Punahou LB Talia Vaimaona celebrates after making an interception against Konawaena. | Michael Lasquero

No. 6 Punahou makes it look easy in 35-0 win over No. 10 Konawaena

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED AUGUST 11, 2024

HONOLULU — Sixth-ranked Punahou wasted no time in its 35-0 rout of No. 6 Konawaena Saturday afternoon in a non-league game at Alexander Field.

The Buffanblu did all of their scoring in the first half in their shutout victory with running back Nelson Aau and receiver Zion White each reaching the end zone twice.

Aau, a senior, rushed for 54 yards on 10 carries, which included a 44-yard scamper to give Punahou a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter.

White, a 6-foor-4 sophomore, caught touchdown passes from Hunter Fujikawa and Sean Connell, which both went for 20-yard scoring strikes.

David Hinton also reached pay dirt for the Buffanblu with a 10-yard TD pass from Fujikawa.

Linebacker and Notre Dame-commit Ko’o Kia was instrumental in Punahou’s shutout win, recording a game-high 12 tackles. He also lived in the back field with four tackles for loss while also batting away three passes at the line of scrimmage.

Utah-commit Donte Utu also was solid with a fumble recovery and Talia Vaimaona intercepted a pass to derail a Konawaena possession in the first quarter.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO