He later said he was referring to Kahuku.

"And so those (Kahuku) kids know, and we get the word to them, if they want to stay home, they have a scholarship," Jones continued. "At the same time, we wasted five years working hard on opening an avenue for a lot of those kids, and they get pushed to the Mainland. Some of the situations, I don't think, (are) in the best interest of the kid. But what are you going to do?"

Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said Jones' comments, which were broadcast live across the state, were "unfair to me. I'm so hurt."

Livai said UH did not offer recruiting trips to any of the eight Red Raiders who signed letters of intent Wednesday with Division I-A football programs. None signed with UH.

"We were proud (of the signings), but all of what was said (by Jones) hurts us," Livai said. "It hurts our community. It hurts our program. It's sad June Jones sees us that way. I hope people know we're not that way."

Several Kahuku graduates have played for UH since Jones was named head coach in December 1998, including safeties Hyrum Peters and Leonard Peters and offensive tackle Tala Esera.

Jones said he "loves" those players and they have contributed to the program's success. "But guess what? Nobody else was recruiting those guys except us," Jones said. "That should answer that."

Jones also made reference to offensive lineman Jeremy Perry, who verbally committed to Arizona last year.

On signing day, Perry changed his mind, inking a letter of intent with UH. Jones, who did not identify Perry by name, said the player was told to take the letter "home and think about it."

A signed letter is not binding until the school receives it. Perry ended up committing to Oregon State.

"What else can you do?" Jones said.

Livai said he told Perry to take his time because he appeared to be sad when he signed with UH during the ceremony.

"I had nothing to do with the kid's choice," Livai said.

Asked if he would attempt a rapprochement, Jones said, "I did, for five years. I haven't received any phone calls back, and (UH) left numerous messages. The kids know out there, through their assistant coaches, if they want to come to Hawai'i, then they can come. Half of those eight (Kahuku signees) would have had scholarships here, but their coaches didn't call us. I don't know if that's passed on to the kids. But it's communicated through our part."

Livai said he does not influence his players' decisions. "It's the family's choice," he said. "I don't want to be blamed if it doesn't work out. ... I need to be a professional. I'm a high school football coach. I'm trying to send them to as many programs as I can. I have to be neutral. I don't know what (the UH coaches) are blaming us for."