Kahuku's Funaki accepts UH football scholarship

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kahuku quarterback Inoke Funaki passed for 29 TDs. Advertiser library photo

"Yes, he's committed to UH," said Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai, who added, "first of all, his potential has not been scratched as a player."

The 6-foot, 180-pound Livai led the Red Raiders to a 14-0 record and their second consecutive state high school football championship.

"We couldn't have won the last two without him," Livai said.

Last season, Funaki passed for 2,446 yards and 29 touchdowns. He ran for 540 yards and eight touchdowns, including two touchdowns in the state title game against St. Louis School.

"I wanted him to stay home," Livai said. "That's the best thing for him. And he always wanted to go to UH. He has a lot of respect for Coach June Jones. For him to recruit Funaki as a quarterback, it meant a lot to (Funaki) and his family, and also to our program at Kahuku."

Livai said Kahuku has a reputation as run-oriented team.

"He came along and made Kahuku become a balanced team," Livai said.

"With Funaki's ability to pass and run, he gave us two looks for the opponents to defend."

Livai said Funaki is considering going on a church mission this year, but a final decision has not been reached.

Meanwhile, teammate Jonathan Mapu, the state's Defensive Player of the Year, was still considering his college options last night.