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.
Say. Are these the same the type of coaches who let Jameis Winston play? The same ones who only let Marcus M. really play in his final year?
Wow. “These” coaches sure know a lot. 🙄
Did you miss the part about which colleges are interested in Keoua? Go, go look. I wait. He’s gonna end up someplace good. He just wants to do it as fairly (to himself, at least) as he can. Too bad you don’t see that as seemingly efficiently as you see the . . . what did you say? Sigh. More curse words. THAT’s always effective 🙄
why didn’t the family get this transfer rule cleared up before considering a transfer to St. Louis. Did they receive false promises from the staff of St. louis that it would all be OK and the boy would be cleared to play. If they did, I feel they put themselves in a situation they are in now.
As for Damien being sour in losing a good RB in Kauhi. I was able to witness Damien in a couple of games this summer and they have a really talented RB that came up from the intermediate squad. Could this also be a reason for a transfer.
l always thought this rule was in effect because it would protect schools from losing star players from being baited to transferring to another high school. i’m not saying that this is the situation in this case. but …. part of building character is making the best with the cards you end up with…just saying!
Hey Jus sayin …l not replying to you,
i was just saying,,,
@Chicken Grease…
There’s a YUUUUUUUUGE difference between Winston and this kid… YUUUUUUUUGE. Compare apples to apples…not watermelons to sunflower seeds.
“He’s gonna end up someplace good.” That’s a RELATIVE statement. Any place that any one can get a free ride for education is “someplace good.” But all this drama will most likely reduce his options when it comes to someplace REALLY good.
Just sayin’.
@Chicken Grease – obviously new here. I’m RRFL…so you response to my “haterade” comment is LMAO hilarious.
@Lua re: “his determination and focus is unreal”…aren’t they all??? So that basically lumps him in with the REST OF THE TEAM…again, I defer back to my original statement.
All I know is da rules have been in place for YEARS. Now everybody like sue and make exceptions. Maybe Kahuku should sue and retroactively reclaim the title they ‘lost’ due to an ineligible 3rd stringer who played mop-up duty many years ago…we all know they would’ve won…same year they killed St LuLu during regular season.
When we start making exceptions, when do those exceptions stop??? They don’t. Duh.
“New”? I know how how to blockquote. Not new, here, TooMeke. Pay attention instead of figuring out what millennial acronyms to use.
Yeah, of course, there’s a “yuge” (geez. You have enough “u”’s in your expression. Me thinkest dost hide thy ability to think up something clever with thy extended “u” use) difference between Jameis and Keoua. I clearly mention the coaching angle.
Pay attention. Instead of contriving—it’s noticeable.
This case was brought to light because a kid transferred to another school after 3 years of issues with a named group and his school did nothing to fix the problem but still wants to play ball. There is comment after comment on here that bashes this poor kid just as bad if not more than the reasons for this case. Why would any mature adult wan to bash a kid by making negitive comments on his character, talent and drive? Would any of them want it done to their child? It’s easy say he should man up or when he goes to college its going to be worse but he is not a man and he is still in high school! High school teaches you how to be a man and how to succeed in life, its not supposed to break you down even before becoming a man. Easy to make the comment but would you really allow anyone to treat your child in that manner. Let’s all be adults here; give your opinion, make your comments but leave the personal crap out.
@ILH-
On the real. LMAO. You really don’t know much at all. It’s amusing to me how personal all of your comments and responses are! They are so full of negitivity and uglyness! Are you lacking love? Do you need a hug or two? And to clear things up for you I don’t even know a Tommy so I am definitely not his wife; in fact I think my husband would not like that statement at all. I am just someone trying to give a little knowledge on IP addresses. I will pray that gods helps with all your negitivity and puts some love in your heart! 🙏🏻❤️
Because the reason why is one sided and typically a he said/they said event I look at the facts as we know it. They don’t paint a strong case for the kid. One, he transferred to St. Louis. Now we know St.Louis wouldn’t take a third string RB from Damien, this kid must be legit. Also, if he wanted to transfer to say Maryknoll and play for Pac-Five, this story would not have gained so much traction. Second, if the story about the abuse was true, this story would have come to light sooner as it was a group of players who bore the brunt of the abuse in front of the rest of the team. Not saying he is making the story up, but he may be bringing it up to make his case more favorable in court. Now if the story of the abuse is true and he wanted to leave Damien, he could have gone to an OIA school and not have to sit out this year. Sounds like someone gave him some bad advise. He should have gotten the fact regarding the transfer rule BEFORE transferring.
Lowtone123, that coaches got upset at these student-athletes regarding attendance at Hawaii Athletes in Action Foundation (these coaches aren’t denying this, seemingly) speaks volumes already.
I mean. Why get mad at something like that. And you have a feelindg that coaches KNEW those players would attend that. Contrived!
And the abuse angle? Verified or sound recording will be the ultimate judge.
Going to StL as a RB means less touches and yards for this transfer….
“I know how to blockquote” BAAAAHHAHAHAHAHAAAAAA….
Who doesn’t???????? More to the point…who cares??????????
Duh.
@Chicken Grease,
HAAF doesn’ t come before the player’s school’s commitments. What’s not being said is that the player missed his school practices. Honestly, as high school coaches, are they supposed to just sit back and let everybody not fulfill their commitments. Also, when a player has an unexcused absence from practice, there are ramifications that ALL parties understand. For example, a team may state that 2 unexcused absences will result in a player not playing in a game. Another example is if a player has an unexcused absence on game day or Friday before a game, that player doesn’t play. If a key player misses multiple practices where the team depends on him so that they can run certain plays, the team is unable to practice as effectively as they can. Nuances such as timing or even knowing your teammates tendencies so a player can make adjustments are lost. Players missing practice, affect the overall dynamic of a team. Without certain players practicing, the team is regulated to gameplay that is not played to its full potential. High school kids don’t see this. It’s up to parents and coaches to explain accountability and the economics of their actions. If this player is true to his word, his teammates will rally around him. Especially those who have graduated and have nothing to lose.
Athletic Director, considering all that you’re saying in your post, the only question remains: if Keoua missed SO many practices, why wasn’t he simply licked off the team?
Athletes—more than a baker, lawyer, fireman, fellow student, physician, janitor, housewife, entrepeneur, etc.—know more than anyone else the consequences of missing practice. Seems Damien allowed him to miss practice, then, if they couldn’t discipline him correctly (no, racial slurs don’t count). They didn’t discipline him properly. Why (we both know the answer)? It’s Damien’s shibai and now they run to father ILH Zeus—NOW all of sudden there is foul play? Not credible.
Maybe ILH think they have total control is their problem. Like I tried to express earlier—supposedly shmaht schools. Apparent not-so-smart moves when it comes to sensible transfer guidelines. If an ILH high/gifted academic-based kid wants to switch schools within the private school system, he or she don’t have to wait out a year. So why is it discriminatory for an athlete?
Jealousy? Sour grapes? “How he rate?”? Sure seems like it.
In the court’s hands now. Good job, shmaht schools.
Heheh. That would be KICKED off the team. Not “licked.”
Chicken Grease,
The Athletes you refer to are High School Student Athletes. Last I checked, most high school student athletes are children. Most children cannot appreciate the depth of their consequences. You compared high school students to some professions that REQUIRE responsible judgement. That being said, I am able to infer that you haven’t attended college and don’t know what is required of these professions.
You state that Damien should have SIMPLY kicked him off the team. Were Kauhi’s offenses warranted removal from the team. Maybe. Damien let him stay on the team and compete. Obviously, your choice to SIMPLY kick him off the team exposes you as someone who watches from the stands and doesn’t care about the athletes’ well being. Many athletes attended the same camp and and performed the missed conditioning. I’m sorry if he became emotionally distraught by the coache(s) yelling at him but trying to take down an entire football program using that defense may not bode well for him moving forward. It’s pretty selfish to to not take into account what happens to Damien Memorial School if the football staff is replaced. For now, Damien football is performing well. That, in turn, causes stability if not an increase in enrollment. A Damien football team that doesn’t perform well, in the past, has seen a 30% decrease in enrollment. A 30% decrease is enough to shut a school down. From my understanding, his father is a PROUD Alumnus of Damien. In essence, he is basically trying to shut the school down due to a 24 year old gripe with Klaneski in high school. If I’m not mistaken, I believe the school’s motto is Viriliter Age, which at one time meant to Act Manfully. Maybe this is his father’s interpretation of what it is to Act Manfully. Where’s all the Alumni backing up this parent? There are none. Why? Kauhi is destroying his Alma Mater. It’s pretty easy logic. You’re welcome.
Hahahaha. So dumb athletic director. Logic. Dis not one puzzle. Frick, if I went graduate from Damien I would send my son to crusader. Mo bettah. Chickengrease No lissen to dis guy. He just think he smart because he can write long. Dummay
Heh. Oh I graduated from university, sir. Full ride. For both degrees 😊. But you probably think it “good argumentative strategy” to accuse, “ehy you never go college ‘cause you dunno dis!”
Children, yes, of course. We can agree on that. I simply said that student-athletes surely understand the consequences of missing or being late to practice (where did I say only pee wee or little league or intermediate or high school or big leagues?). That constitutes one of the first LESSONS you learn from sports—be on time or else there will be consequences.
And correct me if I’m wrong—but I don’t see you outright condemning the use of racial slurs or curse words (yes, you DID write the full version of the “b that ends with a t” word earlier,now, didn’t you?) by coaches (doesn’t matter if a coach ever said it; do you or do you not condemn the use of racial slurs and curse words toward athletes, especially STUDENT-athletes? Gonna be interested to see how you write around trying to answer THAT one) like how the good people here in this discussion are doing. Talk about simple logic. Come on. Condemn both like how the rest of us are doing. Or do you really think that use of both is part of “good coaching techniques”?
What else here? Oh, yeah, my reference to “why didn’t Damien kick Keoua off the team” after missing so many practices? Sigh. Gotta spell it ut for you (even though you, yeah, probably realize it—they didn’t have the guts to do so as much as they overlooked disciplining him properly; because if they did, a student athlete like Keoua would have accepted that as fair. Cursing and racial slurs by a coach, however? NOT fair. NOT sports).
Lastly, “BE CATHOLIC” should be the motto of EVERY Catholic school. I mean, the whole “manfully” thing? Don’t look now . . . but Damien Memorial has started admitting females.
Or did you manage to overlook that, too?
Chicken Grease,
Here’s a list so you don’t confuse what we disagree on:
1) The athletes discussed in the thread are children and you compared them to adult professions; discrediting these adult professions.
2) The consequences you list are superficial. I clearly stated DEPTH of CONSEQUENCES
3) I don’t condone using racial slurs towards anyone nor do I condone curse words to CHILDREN. I apologize for cursing. I didn’t know you were a 17 year old double major college graduate.
4) “didn’t have the guts to do so as much as they overlooked disciplining him properly” – We apparently disagree on the course of discipline. Your all or nothing approach for the offense doesn’t belong in athletics.
5) I’m assuming you state that Kauhi would accept removal from the team as fair. Hahaha. I want to hear people’s opinion on this statement.
6) Too bad you need an explanation of me referring to his father as an alumnus during a time where the motto reflected “Act Manfully”. I am fully aware that Damien has girls and the motto means to “Act Courageously”.
Next time read carefully. I’m tired of dismantling your asenine argumentation. Football is a very dangerous sport. Tell me which directive appeals to you and will offer the most protection: 1) Please don’t put your head down when tackling or you risk serious injury to your cervical spine. 2) Don’t put your head down when tackling because you can break your F’ing NECK (I’d spell it out for you but I know you’re a smart guy/woman. Double major and all. ) Urgency is needed in such a dangerous sport. Sometimes curse words add emphasis to what coaches are trying to convey. If you want to play a sport that isn’t urgent, play some untimed chess. Cursing happens.
Chicken Grease,
Your statement of “Be Catholic” proves you are very unaware of the demographics within each school. It is not a requirement to be Catholic to attend Catholic Schools, but if you just want to be broad and not define anything you should suggest “Be Breathing”
Heh. Yeah. So “fully aware” that you didn’t mention the new motto. They started admitting female students from 2012! If what Keoua is is not courageous, then you and other detractors are fully missing the point. And by the way . . . the only “grudge” that has to do in this situation? Probably confined, quite actually, by students within the walls of that Houghtailing Street school and patronized by those who will laugh about it at their high school reunion many years from now. Grudges between men? My word. How unmanfully (and fake).
And this . . .
. . . contradicts THIS:
So YOU read more carefully (your own sentiments for starters). Adds “emphasis” huh? Gotcha. What about racial epithets? Is that the cherry on top?
Wasn’t it Hemingway that said “the truth has a certain ring to it”? Well. I don’t seem to hear that ring coming from South Beretania street. ESPECIALLY when the IHL has had enough time to go over their rules and reconsider—ANY organization worth their weight in brains (and I keep saying, dis supposes to be da shmaht schools) constantly review their ways and means and rules. WHAT happened here? Whatever this rule is, it’s NOT helping this student-athlete and, therefore, is somewhat of a worthless rule. And, yes, I agree, if more student-athletes start patronizing this kind of exception in a similar situation, we shouldn’t look it as abuse (nor innuendoes and “oh dat gotta be one 200 yea’ grudge agains’ coach!”). We should look at it as how the rule must be tweaked.
Realistically, normally, not every—not many—student-athletes will want to get such an exemption (the need to be individual is more crucial than finding GOLD for ANY high school student. Trust me on this!).
We’re talking about this one kid who wants to transfer for the right reasons. He may be jeopardizing his future college career (if it even happens) by doing so. Read between the lines—throughout all of the coaching-adult-me wanna be the high school Bear Bryant talk, this kid (indeed, this child as you say, AD) simply wants to do the right thing.
I’m willing to respect the court’s decision on this. Hope certain detractors are manfully AND courageously capable of doing the same.
Kid should just transfer to CASTLE, and rep his home town.
If he legit he will get his yards and touches,
get a good social media & media team to put together a solid recruiting video and then attend every and all camps and try outs.
All this extra, hu hu, is lose money, BALL OUT YOUNG MAN! St. Louis or Castle, you Legit they will find you…just gotta do the extra work like I stated if its at a smaller lower profile school.
Omfg. You need everything spelled out for you. Additional info of what the motto is now and the acknowledgment that there are now girls is unnecessary. Where are his teammates to back up his assertions? Where? I just need one verifiable teammate.
How about you put the entire text to point out my contradiction? For example, one may not condone the use of guns by the general public but if a perpetrator is shot by another ordinary citizen due to an armed robbery where harm was imminent, one could be flexible in acknowledging that it was ok for the citizen to shoot the robber. In your case, you would find fault with the citizen trying to defend himself. It’s the dummies like you that say,” Why didn’t he just call the cops?”. Or “Why didn’t he just hide?”. It’s all about context but you’re just piecemealing for the sake of arguing. You, obviously, have never played competitive sports. Just continue to sit in the stands and think what you know about high school sports.
Athletic Directir
Lemme buy you a beer. 🤷♂️ I got you. Lol
1. The rules are in place and should be followed.
2. If you don’t like the rules, do something to enable changes.
3. Many of you think just because something is written in a lawsuit, it actually happened exactly as written.
4. I’m pretty certain the lawsuit is based on some precedent and some of the alleged occurrences likely have been sensationalized or even manufactured to support the suit. Every lawyer twists the story or presents a picture in order to win their case. It doesn’t mean its the truth, either way. I’m sure any lawyer retained by Damien will do the same.
5. Everyone that says “Let the kids play” knows they can play, as long as they follow the rules. This player, likely under the guidance of his parents, didn’t follow team rules based on my understanding.
6. Damien’s Staff should face some form of punishment if they are found to have done something illegal or against school policy. If this is personal between parents and coaches, then that is what it is and very little will come from this.
7. I think we are making our country weak by taking actions that the parents of the player did…if I can’t get my way, I’m gonna sue.
8. This is not about education, its about playing football. If it were about education, there would be no lawsuit because the player can continue his education at St. Louis without playing ball.
9. St. Louis recruits players and player parents try to get their kids into St. Louis athletics. This also happens at Kahuku, Punahou, Kapolei, Kailua….and many schools….in football, baseball, basketball, and other sports.
10. Those who just want to see the best football players, how about starting a high school age football league so players can play club football between 14-18 instead of playing for their school. Then they could play wherever they wanted as long as they were good enough to make the team. No GPA requirements, no transfer rules, just football. It would hurt high school football, but would make some of you very happy.
11. I wish the player worked things out with the Damien coaching staff. In this case, the player and the Damien football team lose. I hope the player gets a great scholarship and plays DI football….but wonder what the parents will do if their son is riding the pine or gets yelled at and embarrassed in college. Will they retain a lawyer then too?
12. Someone said in a previous post that college recruiters look at parents….and this is absolutely correct, so I hope the player’s future isn’t being hurt by the lawsuit.
13. Parents, do what you think is best for your child, but check your agenda to see if it is really for the good of your child, or because of your ego.
14. These are all my opinions, and you all have your own…many conflicting. In the end, football will be played this season, but the player has slim odds of playing. That everyone, is a pity.
Sports Parent . . . think we can summarize your lengthy statement with the following: “stay stagnant. Never question. Just sit there and take it.”
Glad you’re not MY parent (and, no, my parents ain’t 1960s flower children. They simply taught me to survive, succeed, and thrive).
And you need a reminder—this DOES include education. These student athletes make the grade. Or else no play.
@ Chicken Grease & Athletic Director
Can you guys get a room??? Lol
Frekka St. Louis no run the ball at all! So it’s the obvious that the kid never choose St. Louis become an All State RB. Maybe he just like WIN a State Title.
Very good points from Athletic Director and Sports Parent. Kauhi did not transfer to StL. for the education. Castle has a very good coach in ST.LOUIS great, John Hao. They also have a top notch DRAMA department.
Chicken Grease…yes, and I am glad you are not my child. If you were, you would have been raised differently, and you probably would be more respectful of rules and regulations. Even though you missed some of the points I made, I’m happy to see you have an opinion.
I encourage questions and challenges, and I get them often at work from the younger employees under my supervision. if one of them asks me why they cannot come in 15 minutes late each day for a week, I explain that there are rules in place to do that. If they don’t follow the rules, then corrective action is taken (without racial slurs). Yes, I am sure some of them wanted to sue me and the company for not allowing them to take those 15 minutes the way they wanted, but nobody has yet, lol.
I do not believe any of my comments indicated Keoua should sit there and take it, but to take this to court for the specific intent of getting to play sports for Saint Louis when there is a long-standing and clear rule is really an indication of today’s society. As I previously stated, if the rule is bad, then more people need to take action to change it. We have too many parents demanding participation trophies, equal playing time, and interfering with coaching. I see those parents every weekend during the year at my son’s sporting events and I bet, if you have kids that play sports, you see them too. I believe one can follow the rules, survive, have success, and thrive with dignity and respect.
None of us have all the facts, but based on the speculation, I would say this has come down to a conflict between Keoua’s parents and the Damien coaching staff, which ultimately hurts the player and the team.
As for this being about education, I think you missed my point. Some of the comments I read talk about the lawsuit being about Keoua’s education, and not about football. I think we all know the reason for the lawsuit is to play football this year at St. Louis, not about Keoua’s ability to get an education. Nobody is stopping him from applying to any school and completing his high school education.
Keoua, I hope things work out for you. Not being able to participate in your senior athletics seasons has to be tough on your spirit. Many of us hope you make the best of the circumstances.
Coach A…Drama Department!!! You got a chuckle out of me for that one.
Hehe. I’d rather be that than someone who can’t see beyond his baseball cap, whistle, and playing. But I’m being too generous expressing even THAT to you—based on your logic, can someone who has a mortgage not make his or her payments if they don’t work for the bank or graduated with a business degree? Talk about “asinine”.
And with your colorful “Omfg”, do you really expect us to believe that you’re an athletic director anyway? Talk about “in the stands.”
In any case, be sure to come back once the court decision is made. Competitive DOES include fairness, no? Or at least courage (you DID mention that as a particular school’s current motto, didn’t you?)
Mrs Tuiasosopo, you claim that 2 reasons coaches may get mad at players for participating in the HAIA is because of Pride & Power…. let’s be realistic here. The timing of when the HAIA camp takes place is in the middle of summer, a time where teams are starting to develop their cohesiveness and rhytym with each other. Every person who is and has been a part of the game knows timing is everything. So you are going to post on here claiming that the coaches were upset because of pride and power? When you know the truth is nothing like that. Stop trying to spread out rumors and lies. A coaches job is to win football games. It’s hard to do that when 5+ of starters on your team are missing 2 weeks of practice.
Not to mention, just because the lawsuit “ claims “ racial slurs occurred, does not mean they actual did. This kid is trying to win his case, so the lawyer has to try everything in the book to do so, even if that means stretching things out of context.
So just because something is said through one persons side, does not mean it is true.
Btw, he wasn’t the only HAIA kid from Damien. Go ask his teammates last year, any one of them, about this situation and if he was belittled. That would give you some truth.
Chicken Grease,
How about you look up what the definition of CONTEXT and tattoo it to your arm because either you keep forgetting to keep your comments within the CONTEXT of the conversation or your simple mindedness prevents you higher level thinking?
OMFG, are you so stupid that you think my username would reflect my profession. If you follow your own stupid logic, go make me a 20piece box of fried chicken.
This is what will happen in court (I suggest you read the court document before you open your uneducated mouth):
1) The judge will rule in favor of the defendants.
2) The judge will explain the judgement to the plaintiffs.
3) The judge will reprimand the plaintiffs for wasting everyone’s time and point out the self serving nature of the lawsuit
4) Kauhi goes to Castle.
Next time you address me. Please keep your comments within the context of the conversation. If you’re going to dispute me, dispute me in the context of my argument. Also, stop it with the,”Teacher, Athletic Director said a bad word!” SCHTICK. The whole world knows you’re the douche of your class.
Finally, you confuse COURAGE with talking out of your ass! It is not COURAGEOUS to file lawsuits under false pretenses.
Events (especially clinics) like this happen all year long.
You know who which student-athletes get to go to these without repercussions from coaching staff (indeed, even sent off with a smile)? The ones the coaches “like” O.K.? So even in this day and age, coaches play favorites.
The ones leaned on? The ones BLAMED unnecessarily for attending these? Answer: the ones who apparently want to better themselves.
So-called AD. Sigh. There’s no learnin’ ya!
Just wait for the court ruling. You are really going off on tangents, now. So just wait for the court ruling. I am man enough to accept the decision. I don’t see you saying the same. So be truly brave. Try it. Say it with me: you’ll respect the court ruling.
Chicken Grease,
I will always respect the courts decision. I’ll be back after the ruling. We’ll see how “man” you are when the ruling is delivered. In the meantime. Read the court document. If you don’t understand it, which is highly likely, ask for help. Even better, go to a playground, and ask a 6 year old for help in comprehending the court document. You don’t have to be a lawyer to see the ridiculousness of the lawsuit.
No for real Sport Parent. The great Charles Bright was a legend Drama Teacher. Castle was always known for great plays. Like Waianae is known for Media Productions. Just saying because people believe public school is junk. It’s up to you.
AD. Did you, uh, miss the part about possible U.S. Constitutional Amendment violations. Not one, but two!
Notice how my comments are getting shorter and shorter to you? There’s no learnin’ ya!
Great. You said it—you have shown you can follow instructions, yay! Now all you have to do is keep your word: be back here after the ruling.
It is sad that you and others seem to lose sight of how all Keoua wants to do is play fair. Wish coaches could do the same as much as student-athletes (especially those in Hawaii) do.
If the OIA could make an unpopular decision to disqualify the Kahuku 2010 State Champs, on a 3rd string player, then the ILH should fix this small problem. Up to 55 players and families were impacted. And NO lawsuit??
Chicken Grease,
Can you tell me how the ILH violated his right to stay silent and not incriminate himself? Also, can you tel me how the ILH violated his right to due process? Just asking for your interpretation. Don’t intimidate yourself with big words like Constitution and Amendment! They’re your friends if you understand them well enough.
Coach A, I think you mean Ron Bright. I actually saw some of his work at the theater named after him at Castle. I was laughing because I thought it had a double meaning in this case. You are right though, I believe Castle continues to have a top notch drama program.
Chicken grease, obviously you don’t know much about the Damien coaching staff, because like you said about the ones who “ go without receiving repercussions “ are the ones the coaches “ like “. Well if you knew all the information, you would know that there are no favorites with that staff, and that all kids who attended the 2 week trip, and missed the 2 weeks of practice, all were disciplined for missing 2 weeks of practice. No one was exempted like other schools may do with their top players.
You mentioned that those type of events happen year round, yes they do. That’s not what we are talking about though. We are talking about a two week camp that happens in the middle of summer.
The ones BLAMED? No one is blamed. The kids are just making up for the practices they missed. It’s really simple. Learn the whole story.
I hope this website has blocked the IP address of Rex Kamakana who’s posted under THE REAL DEAL, Big Dog, or Infidel. All he’ll do is post his love of Donald Trump and hatred of Barack Obama.
True ILH, to respond to you, I asked Mrs. Tuiasosopo why coaching staff would be upset at players attending a program as the one in question. She answered. So go read that (scroll up). All the answers you seek are there (and she should write a book about this situation when all is said and done. She got skills).
And in all of your defense of the staff, above, not once are you seemingly inclined to mention/offer to specify, “there is no WAY that staffed cursed or used racial slurs” (do you think either should be used when coaching children [Athletic Director made the distinction—they’re children. Hey. Go ask him]).
Kid wants to transfer. TO ANOTHER CATHOLIC SCHOOL, NO LESS. The Catholic way is to help that person transfer (and while that school might be filled with Buddhists, Atheists, and other non-Catholics, in addition to, yes, Catholics, their directives and direction better darn WELL bw Catholic-based!!!). Why is that NOT happening? Why aren’t THEY visibly lobbying on behalf of Keoua to help out with the exception? Wanna ask Damien staff? You seem to know them more than I do.
First time poster, long time reader. Always wanted to post comments on other articles but never have, just couldn’t resist this one. Let me start with, I have no dog in this race, just want to give a totally objective point of view. There are only two issues here at hand and they are totally independent of one another. First, there is the issue of improper behavior on the part of the Damien coaching staff ie…harassment/bullying towards Keoua. I, in no way, condone this type of behavior and would have no problem with a full investigation into the matter with disciplinary actions if warranted. However, this issue has nothing at all to do with the ILH transfer rule. Every high school and college league in the country has a transfer rule. I don’t think I need to get too deep into why these rules are in place but they are totally necessary and should be enforced so as to keep the competitive nature and balance of power of any league in order. From reading previous comments it sounds like the ILH has made exceptions to this rule in the past and that is the basis of Keoua’s argument. I agree that if this was the robotics or chess team this wouldn’t be an issue and the kid wouldn’t have to sit out a year. Is this fair? No. Is life fair? No. As for the aforementioned exceptions to this rule, they are exactly that, exceptions, not the norm. Again, life is not always fair. As a parent of student athletes myself, I would not risk the eligibility of my kids with just the expectation of being the exception to the rule, rather than the norm. I think the kid has received some bad advice and I feel for him, but in no way should he not have to follow the rules. DeLoura followed the rules and sat out a year and I think it will work out well for him. He seems to be a very special player and transferring to Saint Louis will give him way more exposure. I understand the logic of these patents in regards to transferring but there is a right way and a wrong way. Unfortunately Keoua doesn’t have the luxury of sitting out the year because he is a senior. I hope this kid gets a chance at an OIA school and shines. I think we can all agree that it would be a shame if his prep career was over. JMHO!!! No dog in this race.
Yes, life is not fair—but that’s why, at least in the U.S., we have the Constitution and The Bill of Rights.
Once complaints start getting into U.S. Constitutional violations, like it or not (even as blue a state Hawaii is), the violators in question had BETTER start worrying, especially if they want to win the case.
It’s the 5th and 14th Amendments that are possibly (being VERY conservative using “possibly”) being violated here. These Amendments are not only about, say, the right to remain silent (people shouldn’t educate themselves on the legal system by watching Law and Order reruns). Obviously (for an American) this ILH rule should not be able to trump the Constitution—Keoua certainly has a case where his very liberty (not being able to play and to be freed from the tyranny by a definite authority in his sphere. For starters. And to not be able to play in a SENIOR year? Does THAT make any sense?) is being deprived.
In short, it’s about “ILH-rule-that-should-have-been-reviewed-on-a-regular-basis” vs. guaranteed Constitutional rights. What do we do if a student-athlete has to sit out a year and that next year is his or her FINAL year? Exceptions are made all the time within institutions. Keoua just wants an exception; the ILH could have granted (again, we’re talking about his Senior year). And look now. Because the ILH wanted to play immovable gatekeeper, they now have U.S. Constitutional problems.
Subjecting a student-athlete, in this case,to a rule that hardly agrees with the 5th and 14th Amendments? Sure sounds like deprivation of, at least, Liberty in this great country.
Chicken Grease,
That was the longest post about nothing I’ve read in this thread. Did you learn how to write at “university”! GTFOH
?
Heh. Exactly. You don’t know! “?” indeed.
If you don’t know how to read, that’s your problem. I’m not the one who has to resort to using slang initials in my writing.
We’ll see who maintains his composure when the ruling comes out!
Chicken grease really doesn’t know what he is talking about. Tries to sound smart with a simple problem. These rules were set in stone for a reason. Obviously Keoua did not get granted an exception because he lacked evidence, and word of mouth is not evidence, Mrs Tuiasasopo’s word of mouth is not evidence. You are living a thin line saying this and that when there is no hard evidence. You forget what world we live in.
I don’t at all feel sorry for the kid, because at the end of the day, when you miss practice you will be disciplined, these coaches were preparing him for the next level. If you think you can have this behavior at the next level and get away with it….. what’re you going to do, sue the college he’s at for the same reasons?
Learn the full story! Blind leading the blind in these comments.