In between fielding a constant string of phone calls that started since announcing his resignation as Kahuku High School's football coach Monday morning, Siuaki Livai said yesterday he is at peace with his decision despite some negative reaction that surfaced in the media and from the rumor mill.

"I'm happy," said Livai, who guided the Red Raiders to four of the past six state championships in his 10 seasons at the helm. "I did this on my own, it's the right time for me, and now I'm ready to go on with the rest of my life."

Almost as soon as Livai's resignation was made official during a meeting Monday morning with principal Lisa DeLong and athletic director Joe Whitford, word spread like wildfire throughout the North Shore and later around the island. Then came speculation — fueled in part by a KHON report that included negative comments from members of Livai's staff — that he was pressured into resigning.

Yesterday, school and Department of Education officials said Livai was cleared of any allegations that ever came their way.

"We've had complaints, but we addressed them," said Lea Albert, a DOE Windward District deputy superintendent who oversees Kahuku High School. "If there was a concern, appropriate action was taken."

Whitford, noting the prominence of and publicity surrounding the Red Raiders' program, said allegations were common during Livai's tenure.

"Lisa and I have to investigate every one, but he was cleared of everything," Whitford said.

Specifics of the allegations were not disclosed, but Livai said yesterday his position was never in jeopardy.

"No one ever approached me about that; if there was an investigation, they didn't bring it to me," he said. "I didn't do anything wrong."

Livai acknowledged his program had its share of critics, including members of his coaching staff. But he said their views do not represent the majority.

"Some people want me going down hurt, and some people want to see the ugly side of it," Livai said. "I always put the kids first, so I hired coaches who I knew could help the program. I wasn't trying to win a popularity contest. I tried to never lose focus on putting the kids first, if it had to do with football, academics, discipline, respect ..."

In an official statement from Kahuku on Monday, DeLong said "the head coaching position will be advertised through school sources and is anticipated to be filled within the next month."

Doug Semones, who was Kahuku's head coach from 1989 to 1995 and guided the Red Raiders to four OIA titles, said last night he plans to apply for the job. Semones left after the 1995 season to join Fred vonAppen's staff at the University of Hawai'i.

He served as defensive line coach for three years before vonAppen was fired after the 1998 season. Semones then coached his son's Pop Warner teams and later was defensive coordinator for the Hawaiian Islanders arenafootball2 professional franchise, in addition to serving as an assistant for Kahuku's JV and varsity programs.

He coached the varsity linebackers last season.

Semones briefly was a vice principal at Kahuku, an administrative position that restricted him from coaching at the high school. But he has since become Dean of Students, which is classified as a teaching position.

JV coach Reggie Torres said Monday night he plans to apply. Torres also is the head coach for the Red Raiders' boys and girls wrestling and judo programs; the boys wrestling team won the state title earlier this month.

Former varsity co-defensive coordinator Byron Beatty said last night he also plans to apply.

Beatty, who was the OIA's Defensive Player of the Year for Kahuku in 1986, was a longtime assistant to Livai, but stepped down after the 2004 season.

"Kahuku is a great place, and a lot of people want to be a part of it," Semones said.

In the meantime, Livai said he has been constantly on the phone with former and current players, family, friends and colleagues.

"Ninety-nine-point-nine percent of it has been positive; a lot of the players don't want me to quit," said Livai, who hopes attention will turn to the future. "To me, it's done, it's over, so what more is there? All I want is to leave with my dignity, and rest in peace."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.