Siuaki Livai, who guided Kahuku High School to four of the past six football state championships and unprecedented national prominence in the past decade, resigned yesterday morning after 10 seasons at the helm.

"It's the right time to leave, as a champion," Livai said in an official school statement sent to The Advertiser. "I've accomplished more than I ever expected. I want to spend more time with my family, my 'Back to the Roots' (football) program ... I want to thank all the people who helped, especially my coaches, because we wouldn't have achieved such great heights without the support of our school community."

Livai, Kahuku principal Lisa DeLong and Kahuku athletic director Joe Whitford could not be reached by phone yesterday, but in the school statement DeLong and Whitford praised Livai, who compiled a 102-20 career record and also led the Red Raiders to seven O'ahu Interscholastic Association titles.

"We appreciate Siuaki's tireless efforts to develop a well-rounded program that brought more than championships to the school," DeLong said. "He extended his reach beyond the field as his athletes were always respectful and gracious on campus, serving as role models and mentoring younger students, and kept their grades up so they could participate in athletics and eventually meet college eligibility requirements.

"Siuaki also helped mentor a number of students who were able to turn their lives around through football ... "

Dozens of Livai's former players received NCAA Division I football scholarships, and several ended up in the NFL. But there also are countless others who maybe did not play much but nonetheless got to suit up and become a "Red Raider for Life," as a popular school T-shirt proudly states.

Livai, who played for Kahuku in the mid-1970s, tried not to cut any players and often kept more than 100 players.

"The school has benefitted greatly under Coach Livai," Whitford said in the statement. "He was directly involved in ... ensuring that students were successful academically."

After last season, there were rumors circulating about Livai possibly stepping down. He denied those rumors then, but Saturday indicated he was contemplating not returning for next season. Livai said he was undecided then and still wanted to talk to family and friends before setting up a meeting with DeLong and Whitford.

"I'll pray about it tomorrow, and then maybe things will be clearer," Livai said Saturday night. "My wife wanted me to step down five years ago, and I kept saying 'One more year, one more year ...' I need to talk to the people who are closest to me before I decide."

Livai acknowledged he has received sporadic criticism from the Kahuku community despite his unprecedented success.

"It's the same old thing — people are not happy here and there," Livai said Saturday.

Former Saint Louis coach Cal Lee, who guided the Crusaders to a record 15 Prep Bowl and state championships before resigning in 2001, said he can understand the pressure Livai might have been facing.

"It wears on you, and only you know if it's time to step down," said Lee, now a linebackers coach at the University of Hawai'i. "You're never going to please everyone, and all it takes is just a handful of unhappy people to shake the boat. But Siuaki's done a lot for the players, school and community at Kahuku, and there's probably no better way to go out than as the (reigning) champion."

Livai is Kahuku's winningest coach and is one of only 18 in Hawai'i history with 100 career victories. During his tenure, the Red Raiders also received significant national media attention, earning a spot in several polls and appearing on the cover of USA Today.

At 8 p.m. April 12, Kahuku's football program will be featured on the ESPN2 documentary show "Timeless."

Livai also has taken all-star teams to American Samoa through his "Back to the Roots" program after the past three seasons.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.