Quarterback Justin Uahinui attended his second football practice with the Farrington Governors on Tuesday. The junior showed nimble feet during some cone drills.
In the spring, he was with the Kaiser Cougars and looking impressive, guiding the offense in team drills effectively.
Why the switch, which was first reported by Billy Hull on Monday?
In Uahinui’s own words: “It wasn’t my decision. It was my parents’ decision. They wanted to be closer to their jobs so we moved (from Kaimuki to Kalihi). I will miss those guys (at Kaiser) and everybody there was cool and we had good coaches. And I’m comfortable here (so far).”
Apparently, Kaiser’s players and coaches were caught by surprise when they learned of Uahinui’s transfer this week, with the season coming up so soon. The Cougars play a tri-scrimmage against St. Francis and Kailua on Thursday at Kailua before opening the season Aug. 7 at Kapolei.
“I was working out with coach Chad (Ikei) one day and I was going to go to the school to tell coach (Cameron) Higgins. But before we went, I got a phone message telling me they already knew.”
Farrington coach Randall Okimoto said Tuesday that he has never seen Uahinui play and that Uahinui will battle last season’s backup Joziah Anakalea and Bishop Rapoza for the starting position. Rapoza is a transfer from Moanalua. Anakalea is a senior and the other two are juniors.
Uahinui was once enrolled at Saint Louis and has been going to Crusaders assistant Vince Passas’ quarterback camps since he was in eighth grade, according to a Hawaii Prep World article by Paul Honda in May: http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/qa-saint-louis-qb-coach-vince-passas/.
A year ago, a similar late-season quarterback transfer also had to do with Kaiser, but the other way around. Uahinui was slated to be the sophomore starter, but was lost for the season with a broken collarbone. Just before the season began Kalawaia Judd transferred to the Cougars from Kauai and eventually started every game at quarterback.
In a sense, Uahinui just beat the deadline. Had he waited until school started later this week, he would not have been able to transfer. A new transfer rule will go into effect, and any player going from an Oahu Interscholastic Association team to another OIA team to play the same sport will have to sit out a year.
I don’t know the rules. But I thought the rules was in effect since last year? A few Saint louis guys had to sit out a year due to this. And now a bunch of people are transferring and not sitting out kaiser, kapolei, campbell.. Confusing but none of my business.
Wrong information. Anakalea is a senior. Inconsistency in stories. Kaiser’s QB transfer went around telling Farrington players, “Kaiser sucks, that’s why I wanted to play with you guys.” Why was a follow-up from the last story necessary? Because they had to get their stories straight and make the QB sound more humble? Doesn’t make since. It’s too bad parents do whatever for football and not academics. Usually, parents want to transfer because of academics since this is the Department of EDUCATION not the Department of ATHLETICS!
Want the truth? Follow the families or interview the athletes who had to listen to him speak harshly of his former school.
Hello Kimsicles:
I wrote the story. You are correct. My mistake. Anakalea is a senior and I will be correcting that. We at the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii Prep World thought the follow-up was necessary to get the QBs side of the story. Let me know who wants to go on the record to say that the QB said “Kaiser sucks, that’s why I wanted to play with you guys” and I will do everything I can to get that in a story. But, I doubt anyone wants to say that. If it’s true, they should. Let me know if you can help me on this. Thanks. And thanks for your readership.
Hi PopsJ:
The new OIA transfer rule goes into effect at the end of this week. In the past, OIA or public school transfers did not have to sit out a year. Starting real soon, they will have to sit out a year. I believe the ILH’s rule is players already must sit out a year if it’s from an ILH to an ILH school.
The OIA transfer rule takes into affect this starting new school year so anyone who transfer must do it before the first day when school starts once school starts any transfer must sit out but can appeal the process to the OIA in the case of the ILH which is a different league with their own rules any transfer from high school to high school must sit out that sport they are playing from last season to the next season and also it sounds like a upset parent of Kaiser HS that making the false statement about calling out the team because wouldn’t you think he would’ve transfer in the summer not a week before the season starts?
The ILH transfer rule is one year for transfers from another ILH school OR an OIA transfer if the student/athlete participated in that sport the previous season.
Right I just know a guy that transferred from oia into saint louis and he had to sit out. It’s just confusing..
In the case of the ILH any athlete playing a sport at any high school weather it maybe football basketball ….etc must sit the incoming season but say this athlete played football last year but not basketball he or she can play basketball now in the case of the OIA since the transfer rule was not adopted into the by-laws after this past season therefore the transfer cannot take into effect after the start of the new year which is this year so if a player who transfer after the 1st of school started will now have sit out the season
Since when is Kaimuki in Kaiser’s district?PP
Where’s the popcorn? This is one nuts roller coaster kind of movie. The things parents do just so their kids can go to another school? I just learned a parent rented a place in Mililani in the past so their son could play there, but they still lives in housing in Kalihi! SMH I wish I could have a place in Kaneohe too, but I don’t get to step on that kind of money! lol How is this allowed? Just because some schools require leases while others require utility bills to prove residence! What chapter are we on? lol
FYI: 16 in 16 airs last Thursday featuring QB status on Farrington. Kaiser’s QB registers for school at Farrington on Friday then shows up to GOVs practice/team bonding at Ala Moana Late Friday afternoon without giving Kaiser coaches any heads up. Who would do something like that?
Whatever his excuse was, he let down his team mates down big time to play for another team a week before season starts.
He didn’t need to transfer just cause he moved!
Agree with Desmond. If his family lived in the Kaimuki District, he should have atended Kaimuki High.
To Much Haters in The World. Let the kids play. Parents Make the Final Decision of What School Their Kids Should Attend. And That,s The Bottom Line For All U Haters.
No One Said Anything 2 Years Ago When Kaiser Had Kids Transferring To Their because of Coach Miano. But Now When They Lose Their Starting Quarterback that didn’t even Play a Game Last Season They Are Questioning The Parents Decision and Bashing The Player. Sounds Like Haters to Me………….
People are going to say what they want to say until they themselves are in the same situation. Maybe the reason Kids transfer to other schools is the same reason we stand in line for hours for the next Iphone(even though the Iphone we currently have works just fine) or trade in an old car for a new one. They just want something new…..
Maybe the parents didn’t find a place they could afford until that late date. Also, the family did move to be closer to the parents jobs. It is hard on the kids, but you gotta do what it takes to earn a living.