Kahuku High athletic director Joe Whitford shared the following sports reports with Kaleo in October (note, much of the information has changed since the newspaper’s deadline):

Football

“So far we’re undefeated in the season. We recently beat Farrington, 27–7, and there’s a steady improvement from the team,” he said, pointing out there were away games remaining with Castle and Moanalua. Whitford added he thought we “have a lock on the OIA playoffs, because we’re undefeated. We just need to finish in the top-five of seven teams. If we win out, we’ll have a bye on Oct. 19th, and our last game will be on Oct. 26th, at home.”

Whitford said the JV team was also undefeated following the victory over Farrington. “Both teams came into the game at 3–0, and we won 22–16. So, homecoming was great. It was well attended, and we look forward to finishing out the season strong.”

Asked to name some of the stand-out players, Whitford identified Shiloah Te‘o, Paipai Falemalu and Alema Tachibana on defense. “On offense Jray Galea‘i has been getting a good hold at quarterback; and our running backs have been very consistent: Junior Mata‘afa, St. John Lessary and Kaliki Unga. They’ve been very steady.”

“Our O-line has also been a lot more consistent this year. Last year it was kind of game-by-game; however, some of them have injuries now,” he said, mentioning Pat Au and Daniel Kinikini, “so we’ll see what happens. Hopefully, they’ll be back by the playoffs. Everybody else on the team is pretty healthy. Of course, they get bruises and bumps as the season goes along.”

In reference to a recent boycott by some players over team rules that has been reported in other media, Whitford said, “We’re still in the process of taking care of it. We met with the players and the coaches, and we have some possible solutions. It’s still a work in progress.”

“We’re going to see what’s best for the football team. That’s the end we need to work toward,” he continued, explaining that most rules have been borrowed from other schools. “I will add that our grade-check policy is the strictest in the system, but that’s our choice. I’m happy to report that the majority of our students have responded well. For example, of 48 girls on volleyball teams, only one is on grade check, and both football teams are way down compared to previous years.”

“Some people think some of the team rules are too strict, but I think it’s just like in a home: Some parents are stricter than others; but things can be worked out. There needs to be trust on both sides.”

“The students are taking responsibility, and the parents are being more proactive in following up on their kids’ progress. It’s been a positive thing, and the bottom line is the kids are better students.”

“We want them to have fun when they play football, and we hear the concerns of the community. We will make some adjustments, because we feel this is an important issue we need to address.”

Girls volleyball

“We’re currently ranked first in the OIA and fourth in the state,” Whitford said, noting the girls were 9–0 following the win over Kalani.

Asked to name some of the better players, he replied. “Everybody is contributing, and fortunately it’s a very young team. We only have four seniors, but Leilani Tafuna and Nile Te‘o have been a big help. Tajana Santiago at setter and Nina Blake at libero are also doing very well, as are middle blockers Alayna Galea‘i and Tialei Wesley.”

“It’s good, considering we have a brand new coach — Uila Vendiola — and a new coaching system. The girls have responded really well.”

Whitford reported the new girls blue team “is also doing really well. They are currently in second place.” He added that while the JV team is not having a winning season, “for many of them it’s an opportunity to play they wouldn’t have had in years past. At 48 we probably have the largest number of girls in volleyball. Last year there were only 20 or 30 who were able to participate.”

Air riflery

“They’re doing well. The boys recently upset Moanalua, who were previously undefeated,” Whitford said. “That was a big win. We’re not known as an air riflery school, but we’re happy that the turnout is good. It’s another sport our kids are able to compete in.”

Cross country

Whitford said the “girls are doing really well” under coach Craig Knohl. He noted that Ke‘i Wasson was the “highest OIA placers” in a recent invitational meet at Central O‘ahu Regional Park. “Our girls placed fourth, with two mainland schools coming in first and second. Danica Äuna, a state champion wrestler, is also doing very well. Another wrestler who’s running is Cianah Hee.”

Bowling

“The participation this year is great,” Whitford continued, pointing out that no Kahuku student participates in youth bowling leagues as do students at other schools which have nearby bowling lanes. Kahuku uses the lanes at BYU-Hawai‘i to practice.

“Coach Joe Holtzman is doing a good job, and the turnout has been fantastic. We have 12 girls and 12 boys. That’s another 24 athletes who might otherwise not have been participating.”

JV softball

“We’re doing very well: We’re currently in third place behind Kailua and Castle,” he said. “We’re using the BYU-Hawai‘i field; normally we use Hau‘ula District Park.”