Kahuku High winter sports are winding down, with several teams already pau, some championships in hand and others heading into playoffs. Athletic Director Joe Whitford shared the following overview with Kaleo:

Boys soccer

Kahuku High boys soccer OIA White champs 2008“We were the OIA White champions. That’s a big win,” he said. “We’ve never been an OIA champion in soccer. The finished with a 10–2–1 record, and they’re going into the State playoffs.”

Whitford explained Kahuku usually competes in the OIA Red because of the strength our teams, even though we’re one of the smaller public high schools in that division with approximately 1,150 students. “We’re not known for our soccer program, so we elected to play in the OIA White division in soccer. We can’t compete with the Red, because we don’t have year-round soccer players out here. Competition-wise, it’s a little more appropriate for us.

“Many of our players here are very talented athletically,” he said, “and you may remember that last year the girls took the softball crown in the White Division.”

“Just to let you know, we’ll also be in the White Division for boys volleyball in the Spring. We have nobody coming back from last year’s team, so they’re going to be brand new. What’s good,” he continued, “is that some of our football players will now be able to play volleyball because of the shift in schedule to the spring. In previous years the two sports were both played in the Fall.”

“Playing in the White Division for some of the sports provides a positive experience for some of our students,” he added. “That’s how we view it. We’ll only stay there for one more season, so we don’t dominate it.”

Basketball

The boys team came off their recent loss to Kalaheo in second place, bound for the state playoffs. “Our three losses this season were by a total of less than 10 points,” Whitford said.

“The leaders on the team include Jray Galea'i, Irwin Ah Hoy and Jack Damuni. They’re all juniors, so we’ll have a very good team next year.”

Whitford added that the JV boys are already in the finals. “They have a first-year head coach, Brian Byrne, so it’s been a good experience for the boys. They’ve dominated everybody. Nobody’s come within 30 points of them, except one team. Some of the leaders on their team include Kona Schwenke, Shirone Thompson and Galea'i Malufau.

Whitford pointed out that the girls JV season is over. “They finished 6–6 under head coach Paki Moe.

“Our varsity girls went to the playoff. They were the East’s fifth seed under first-year head coach David Te'o.”    “We had a pretty good season,” Whitford continued. “We weathered the storm of all four teams using the gym, with the help of BYU-Hawai‘i. That’s been a pretty big issue, but overall we’ve managed. The coaches worked it out among themselves, and we had no major issues. Everybody had an understanding, and that’s what it takes.”

“We could have done a little better, but given the amount of time we have to practice, I think everything worked out pretty well.”

Girls soccer

Whitford reported the girls finished their season, but lost in the first round of the playoffs. “The JV girls won the East Division, but we lost in the playoffs for the OIA championship. We have a very young team in soccer — for example, the varsity started three freshmen; but overall it was a very good year for coach Glenn Fujita.”    “Girls soccer is in good hands the next couple of years.”

Wrestling

“Wrestling recently went into team championships,” Whitford said. “We placed first in the East Division for girls varsity, and JV boys and girls. We ended up in second for the boys varsity.”

He noted that coach Reggie Torres expects the girls to win a state title again. “They came a close second last year.” Whitford also said that the larger, improved wrestling practice facilities in the former tech area has also helped the team.

Paddling

“They’re doing well this year and getting better,” he continued, noting that Mika Amantiad is the head coach.

Mahalo & Miscellaneous

“I want to make it known to the community that we’re grateful to BYU-Hawaii for providing facilities for us. For example, when we have wrestling in the gym, our basketball teams cannot play there.”

“We have to pay, of course, but they have helped us with lower fees, and we’re fortunate we have access to their courts.”

Whitford also said Kahuku has hired Andrew Ching as the new boys golf coach. “Andrew is a 2001 Kahuku graduate whose dad, Carl-ton Ching, previously ran the program. He’s excited to help the boys out.”

He added that his daughter, Makana Whitford, is taking over the water polo program from Aukai Ferguson. “She’s finishing up at BYU-Hawai‘i and is doing her student teaching at Kahuku.”