Sam Moku, who has guided Kamehameha to three boys track and field state championships and five Interscholastic League of Honolulu titles, has stepped down after 15 years as the Warriors' coach, according to a school press release.

"Coach Moku has been one of the most respected coaches in the track and field community and his service to Kamehameha has been invaluable to our student-athletes," Blane Gaison, the Warriors' associate director of athletics, said in the release. "We are very sorry and sad that he has stepped down from the position but we are also very thankful for all that he has done. We wish him the best with his growing professional and family responsibilities."

Moku, a former football standout at Damien and the University of Hawai'i, guided Kamehameha to state championships in 2001, 2002 and 2007, and 16 ILH championships at three levels (five at varsity, seven JV and four intermediate).

Harvey McInerny, a 1974 Kamehameha graduate and longtime assistant under Moku, has been named as Moku's successor. McInerny has been an assistant track coach for 11 years, an assistant cross country coach for eight years, and assistant football coach for one year.

"We are very excited for Coach Mac and firmly believe that he will continue the strong Kamehameha tradition we have here with our boys track and field program," Gaison said.

OIA BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS START TODAY

The O'ahu Interscholastic Association boys basketball playoffs begin today under a new "modified double-elimination" format.

At Kalaheo, East No. 5 seed Moanalua (5-7) will face West No. 4 Kapolei (5-7) at 5 p.m., followed by West No. 6 'Aiea (2-10) vs. East No. 3 Kalaheo (8-4) at about 6:30.

At Radford, West No. 5 Leilehua (5-7) plays East No. 4 Farrington (6-6) at 5 p.m., followed by East No. 6 Kaiser (1-11) vs. West No. 3 Radford (9-3) at about 6:30.

The losers of today's games are eliminated, and the winners will advance to tomorrow's second round at Kahuku and Mililani.