, with Brandyn being my buddy, I do believe he is a very solid coach. When I talk to him later this week i’ll mention to him how great you think he is. He will probably get a good laugh out of it since we often discuss the good things Alan did for Kahuku.
But then again, Brandyn isn’t insecure nor has something personal against Alan.
Let’s be real 88, why don’t you coach football and basketball? You know so much. I think you are so great that all of the kids can learn from you. Let me guess, you are so great at coaching that you want to give the other schools a chance?
Well that is very thoughtful of you buddy! Especially on Valentine’s Day! Say hello to your Mary for me!
I am at a loss for words. I just don’t understand why people want to attack a fine man behind fake names.
Still arguing with yourself I see…
Its his height. Small man syndrome.
It’s very upsetting that some people have to hide behind a screen name and attack a fine man. Then to compound it, that person has to accuse others, even resorting to name calling. Well if that small man syndrome is intended for me so be it. At least I don’t have to hide behind a name and have to insult a fine many who spends his time helping kids. Regardless if he a good or bad coach, that is just opinion.
The facts is that he gave up his time for a very meager salary while certain people choose not to and insult his ability to coach.
I feel very sad for your parents. It must hurt them to know that you guys (or probably the same person) have to attack good people pretty much doing community service while you nitpick behind a computer. May I ask what schools you coach at so we can see what kind of job you are currently doing?