ISLE FILE
McKinley looking for new football head coach
Advertiser Staff
After leading his team a game away from the state championship, David Tanuvasa has resigned as varsity football coach at McKinley High.
"There are some personal and professional things I need to take care of," Tanuvasa said.
Tanuvasa said he will return to the University of Hawai'i to pick up additional credits so he can qualify for pay increases. Although he said he enjoys coaching, he said he would like to consider getting into the administrative side of education, which would not allow him to coach. Department of Education rules prohibit education officers from coaching.
Tanuvasa guided the Tigers to the state semifinals, where they lost to Castle, 27-21, in triple overtime. The Tigers finished fourth in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association East and third in the OIA tournament. McKinley was 9-5 overall, marking only the third time since joining the OIA in 1970 the school attained as many wins.
In 10 seasons, he compiled a 59-41-1 record, making him the winningest coach in the school's history. His teams made the postseason six times. His 10 seasons is the second-longest tenure at the school behind William Wise's 13 (1941-1953).
Despite his success on the field, Tanuvasa said the most gratifying part of coaching is watching the students he has worked with graduate.
"Seeing them walk at graduation is very fulfilling," he said.
The school is seeking applicants for the opening. Resumes should be sent to Athletic Director Neal Takamori, McKinley High School, 1039 South King St., Honolulu 96814. Deadline to apply is Feb. 14.
PRO BASEBALL
Japan star to sign autographs: Hawai'i Winter League product Hiroki Kokubo, an all-star third baseman for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks of Japanese professional baseball, will be signing autographs at the Daiei Kaheka Street store from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow.
A limited number of autographed memorabilia will be given away, as well as a hotel/dinner package, according to a press release from Outrigger Hotels, which is co-sponsoring the event with Daiei.
Kokubo played in the HWL after his rookie season with the Hawks in 1994. The next season, he became a full-time starter under manager Sadaharu Oh, Japan's all-time home run king with 868.
The 32-year-old Kokubo has 227 career home runs — he hit a career-best 44 in 2001 and hit 32 this past season — in 10 seasons. He and several other players from Japan are conditioning on their own in Hawai'i before spring training begins.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Arizona State sweeps UHH: Arizona State pounded out 27 hits in sweeping a doubleheader from host Hawaii-Hilo, 10-5 and 14-2, yesterday at Wong Stadium in Hilo.
Travis Buck sparked a four-run sixth in the first game with a two-run single to give ASU a 7-2 lead in the scheduled nine-inning game.
In the second game, scheduled for seven, the Sun Devils scored in every inning but the sixth.
Arizona State is 3-0, while UH-Hilo fell to 0-3.
The two teams will play at 1 p.m. today at Simmon's Field in Kailua, Kona, and will finish the series with a single game starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow at Simmon's Field.
