Former Damien football player and wrestler Keoua Kauhi has filed a civil action against Blane Gaison and the ILH challenging the league’s transfer rule.
Kauhi, who led the Monarchs with 914 rushing yards and five touchdowns last year, transferred to Saint Louis in March and applied for an exemption of the ILH’s transfer rule but was denied because of “a standing league and state policy regarding transfer students,” according to the lawsuit obtained by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Kauhi claims that the Damien coaching staff had an issue with him and some teammates participating in trips sponsored by the Hawaii Athletes in Action Foundation, and one of those trips led to the group being punished in front of the rest of the team for participating.
The filing claims that the situation devolved into verbal abuse including at least one racial slur by the Damien head coach that resulted in Kauhi suffering from anxiety, stress and depression. The filing claims that attempts to resolve the situation with the school were ignored.
Kauhi, who lives in Kaneohe and had been enrolled at Damien since seventh grade, is currently ineligible to participate in ILH sports. The filing asks for the right to play football and wrestle at Saint Louis in his senior year so as to not hurt his college prospects. Kauhi claims that he has drawn ‘definite interest’ from seven different college football programs, including Utah, Idaho State and UNLV.
Civil case No. 18-1-1064-07 asks for an exemption of the transfer rule because of the following:
“The ILH’s applicable rules on their face are impermissibly vague, ambiguous and overbroad in violation of provisions of article I of the Constitution of the State of Hawaii and and the fifth and fourteenth amendments to the United States Constitution.”
The Monarchs have won the last three ILH Division II championships.
If the real reason for Keoua’s withdrawal from Damien was because of the mistreatment from the coaches, and he still wants to play for a private school, send the kid to St. Francis. If he refuses to play for St.Francis, but is still willing to play at St. Louis, then obviously he’s leaving for other reasons….
I am a St. Louis alumni and it hurts me to see how bad St Louis has become. It is precisely because of St. Louis (and Cal Lee) that these rules were are there in the first place! To them football is just a business to boost the school! So they bring Cal back to boost the football program and all this chaos with recruiting again!
Did you know that the staring QB at St. Louis (the one who attended Damien), was sponsored for 12k during his 9th grade year in hopes of him staying on board all the way? His father claimed that he got a full ride for his 11th-12th grade year as to why he moved him to St Louis. But truth be told these parents have no loyalty they are just wanna be’s that did not succeed in sports. Did you also know that this father is also a Damien Alumni too! Amazing loyalty right! At least he followed the rules and sat out his 10th grade year. But after the move not even a THANK YOU was uttered by the parents to his sponsor! That’s no way to teach kids gratitude! The reason I know this is because I have a lot of friends from Damien.
My kid is now at a public school. Why should I send him to St Louis when he could get a better education at a public school. I know a non football parent at St. Louis who said he’s truly amazed how many St. Louis football players who do not even have the academic credentials to graduate! So, so sad! Seems you actually may get a better education at a public school than at St. Louis if you play football!
BMan-
No need my bad me, it really should be to Nate who has nothing to do with this article.
Student rules. Adult rules. Two different things. Advantage? Not convinced that it creates an unfair advantage. Example- Punahou with all their all-star coaches have not won the ILH in 3 years. Done.
I wasnt attempting sarcasm, its called an opinion. You simply dont agree with it, but you are now attributing my comment as to the reason why this player has suffered mentally? Choose my words wiser? I did, and thats what came out. Wait, because of my comment here on HPW on 7/10/18 you now know why this kid has suffered mentally? Rubbish.
Gibberish about the divisions. Gibberish about Millilani. Gibberish about offending anyone (too late-remember Nate?). Gibberish about clarity (stirring the pot). Insincerity about wishing the best of luck to everyone involved.
No need comment.
Ouch is right! Who knows what went on behind the scenes? Let it all come out in court and see what the outcome is. If the ILH is to blame then so be it, if the coaches are to blame the same, and so with the boy and his parents. You’re all bashing each other and a lot sounds like jealousy to me, but thats just my opinion. Lets not forget it’s about the boy and the rules. Stop getting personal! When he gets older and his kids read this stuff they’re going to ask him, Daddy why were those people so mean to you? You were only a kid! And coaches what do your kids say to you about this if they even know that youre bashing the boy? Im definitely for the boy here because if my child was getting bullied by anybody,! I’ll just leave it at that! Amen and Aloha people! Remember, Malama Pono!
He going say, “my daddys ego was bigger than his biceps, thats why they picked on me”.
I kid, I kid. Really, I kid.
You are right about this being about the young man, who is actually a sweet kid who is trying to be a good son. No problem with that.
Best of luck to you Keoua. I wish you success at whichever school you land at, except St. Louis. lol.
No my brother! I believe hes just defending his son like you would if it were yours! In fact, you would probably kick the people involved in their!!!!! You know what I mean! From what I understand the boys grandfather went to St. Louis and if Damien really had a problem with him they should have just gave him their blessings and moved on. I think he has a legit reason for going there because his family are both St. Louis and Damien alums! Does he really have big biceps? Lol!💪😉
ILH… my last comment as this has turned into a circus. Coaches leave year after year(facts), 3 divisions so kids can compete within there playing level (facts), You stated an opinion and so did I (facts). After reading ur gibberish comments I now realize how childish and immature you are in what you are saying (FACT). Let the courts settle this matter. Everything will come to light and the truth will prevail. BirdMan > ILH (fact) … but best of luck to MIGHTY MONARCHS…. I kid I kid I kid
BMan wrote:
Funny how everyone is overlooking the fact of the reason for transfer… at the bottom of the article the documents can be read.. I’m all for the rules, but in this case (after reading deep into it), it’s clear as day…. let’s take a look at this situation NOT AS FOOTBALL FANS but as parents and mentors (since I see a lot of coaches on here)…. BTW… tell me when teams like Kaiser, Mililani, Kapolei had talent like it has now??? I know at least 7 kids that aren’t even from that district… stop pointing the fingers at St. Louis… all you other coaches know dam well you trying to build teams to try beat them! IF THIS WAS MY KID, I sue the shit outta the ILH AND THE SCHOOL!!
Last comment. Not.
Its all gibberish because it really has no real significance to the article. Just in that little pinhead of yours.
Im Immature? Nope. You just cannot hang with someone clearly smarter than you.
Lastly, youve mentioned that you are a trainer and coach?/mentor of youth? Maybe you should practice what you preach, potty mouth. Sue the “ish” outta the ILH and the School!!
Ok. Byeee.
ILHPD good luck to the Mighty Monarchs. I kid I kid I kid… everyone involved better go get a lawyer from what I read.. time to get into self preservation mode. Get the life jackets ready, the ship may be sinking but best wishes.. ok byeeee
By the way, I went to Damien and was a pretty popular guy in my day, and beyond! I’m also very good friends with a bunch of St. Louis alum. If we all come from the Catholic Christian brotherhood this shouldn’t be happening! I bet all of you have friends from the other side or even relatives! So stop the nonsense and act like the men we were taught to be, or not, and go on and act like a bunch of donkeys! 🐴🐴🐴🐴🐴🤔
@ILH sue whoever you got to sue. At the end of the day when it goes to court, it will come down to evidence. What evidence is there? You don’t know, I don’t know. I got friends from both schools and from what I’m hearing, hear the full story before you decide. I know coaches from both schools and neither would belittle a kid.
Holy Smokes just seen on Fox News about the kids that getting stuck at the border. Talking about due process of the law and giving kids the rights because they are minors. Wow.. this is way off topic but it’s kinda like kids that are not even citizens of the United States get more dam rights. This is only football. Grant this tthing because legally, no one can take away opportunity from anyone… it’s the law under the United States. Just my opinion. Way off topic but had to throw in my viewpoint. Aloha
If I’m not mistaken, Damien has a successful program. I’m sure there is no love lost from the pounding and massacres suffered from StL. during the old ILH days. Now Klaneski have to deal with his best players getting recruited? From another catholic school? Make like DeLaura and stay back one year. By the way, the OIA does not allow one year transfers. They too gotta sit for one year. What is loyalty? You play since 7 grade and want to transfer to the State champs for your senior year? StL. really needs rbs. College also have these rules in place.
If it doesn’t work out he should definitely go to an OIA school. The transfer rules there have challenged and now the door is wide open. Castle would be an obvious choice. But he could get a DE and go to any school on the Windward side, Kailua, Kalaheo, or even Kahuku.
O.K. The school is the “bigger car.” And should gave been the bigger entity. And the bigger “man.” Make the darn exception.
Smatter? Damien doesn’t understand the concept of lawsuits? Should be a springboard school from which more than a few of its graduates graduate in law later on, no? How about the Catholic angle? Do the right thing. i’ Catholic and I see the non-legal rumblings solution all this a mile away.
And let’s interview more people from UH. See what their impressions of Klanesky was. Ah come on!!!!
The transfer rules for ILH have been there for many years. I was one who had to sit out the year. Did it kill me? No. Did it make me work harder? Absolutely! We all know what goes on. What is the athlete learning? Life is NOT fair. Sports teaches that. He can take the sit out and still be a great athlete. If he comes back better than before then great. If he is that great he won’t lose his shine. He will look better. I must say though this negative issue wouldnt look great to a future program should problems arise a lawsuit may occur…AGAIN. Think what this is really doing. ALL ATHLETES who sit out hate it because they love the game.
In regards to Nate Illaoa, he was not retained from Kahuku. So comparison to a player transferring is not the same.
In terms of the Birdman Post. Jake Smotherman did play for Iolani (2015) his Junior year and transferred to Saint Francis (2016) his Senior year and played football the following year without having to sit out. I’m not sure of the details but I am interested of how the ILH explains that one in comparison.
So Keoua does have a argument there.
Also, If you transferred from outer island team to an ILH school, you can play immediately. Example Triston Nichols (Maui), Luca Vartic (Konawaena) Nate Herbig (Kauai).
But if it was ILH-ILH or OIA-ILH (9th grade or after) you have to sit out a year.
But practices begin next week for some schools, with some scrimmages in 2 weeks and season beginning with in 3 weeks.
What’s the timetable for a verdict in this case? It could be month’s until he’s cleared or denied. Hopefully his parents can make the best possible decision to salvage something from his Senior year.
Coach C,
You’re wrong. If you transfer to your home public school u don’t sit out at all even if you’re gonna be a senior.
HI HS fan, if you get a GE, you sit a year. In this case this athlete is done. Only way he plays without sitting is by going to his home public school.
I’m glad to see that someone took the time to look up the case with Jacob Smothermon. Similar circumstances, and got the ok to play. i hope all the opinionated people on here take the time to do research on that, then maybe this case doesn’t look as crazy. The kid was harassed and bullied as stated in the lawsuit. I mean, it’s worth taking a look at and stop all this talk about recruiting and loyalty to Damien,etc etc. if this kid ended up hurting himself or others because of this situation, everyone would be saying they should’ve did something earlier or the school should’ve been notified or Damien is done. But because the parents are taking action and not waiting til disaster happened, everyone thinks this was for the wrong intentions. Gotta help these kids when they troubled and crying out for help, if we wait then it might be too late. It may seem like he’s not affected but we not sure of what’s going on in his head. Alot of us adults put a smile on our face and inside we troubled. I just concerned for the kids and want him to get a fair shake at this. But in the meantime, we shouldn’t leave any comments concerning him about this. I’m orerry sure he is already hurt and dealing with a lot of uncertainties.
Please do not post under multiple names.
For instance, CoachMike, Fromleftfield, Birdman, Kitty94, Love2Ball are all the same person.
IP addresses will be blocked moving forward.
Thanks.
Talofa Lava Everyone-
On behalf of our Hawaii Athletes in Action Foundation and most especially for our boy Keoua Kauhi Jr and his parents Keo Sr and Lavon-mich prayer needed to be done prior to replying. Here’s what we’d like the public to know and understand:
1. This lawsuit was a long time coming; sad that it took. so long to come to light. Keo.Sr as a Father could no longer stand by and wait for Damien Administration to do their job which is to provide a safe environment where his son Keoua and other students will be able to flourish: spiritually, mentally/emotionally, physically and excel.academically and protect.their students. DAMIEN FAILED Keoua miserably. My husband and his 2 brothers are very proud Damien Alumnus and the mistreatment of Keoua and his fellow HAIA brothers is appalling; so appalling that we, my husband and i along with the 12 Damien/HAIAA PARENTS demanded a meeting with Damien AD Mr. Aina and we even requested for the President to be present. When you have former Damien parents and former Damien Coaches show up to support our Damien/HAIA boys and hear parent after parent and Coach after Coach share their reason for leaving Damien and that they all had 1 common denominator: ”Eddie Klaneski and his OC were the reasons for leaving, amongst a slew of other things that transpired. What we witnessed was-if you as a Parent voiced your concern or made noise… your son was a target; Keoua and a couple of his HAIA/Damien brothers were singled out and became their targets cause their parents spoke up and questioned Eddie Klaneski and his OC.
2. Lemme ask you guys a question, and please be very honest: ”If you had knowledge that your son was being bullied, ridiculed and mentally/emotionally abused on a daily basis by men who are supposed to be your son’s mentor and father figure, what would you do? Keo Sr did what my husband would have done and that was to STAND UP & FIGHT for his son Keoua and all the other Damien football players who suffered this mental and emotional abuse by said coaches. Keo and his wife exhausted every avenue requesting AD and President of Damien to address this very pressing matter and it fell upon deaf ears. Even my husband Ana Sr and myself emailed and called AD and President to intervene and NOTHING! Damien had 3 years to address this matter and NOTHING was done.
3. PLEASE stop saying ”SAINT LOUIS” recruited Keoua. Keoua’s Grandpa is a Saint Louis Alumni and no recruiting was done. Keoua has red and blue blood running through his veins too. Keo Sr, a Damien Alumni himself would have wanted nothing more then to have his son follow in his footsteps and graduate a Damien Monarch.
4. There are so many witnesses, including video that brought this lawsuit forth. For you guys to make fun of a man whose only interest is to protect his son is really disheartening.
5. Everybody else you guys have named that transferred and followed the rules – did not transfer cause their mental/emotional and physical well being were at stake and were not being bullied to a point where depression took over their lives as it had with Keoua. Herbig and DeLaura transferred to Saint Louis cause they wanted better opportunities, academically and athletically.
There is so much to be addressed and it’ll.happen in a court of law in a couple of weeks. Keoua is a good boy and is like a son to us; he works hard, on the field and in the classroom. Keoua has NEVER EVER asked for special treatment-all he asked was to be treated with dignity and the opportunity to play a sport he loves, football. We give all of this to GOD and he will fight for Keoua, cause its whats right. If you cannot comment respectfully- than better you not comment at all. We ask you this again in closing: ”What would you do if your son’s safety and well being was at stake on a daily basis?”
God bless you always and be with you always Keoua. GOD got you guys!
Respectfully yours-
Mrs. Lua Tuiasosopo
The rule about you transferring to private to private or oia to private is absolutely wrong why if my son playing 9th grade at a public school and me or my wife got a better job and we can afford a send him to a private school but now the dumb rule is in play my son don’t want to sit out a year so he stays at a public school I always taught it was about the kids do you no how many kids fell to the loop that rule was put in because coach cal won all the prep bowl championships what if someone went to a public school transfers to a private school playing in a band would he have sit out one year the bottom line is this if the IlH is worrying about stacking teams look at punahou and by the way the OIA you can transfer from school to school let the kids play were they want its a lot better than being in gangs
Mrs. Lua Tuiasosopo, thank you for your inpit here. Was greatly needed.
Question: in your informed opinion, why would a coach be upset at any of his athletes participating in something like Hawaii Athletes in Action Foundation? Shouldn’t coach be HAPPY about something like that? 🤔
If anything that he alleges in his lawsuit is true- Coach K and his staff are not the nicest coaches out there. But let’s me real – there is no law against being an asshole to your players. It is unfortunate if these allegations are true, as they do not represent the Damien way of life. However, again – no laws are broken by belittling a player.
College football coaches throw tirades, cuss, slam things around in locker rooms ! If you can’t handle this at the high school level, there is no way you will play in college.
I’m quite sure when colleges take a look at this young man, and read the lawsuit- they will steer clear of offering him anything. Too risky.
Its a dumb rule, period! Commitment to school? thats laughable, who cares! students should commit to themselves and their families, a school will never support you like your family. Imagine if we could not switch jobs, companies, etc.. we would all be crying how unfair life is. If a student athlete switches school for any reason, God bless him!
This is ridiculous. Cmon people, open your eyes. This situation has nothing to do about St. Louis recruiting students or Damien ‘bullying’ a student, or even the ILH longstanding rule. What it really comes down to is this poor boy’s father and his resentment toward Klaneski from high school. Thats all that it is. Everything else is fabricated and total BS. The only sad part is that this boy is going to lose out because his dad has nothing else to do with himself. He should use his time to take anger management classes so he learns how to control himself around loved ones and others.
Wow… so many comments I thought was a RRFL vs STL story.
LMAOOOOOOO… Too much drama and season never even start yet.
The STL haterade is alive and well… and I’m sure they’re not sweating it. Let the kid play…they don’t even RUN at STL anymore…and they had stud RBs the last few years…he’ll be on the sidelines like the rest of them.
k…bye.
Lets be honest! This kid is no D-1 running back and the only reason he wants to go there is to be part of the the State Championship team. Be real, getting recruit by D-1 schools as running back, really? You have to run a 4.4 forty and you don’t even come close to having the size nor the strength to be a D-1 running back. May be NAIA! be real!
I can’t believe nobody is addressing the root of this case … Damien football coaches!
If they truly were punishing and abusing their players for participating in an outside activity, that is grounds for suspension of the coaches. If they were adding racial slurs on top of it, that is grounds for firing.
Damien administration and the ILH should address this issue ASAP and see if this was just cause for this kid and maybe other kids to transfer.
Billy Hull-
For your information just because an IP address is the same it does not mean it is the same person. At my previous employers office we were all wired off of 1 modem; hence we were all connected using the same IP address.
The rule been there before the kid was born… was that way back in the 80’s. He can still play sports… he just can’t play the sports that he participated in the year before at Damien. I’m sure there are other sports at St Louis that he can play and be allowed by the ILH.
Everybody always blames the coaches, always 2 sides to the story. I like hear someone who knows as I know the Damien FB Staff cannnot share due to confidentiality, the real story. If it was what the naysayers are claiming, the FB Staff would at the very least, be reprimanded, let go, etc.. It sounds like from what posters are sharing, Damien HS went through their fact finding process and it’s status quo.
Transfer rules have been in place since the dinosaur days, to curb recruiting among each other. It’s a combination of coaches, parents, and Alumni. Do away with it, and it becomes the Wild, Wild West where anything goes! No forget, they all supposed to be “Scholar Athletes and not just Athletes.
Chicken Grease- Fa’afetai tele lava.
Regarding your question: ”Why would Coaches get upset/mad at their players participating in a program like Hawaii Athletes in Action Foundation?”
Answer: There are many factors, but 2 things come to.surface and ’PRIDE & POWER’ are the problems here. regarding Keoua’s situation. Coach Cal Lee has shared his only concern was STL boys participating in a full pads/contact camp and getting hurt (My hubby shared with Coach Cal that there are RISKS no matter what; if they stay home and train/practice they can get hurt), but at least when they travel with HAIA for our Annual ”I HAVE A DREAM COLLEGE CAMPUS/CAMPS LIFE TOUR” the boys are receiving exposure and getting on the ’college coaches ’RADAR’. Coach Darren Hernandez is a staunch supporter of HAIA as is a handful of.other Coaches. Our mission at HAIA is to ”Empower, Educate and Enrich” the lives of the children/youth who come through our program. HAIA is not just football- our focus is at developing the ’WHOLE’ child; well rounded human beings and cultural arts and community service and giving back to the community as is REQUIRED to be a member of HAIA. My hubby, Ana Sr and I have been serving the kids/youth of Hawaii since 2005 ”FREE OF CHARGE”- where our HAIA kids attend mandatory monthly empowerment workshops for both student athletes and their parents/guardian that address: College 101 roadmap, SAT prep workshops, Financial aid/scholarship application process, NCAA eligibility requirements, Resume building, Cultural arts, 1 on 1 mentoring, and much more. Every single student athlete comes to HAIA as ”boys” and leave our program ”Young Men”. If there is any thing we want the HAIA boys to leave HAIA with are these 2 important factors: GOD FIRST in everything they do and to SERVE OTHERS with all of their hearts.
TOO MEKE: Keoua will fight and earn his playing time-his determination and focus is unreal.
This is so ridiculous. This situation has nothing to do with St. Louis recruiting, Damien ‘bullying’ or even the ILH’s long standing rule. This ultimately comes down to this poor boy’s father and his resentment towards Klaneski since high school. The sad part is that this boy is losing out on what he wants to do because his father has nothing else to do with his time but make false accusations. What he should really do with his time is take anger management classes so he can handle himself like an adult around loved ones and others.
And on another note, I didn’t know we were advertising on here.
Tch. Get over it. All Catholics on that team. In that school, right? Every single one 🙄.
Mrs. Tuiasosopo, faafetai tele ma faamanuia le atua, first of all. You certainly can teach a lot of these football coaches a thing or too in decency and how to think.
You are doing terrific work. Don’t stop your great work. Coaches can be (and are usually) replaced. Let the kids play. Some of these coaches need to be reminded to mentor, cowch, and set a good example instead of thinking that THEY are ones who will suit up for the field whne in their 30s-70s.
This is for the kids!!!! Thanks again, ma’am!
This is the bottom line: when this boy gets on the stand he will let the courts know what he went thru, none of you walk in his shoes and lived thru what he did. As for his father/mother, let’s ask this question: If this was happening to your son/ or daughter what would you do? I’m pretty sure you’ll fight for what is right till the wheels fall
Off. My all due respect to the parents of this young man for standing up for what they believe. This situation is unfortunate and hopefully with a hearing coming soon it can bring resolution and serve justice!! On the brighter note let’s talk about how exciting this season gonna be!! I can’t wait!
GOD BLESS KEOUA AND HIS FAMILY.
aloha, Coach West.
@Anon. 44, thanks for the correction on Herbig. Just wondering how Cal houses the outer island kids? The reason the OPEN league was formulated was to bring ILH and OIA in a more competitive league. Gaison knows that if the ILH recruits from within, the OIA will go back to their league.if you look at Damien and St.Francis rosters, they have big kids. As big as Open team roster. When do they get pushed up? They have able coaching too. If ILH can start transferring between itself, the power would shift back to the ILH. If this kids was projected to start for Damien in his senior year, and there was no threat to expel or kick him off the team, then he had a team. Period. The bullying part, pfft #metoo. Part of growing a pair. Did Stl.coach make contact? Parents? Lots of questions. Talk about bullying, how will his new team mates trust a player who bailed on his other team after 5 years?
Perhaps Damien football (coaching staff) acting like this because they know they going get dershed in this new format. Coach think the Monarchs gotta have military discipline or something. Well. They shouldn’t use colorful language.
Coach. Mentor. Don’t only preach and swear.
Still on the fence about Klaneski. Come on, man up, dude. Ex-Warrior and all. He should remember he was that age too. With football aspirations. Just because he never make NFL no mean he can’t be a mentor for these lads.
If You Know You Know-
On the real. Its just you and your husband Tommy using multiple names. Or just Tommy by himself. LOL.
“Dershed”
Thank you my bruddah for taking me back.
“hooo, us guys when dersh that team from kalakaua”
“those guys bettah not mess or dey going get dershed”
last one,
“chee!!, CoachMike, Fromleftfield, Birdman, Kitty94, and Love2Ball got dershed from Billy Hull”
ILH, I believe Mrs. Tuisosopo. And read the posts—there are those who believe the side of her and the student-athlete also.
These grown men. Trying be the Hawaiian Bear Bryant. No such darn thing. Coach. Mentor. Pau. They want dreams, tell them to write a manuscript; Hollywood might be interested inf their coaching story is so supposedly powerful.
And a court will soon also believe her and the good stiudent. Father Damien and his coaching staff won’t be able to interfere THERE!!!!
Dang, maybe you should explain to everyone how you got your user name. That should be a great story.
Sorry, I didnt know you witnessed every incident cited.
ILH just got “dershed”.
Heh. ILH, well, that’s why a court needs to get involved here since no one (except for you, of course 🤪) sees everything that happened here.
The ILH (organization, not you, haha) and Damien needed to anticipate, in thisbday and age, that legal proceedings might occur in such cases. Ehy, they supposed to be da smaht schools li’dat. Only ends up reminded me of how local civil defense, with all their brainy guys, decorated local soldiers and generals and directors . . . somehow overlooked the possibility of enacting a “false alarm” advisement in the case of a mis-pushed button!
Now a third party (uh. The Court) will hear this case . . . student who really only wants to better himself vs. monolith, known organization. In a very blue U.S. state. Who do you think will prevail?
Who do we think SHOULD prevail? Is ILH’s seeming “rules” more golden than a student-athlete doing his moral best?
So much being discussed and so much being talked about based on pure opinions. So many of the comments seem to be personal attacks on Keoua Kauhi “Let the Bullying Continue” and his parents rather than facts that have been presented in the court documents. I wonder how many leaving comments actually read the entire court document or are just making assumptions. I just like Lua Tuiasosopo needed to take a moment to pray and reflect prior to commenting.
As a parent of a student at Damien who spent much time on campus during practices and games it saddens me to say that I witnessed coaches and staff speaking and behaving in manners that are completely unacceptable and completely goes against Damien’s mission statement. In a recent letter to parents it states “As you know, Damien has a well-earned reputation as a school of excellence, both in the classroom and in co-curricular activities. Our fine staff is committed to teaching as Jesus did and to embracing the values found in the Essential Elements of an Edmund Rice Christian Brother Education.” It is true that Damien has many excellent teachers and great coaches but it is also true that many have not stood by the school’s values or missions.
• Will athletes get yelled at by coaches? YES!
• Is discipline expected when rules are broken? YES! But to what extent?
• Should they be sworn at, belittled or called out by an adult who is in a coaching position? NO!!! NOT IN HIGH SCHOOL and definitely not at a catholic school that prides themselves to be at a higher standard.
• Should they be told to call their fathers in so the coach can lick them too if they have a problem? NO!!!
As ridiculous at it sounds and rather people want to believe it or not it did happen and many people witnessed it. What happened to the part of Damien’s mission statement that states “Damien Memorial School guides young men and women from all walks of life to become responsible, respectful and community-minded citizens?” Parents came together and demanded something be done; I myself attended that meeting and it was a ridiculous to say the least. The majority of it all got swept under the rug, which Damien is well known for doing. They let go of one coach and that one coach was back on the field with in a couple of months. Why would the AD or the school allow such a thing? Because they are not thinking or acting in the best interest of their students or athletes. What were these coaches teaching those athletes when all of this transpiring? That it is alright to break rules and do as you want because you are in a higher position. The hard part about this all is that Damien is a small school and many are afraid to speak out due to fear of being singled out and harassed. Students that are close to the coaches will get involved, pick on and harass teammates with no consequences as well. I have seen and heard my fair share of all of this.
I read a few personal attacks against the parents on here, one was about them drinking and partying at the school. Why is only a portion of the story being spoken about? Why does it not say that the President of Damien as well as B.B. along with the Alumni were the ones putting those gatherings together in the parking lot at the school. Why does it not also say that many of those coaches were present drinking there as well or that the coaches often drink on campus in front of the athletes? Another post I read stated the dad was doing all of this because he resented Coach Klaneski since high school; and what!!! I haven’t liked all of my child’s coaches but it has nothing to do with me liking them or not. It has to do with how they coached them and they lessons they taught them. Who knows… Maybe Coach Klaneski doesn’t like Keoua’s father either and that is a factor on why Keoua was treated the way he was. Who are we to speculate when we are neither of them!
I also read one statement from Cru Sader that specifically said “Poor kid suffers from all those illnesses like anxiety and depression but yet plays football and does all the regular things fine! Like really??? This is just a publicity stunt!” That statement right there is just another form of “Bullying and Harassment” That was a very small minded and uneducated statement to say the least!!! There are many very successful and famous people that suffer or have suffered from anxiety, depression or both that work like the rest of us, raise kids and participate in everyday life. Just because you don’t see it, it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist!!!
The bottom line is things happened that shouldn’t of happened, things were said and done that were not acceptable. The family as well as others reached out to Damien to rectify the situation with no resolve. They are now doing what they feel is in the best interest of their son. If he was my child I would be doing the very same thing! It’s now in the courts hands to sort out and decide.
On one last note… I personally feel for all that is involved in this matter, like I stated before Damien has many excellent teachers and a bunch of great coaches so this situation should in no way take away from all that they do. But changes do need to be made and more accountability needs to be enforced. It is with high hopes that the new Damien Principle will be able to accomplish just that. I would love nothing more than for my child graduate from Damien with their true mission statement at heart!!!
Not to worry. The good people support him and this a matter of his former school possibly complaining to ILH hierarchy, “ehy we los’ our top guy! How HE rate? Why he can go one oddah ILH school play?!” especially now when the Molokai priest school can pretty much get dershed (not the leasr of which by OIA teams; OH the shame! 🙄) in this new scheduling set up.
Catholic way is to be happy for someone departing for whatever reason. And if a Catholic can’t do that, then forgiveness is paramount.
The kid wants to leave. And has a reason. Let him go. Make the exception.
Now the courts have to teach the ILH (that houses Catholic schools) and Damien how to be Catholic. Auwe.
Just because it is stated in the court document, it doesn’t mean it’s true. This is all made up so they can try and get the exemption to play at St. Louis just how the Iolani kid got to play at St. Francis. Cmon, See the light people.
mrs tuiasosopo and concerned dms parent, beautifully said.
Well, the Brits said the colonies’ disposition, proposition, and innovation were all sedition. But what did we end up with? Liberty, freedom, and the best darn place to live on the planet.
Glad you brought up the Iolani-St. Francis situation. Just goes to show how skewered the ILH transfer rule remains (now, how long ago was that very Iolani-St. Francis situation?). Would thing da shmaht schools woule be a little more innovative. Make time to review the rules. They certainly have some naice, purty air conditioned facilities ta do it!
ANY coach reading this wouldn’t play this kid. Colleges ALWAYS ask about the parents. Have fun in D3. Also, he won’t play much at St. Louis. Better if he goes to public school that plays in the open division if he’s looking for exposure. This is what it’s all about. I see this bullshit daily. Too bad his dad is dumb. TRÙTH. Parents who don’t parent are ALWAYS ruining it for everyone.