Kalaheo Captures OIA Division II Girls Flag Football Title in Thriller Over Kapolei

by | May 6, 2026

In a game that felt fitting for a championship stage, Kalaheo rallied late to defeat previously unbeaten Kapolei, 28-25, to capture the OIA Division II Girls Flag Football championship on Tuesday night.

The Mustangs outscored the Hurricanes 13-7 in the fourth quarter, making just enough plays down the stretch to secure not only the school’s first football league championship — flag or tackle — but also a historic milestone for the program in only the second year of girls flag football in Hawai‘i.

Because the inaugural 2025 season featured just one division, Kalaheo officially becomes the first-ever OIA Division II girls flag football champion.

Kapolei entered the title game undefeated and looked every bit the part early behind quarterback Taimane Amisone, who threw for 281 yards and four touchdowns. But Kalaheo answered every challenge in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately came down to composure in the final minutes.

“Our girls really deserve this, they worked really hard for this,” Kalaheo head coach Jaymason Lee said after the game. “They’re a really good team. They’re the number one ranked undefeated team. So we knew we had to play our football. We couldn’t let the moment get too big for us.”

Kapolei struck first in the second quarter on a 23-yard touchdown pass from Amisone to Kaylyce Kauwe before Kalaheo answered less than 90 seconds later with a 37-yard touchdown connection from Jourdyn Kekauoha-Viena to Kamaile Hassett.

The offensive fireworks continued throughout the night.

Amisone connected twice with Infinitiz Galeano-Soares for touchdowns, while Ziah-Lei Mullen-Cummings also hauled in a scoring pass for Kapolei. Kauwe finished with a game-high 10 receptions for 110 yards and a touchdown in the loss.

Kalaheo countered with balance and clutch execution.

Quarterback Elizabeth Kennedy, who was named the Fun Factory VIP of the Game, threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for another score. Kekauoha-Viena added a touchdown pass and caught 10 passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns in a dynamic all-around performance.

Dalanie Stroney added five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown for the Mustangs.

“It feels amazing,” Kennedy said. “Our team is well deserved. We worked so hard for this. We worked all season for this, but it’s not over yet. We still get states.”

After Kapolei took a 25-21 lead midway through the fourth quarter on Galeano-Soares’ third touchdown reception of the night, Kalaheo responded with the defining drive of the season.

Kennedy found Kekauoha-Viena for a 35-yard touchdown strike with 11:22 remaining to reclaim the lead at 28-25. The Mustangs defense then delivered several key stops late to hold off the Hurricanes.

Kalaheo’s defense tightened after halftime, led by Bryn Ayling’s nine pulls and Samantha Love’s eight pulls and interception. Kennedy also contributed an interception defensively in a complete two-way effort.

“We didn’t let it get in our heads,” Kennedy said. “We executed everything perfectly and towards the end we really worked for it.”

For Kennedy, the championship carried even deeper meaning.

After missing last season while recovering from ACL surgery, the senior returned to help lead Kalaheo to a historic title run.

“It’s 12 months of physical therapy,” Kennedy said. “But I finally got back to playing this sport I really love.”

Now, the Mustangs head into the state tournament carrying momentum, belief, and a piece of school history no Kalaheo football team has ever claimed before.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO & DANIEL FUJITA