Kahuku and Mililani squared off three times in the 2024 season.
Kahuku reached the HHSAA Open Division state final, but only after losing to Mililani, 14-10, then beating the Trojans, 35-6, in the OIA playoffs, and 8-6 in the state tournament.
The road to the state final goes through Mililani for Kahuku, and it goes through Kahuku for Mililani. The No. 5 Trojans (6-1, 3-0) play at Carleton E. Weimer Field on Friday as they and host Kahuku (5-3, 3-0) are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the Open Division.
Kickoff is set for around 7:30 p.m. This the first matchup of the two powerhouse programs at Kahuku since Oct. 15, 2022, when Kahuku prevailed, 29-17.
Linebackers Malaki Soliai-Tui (6-1, 215) and Talanoa Ili (6-4, 225), and defensive lineman Shaden Niu (5-11, 255) are among Kahuku’s essential defenders in the box. Niu has ancient, vivid memories about the Kahuku-Mililani series history. He remembers precisely when Mililani last won a game at Kahuku.
“It was homecoming. I think Dillon Gabriel was the quarterback. I wasn’t too young, maybe 9. They had (Vavae) Malepeai. Some dogs,” Niu said. “I was just a fan. I had cousins on the team. Sol-Jay (Maiava-Peters). I remember going to a lot of games.”
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The Trojans won that game on Sept. 29, 2018, when Gabriel masterfully dissected Kahuku’s defense in a 38-10 win for Mililani. Gabriel, who made his debut as a starting QB for the Cleveland Browns over the weekend, passed for 312 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions that night.
Niu says he was 5 or 6 at the time, which actually places him at, possibly, the 2015 Mililani-at-Kahuku matchup at Aloha Stadium. It was Malepeai’s All-State offensive player of the year season — Gabriel’s freshman season — but Kahuku beat Mililani, 20-7. Kahuku went on to steamroll Saint Louis in the state title game, 39-14.
The teams did not meet in ’16. In ’17, they played in the state semifinal round at Aloha Stadium, a 35-31 Kahuku victory.
In ’18, Gabriel’s offensive POY season, the Trojans traveled to the North Shore and trounced Kahuku. They met again for the OIA title at Aloha Stadium one month later, a 27-7 Mililani win. Saint Louis beat Mililani in the state final, 38-17.
Times haven’t changed much at all since. One difference in this era is that both Kahuku and Mililani travel to the mainland regularly. They are among the crown jewels in a league brimming with talent and experienced and overqualified coaches.
“I think it’s a perfect test for this team. We’ve been through a lot this season,” Niu said. “We’re just hoping to get the No. 1 spot (in the OIA) secure for this young team. Mililani is a solid team. I grew up playing most of them in JPS football. A lot of familiar faces, so it’ll be a good game.”
The 2025 Trojans have playmakers from sideline to sideline for QB Kekoa Koong. RB Jarius Borges (5-10, 180) has been steady. Bless Hanalei Cabrera-Hopkins (5-11, 180) and Luke VanAntwerp (6-2, 200) lead a talented receiver group.
Mililani’s defense has risen to the challenge almost every week. The Trojans permit just 14 points per game in league play. Defensive linemen Ezekiel Kelemete (6-1, 220) and Samson Satele (6-3, 210), and linebacker Trehsyn Fesili (6-3, 215) are key contributors to a stout defensive unit.
Kahuku’s defense has found its stride. Since a loss to Bishop Gorman, Kahuku has allowed just 14 points per game. That includes a stellar performance in a 71-7 win over Farrington last week.
No. 3 Saint Louis at No. 7 Punahou
Alexander Field
Saturday, 3 p.m.
The Crusaders (3-2, 0-1 ILH Open) are coming off, perhaps, their most baffling loss in coach Tupu Alualu’s two seasons. In last week’s 28-21 loss at Kamehameha, they moved the ball with success, including 371 passing yards by QB Nainoa Lopes. However, two clutch pick-6 plays by Kamehameha’s defense were game changers.
With just four league games in the ILH’s three-team, double round-robin format, each game carries immense weight. The Saint Louis-Punahou loser on Saturday will still have a mathematical chance to win the ILH and earn its lone state-tournament berth, but it is remote at best.
Saint Louis’ 28-21 loss at Kamehameha last weekend puts the Crusader in potential elimination mode the rest of the way. Former Crusaders coach Delbert Tengan was in a similar situation one season, calling every remaining game the equivalent of a playoff contest. His team ran the table to a state title.
Saint Louis’ current staff has been through the rigors before. Last year’s team began 0-2 before finding its footing and identity en route to a state crown.
This year, the Crusader defense has been stalwart. The unit allowed just 14 points and 128 yards of total offense by Kamehameha (3.8 yards per play). DLs Ricky Liilii (6-5, 235) and Aloalii Malaki (6-3, 240), LB Mahana Alameda (6-1, 200) and DB Dallas Kealohanui (6-0, 170) were stellar.
Punahou (2-4, 0-1 ILH Open) did something Saint Louis could not. The Buffanblu scored 30 points against Kamehameha’s defense in a one-point loss two weeks ago. In three games against Hawaii teams, the offense led by QB Hunter Fujikawa has scored 110 points (36.7 per game).
Keola Ane and Brady Lau lead the receiving corps.
Waimea at Kapaa
Baptiste Sports Complex
Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
On paper, this is a matchup of a Division II program with the reigning D-I state champion.
On Kauai, it is always about island pride. Waimea won the D-II state crown in 2022 and ’23. A young Menehune team battled and struggled at times in ’24, but this year’s squad (3-2, 2-1 KIF) has already posted two wins over Kauai, and defeated Waialua, 41-12, in early August.
Kapaa (4-1, 3-0 KIF) won the first leg of the three-game series, 28-7, three weeks ago.
Kapaa QB Kaitin Mundon has been a dual threat with seven rushing TDs while RBs Sonny Thomas and Alakai Pigao-Mundon have combined for 109 rushing yards per game.
Containing that smash mouth ground attack is a huge key for Waimea. Kapaa’s stout offensive line is young and maturing week by week. Coach Mike Tresler has LT Kendall Gorospe (5-8, 230), LG Kanoa Lopez (5-11, 280), C Julius Iglesia (5-11, 195), RG Mana Kelekoma (6-0, 255) and RT Bobby Kaneakua (5-11, 280). A group of three seniors and two sophomores (Gorospe and Kaneakua).
“I like their commitment to the process and daily and weekly improvement. Execution improves week to week. They are young, quiet workhorses,” Tresler said.
Kapaa has won the last nine matchups with Waimea, which last beat the Warriors on Sept. 10, 2022, 7-3, at Baptiste Sports Complex.
