Kapolei kicks off inaugural season

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the first time since 1975, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association will introduce a new varsity football team.

"We're excited about our first varsity game," Kapolei coach Darren Hernandez said. "We're excited that it's Wai'anae. They're a good measuring stick. We may as well go up against one of the best and use it as a gauge as to where we are. If we get trampled, then we know we have a long way to go."

Since the modern OIA started in 1970 — after the Honolulu public schools seceded from the Interscholastic League of Honolulu —five schools joined the league before Kapolei.

Kaiser started in 1972, Moanalua and Pearl City in 1973, Kalaheo in 1974 and Mililani in 1975. Only Moanalua and Pearl City won their debuts.

The Hurricanes started three years ago with a JV program composed of freshmen and finished 3-4-1. Last year, with freshmen and sophomores, the Hurricanes (11-1) lost to Kahuku for the OIA JV championship.

Hernandez, who has been with the Kapolei program since its infancy, said other coaches have been telling him the Hurricanes should do well. But Hernandez warned that success at JV doesn't translate to winning at the varsity level.

"I tell them how would your team be if you took out the seniors," he said.

There are 35 juniors and 15 sophomores on the Kapolei varsity. There are about 1,500 students among the three grade levels at the school, Hernandez said.

Hernandez said five sophomores are pegged as starters, two on the offensive line. Right guard Darin Awong (6-3, 350) and right tackle Ikaika Aken (6-4, 315) give the Hurricanes a massive right side.

The team's strength might be its junior linebacker corps in Drake Kula (6-2, 210), Imiloa Sakai (6-3, 220) and Bryan Padayao (6-0, 250).

At one defensive end is 6-5, 230-pound junior Warren Simanu. Simanu was a quarterback as freshman, but did not play last year to concentrate on basketball.

The quarterback is junior Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada (6-0, 175).

The Hurricanes will use a single running back, no tight end formation. Although some coaches have anticipated the Hurricanes to run a spread offense, Hernandez said it won't be used exclusively.

Adding to the interest of tomorrow's game is that two Kapolei players played for Wai'anae's JV last year. They transferred when their families move to nearby Hawaiian homestead land in Kapolei. Awong and left guard Tyler Fabrao (6-0, 320) will get to face their former teammates.

"I expect some growing pains," Hernandez said. "Thank goodness we're not in the Red (division). But the White will still be rough for us."

The realigned OIA is divided into three divisions: East, West and White. As the newest member, the Hurricanes were placed in the White with Kaimuki, Kaiser, Kalani, Moanalua, Nanakuli, Pearl City and Waialua.

Wai'anae is in the West with 'Aiea, Campbell, Leilehua, Mililani, Radford and Waipahu.

The East has Castle, Farrington, Kahuku, Kailua, Kalaheo, McKinley and Roosevelt.

The only OIA team without a preseason game is Kahuku because it will use its matchup against Long Beach Poly as its non-counting league game. That game is set for Sept. 21 as part of the HHSAA/First Hawaiian Bank Football Classic.

SITE CHANGE

• Campbell on the move: Campbell's preseason game against Kalaheo on Saturday has been moved to Mililani High. Campbell's football field, which had its crown adjusted, is awaiting clearance for use from the state, athletic director Duane Izumi said.