Kahuku football

In the end, Zion Ah You wouldn’t surrender his chance for one last season as a Kahuku Red Raider. The Star-Advertiser All-State defensive lineman could have taken a route to Utah this fall while Hawaii high school football goes dormant. Utah powerhouse Orem, which won the 5A state title last year, is home to some of Ah You’s relatives. The Tigers have won three state crowns in a row, but he thought better of it. “No way. Only if they […]

The debate continues for the passionate and compassionate fans of the Kahuku Red Raiders. Monday’s story in the Star-Advertiser about the ongoing petitions for and against the nickname included interviews with three prominent voices in the discussion. Generational, familial ties to the school are deeply rooted. Tanoai Reed played for Kahuku, as did his father and son. Kahuku graduate and Kamehameha high school teacher Norm “T-Man” Thompson also played for the Red Raiders, but has changed his perspective over time. […]

(Update: Bellefonte High School in Pennsylvania is still debating on a possible name change.) In Pennsylvania, a high school may cease being the Red Raiders. In Lubbock, Texas, a prominent university thrives as Red Raiders. What’s the difference? Possibly, community support. Since the beginning of American democracy, communities create the standards and often times, laws are created to reflect those values, for better or worse. At Kahuku, where “Red Raiders” as an identity has been set in stone since 1950, […]

(Note: The counter petition was started by Fatu Te‘o-Tafiti and has been updated as of July 9, 9 a.m.) A petition drive is underway to change the nickname of Kahuku High School. The school has been “Red Raiders” for decades after receiving much-needed uniforms from ‘Iolani generations ago. While ‘Iolani later dropped “Red” from its nickname two decades ago, Kahuku has thrived in athletics and has a rich tradition, particularly in football. The online petition has 478 signatures as of […]

Former Kahuku star quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava is back in town. On Thursday, the dual-threat QB was with his Team Mauka teammates practicing for Saturday’s fourth-annual Polynesian Bowl at Aloha Stadium. It will be his last high school game, and it won’t be long before he is suiting up for BYU. “It was probably the best decision I’ve made in my life,” Maiava said at Thursday’s practice at the stadium about his choice to transfer to St. John’s College High School […]