Waimea hoping to end losing streak to Kapaa

Waimea battles Kapaa, the three-time defending KIF champion, on Friday night at Vidinha Stadium in Lihue.

The present-day Menehune have not beaten Kapaa since 2012, a 14-7 score at Hanapepe Stadium. Kapaa has won 14 in a row over Waimea since, as well as the last three KIF titles. Waimea, a community that has shrunk since the demise of the sugar industry, has not won a league championship since ’03.

Waimea came very close in two of the there matchups last season, losing 3-0 and 15-12 to Kapaa.

At one time, Waimea football was a true David in a world of Goliaths. Even though Waimea has 36 Kauai Interscholastic Federation football titles to its credit, Garden Island football — and its modest three-team field — has often been more of a distant secret to the rest of the state. The Menehune, however, have not been without their share of success on the big stage.

The Menehune, under then-head coach Jon Kobayashi and staff, were a dominant force in the KIF despite being the smallest high school. In 1999, the first year of the state tournament — which ended the annual Neighbor Island Football Classic — Waimea toppled Kailua 20-18 at Vidinha Stadium. Waimea then took a 56-0 loss from Saint Louis, which went on to blank Kahuku 19-0 in the final.

The ’00 squad played Kahuku and lost 43-14. Elite talent like Jordan Dizon (Colorado) lifted the program and the Menehune gave Kahuku some fits during the ’01 state tournament — back when all teams played in one division — for awhile before losing 21-7. Kobayashi utilized crafty moves, including an 80-yard quick kick (punt) to keep the game close. That semifinal was played a week after Waimea ousted Castle 41-20 in the opening round.

in ’02, Waimea met Kailua in the opening round at Vidinha and won, 24-21. A week later, the Menehune lost to Saint Louis 56-0. Saint Louis again took the state title, beating Castle 34-15.

In ’03, the tourney expanded to two divisions. Under new head coach Liko Perreira, Waimea had a first-round bye in the D-II bracket before losing to Damien, 17-13. A year later, Kauai moved down to D-II and began a string of seven consecutive KIF crowns and state-tournament appearances.

After retiring from coaching, Kobayashi become the athletic director at Waimea.

2016
@ Kapaa 32, Waimea 0
Kapaa 3, Waimea 0, Vidinha Stadium
Kapaa 15, Waimea 12, Vidinha Stadium

2015
Kapaa 68, Waimea 0, Vidinha Stadium
Kapaa 28, Waimea 0, Hanapepe Stadium
@ Kapaa 36, Waimea 0

2014
Kapaa 36, Waimea 0, Hanapepe Stadium
Kapaa 21, Waimea 0, Vidinha Stadium
Kapaa 17, Waimea 0, Hanapepe Stadium

2013
Kapaa 23, Waimea 0, Vidinha Stadium
Kapaa 28, Waimea 0, Hanapepe Stadium
Kapaa 41, Waimea 7, Vidinha Stadium

2012
Waimea 14, Kapaa 7, Hanapepe Stadium (9/14)
Kapaa 14, Waimea 3, Vidinha Stadium
Kapaa 21, Waimea 10, Hanapepe Stadium

2011
Kapaa 22, Waimea 13, Vidinha Stadium
Waimea 21, Kapaa 14, Hanapepe Stadium
@ Kapaa 22, Waimea 20
Kapaa 17, Waimea 14, Vidinha Stadium

2010
Kapaa 7, Waimea 0, Hanapepe Stadium
@ Kapaa 34, Waimea 18
Waimea 24, Kapaa 21, Hanapepe Stadium

2009
At Kapaa 7, Waimea 6
Kapaa 26, Waimea 6, Hanapepe Stadium
Waimea 23, @ Kapaa 20

2008
Waimea 49, Kapaa 7, Hanapepe Stadium
Waimea 14, @ Kapaa 13
Tie, Kapaa 10, Waimea 10, Hanapepe Stadium

2007
Waimea 21, Kapaa 7, Vidinha Stadium
Waimea 21, Kapaa 14, Hanapepe Stadium
Kapaa 27, Kapaa 7, Vidinha Stadium

2006
Waimea 35, Kapaa 21, Hanapepe Stadium
Waimea 27, Kapaa 7, Vidinha Stadium
Waimea 19, Kapaa 14, Hanapepe Stadium

2005
Waimea 3, Kapaa 0, Vidinha Stadium
Waimea 14, Kapaa 6, Hanapepe Stadium
Waimea 41, Kapaa 0, Vidinha Stadium

2004
Waimea 29, Kapaa 6, Vidinha Stadium
Tie, Kapaa 7, Waimea 7, Hanapepe Stadium
Kapaa 14, Waimea 0, Vidinha Stadium

The latest Kauai Interscholastic Federation, Maui Interscholastic League and Big Island Interscholastic Federation standings follow. Updated: Oct. 14, 2017