Moanalua Ends Decades-Long Wait, Stuns Punahou for Division I Boys Volleyball State Title
The Koa Head trophy belongs to the OIA once again.
For the first time since Roosevelt won the Boys Volleyball State Championship in 1979, an OIA program has captured Hawai‘i’s top boys volleyball crown and it was Moanalua that delivered the breakthrough.
The unbeaten Na Menehune rallied past defending champion Punahou School in five sets Saturday night, 14-25, 25-18, 18-25, 25-19, 15-13, to complete a perfect 16-0 season.
The victory snapped decades of ILH dominance in the sport, with Punahou, Kamehameha and ‘Iolani combining to win nearly every championship since Roosevelt’s title run in the late 1970s.
Photo Credit: Brian Bautista
Punahou controlled the opening set behind a powerful attack led by Cameron Porter, who finished with a match-high 25 kills. The Buffanblu rolled to a 25-14 win and later reclaimed momentum with a 25-18 third-set victory to move within one set of another state title.
But Moanalua responded every time.
Na Menehune evened the match in the second set behind strong play from Jarryn McCutcheon, Puka Tauane and Jerome Obrero before delivering their biggest stretch of the night in the fourth. McCutcheon repeatedly found openings in the Punahou defense while Colby Kawaa added two key service aces to help force a decisive fifth set.
The championship set ultimately belonged to Lionel Gannon.
The senior erupted early in the fifth, powering Moanalua to an 8-4 advantage with a string of kills that shifted momentum permanently toward Na Menehune. Punahou later rallied within 14-13, but Moanalua closed the match when Kawaa connected with McCutcheon for the championship-winning kill.
McCutcheon and Gannon led Moanalua with 18 kills each, while Tauane added nine kills. Kawaa finished with 30 assists and two aces in the title-clinching performance.
For Punahou, Porter’s 25 kills paced all players while Tanoaalofa Scanlan added 16 kills and Kanalu Akana totaled 49 assists.
After nearly five decades, the Division I boys volleyball Koa Head trophy belongs to the OIA.
PHOTOS BY BRIAN BAUTISTA
Pacific wing Kellen Hampton heading to Hawai’i after hitting portal
HONOLULU – Would you believe that Hawai’i football dished out an assist for the men’s basketball team? Former Pacific forward Kellen Hampton became the latest fresh face to announce intentions to join the University of Hawai’i men’s...
Hawai’i secures outright title with special Senior Night against CSUN
HONOLULU – Charlie Wade had decided weeks prior, but Saturday’s regular season finale for the University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team presented a rare opportunity for the veteran head coach to change course from his usual choices. In the midst...
Utah Tech sharpshooter Chance Trujillo chooses Hawai’i as home
HONOLULU – The Beehive State continues to be sweet like honey to Hawai’i. Former Utah Tech redshirt freshman Chance Trujillo announced his commitment to the University of Hawai’i men’s basketball program on Friday, joining the wave of...
Hawai’i clinches share of Big West title after domination of CSUN
HONOLULU – Championship charge. The No. 2-ranked University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team claimed at least a share of the 2026 Big West regular season title on Friday, cruising through a sweep of No. 18 Cal State Northridge (12-13, 0-9 Big West)...
Hawai’i snags Seattle University sophomore big man out of transfer portal
HONOLULU – It’s the biggest add yet. No, literally. The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team made its fourth addition of the portal cycle on Tuesday as former Seattle University forward/center Houran Dan announced his commitment to the...
Chargers Rally on Senior Day, Hold Off Kaiser 13-10
Senior Day at Pearl City delivered exactly the kind of energy you’d expect — emotion, big swings, and a little late-game drama — as the Chargers outlasted Kaiser, 13-10, in a back-and-forth battle. Pearl City jumped early and built just enough...
Hawai’i Pacific reels in former Baylor, Northern Iowa big man Marino Dubravcic
HONOLULU – Making friends in the front court. The Hawaii Pacific University men’s basketball team went back to the Division I ranks to help replenish the roster on Thursday, picking up the commitment of 6-foot-10 forward Marino Dubravčić out of the...
Hawai’i adds former Northern Arizona leading scorer Zack Davidson from portal
HONOLULU – Relationships matter. Former Northern Arizona forward Zack Davidson announced his commitment to the University of Hawai’i on Thursday, adding another talented scorer to the 2026-27 roster for the Rainbow Warriors. Davidson, a 6-foot-9...
Nanakuli Outlasts Radford in Undefeated Showdown, 9-8
In a long-awaited clash between two of the OIA Division II’s top teams, Nanakuli finally got its shot at Radford—and made it count. The Golden Hawks edged the Rams 9-8 on Wednesday afternoon, handing Radford its first loss of the season in a game...
Hawai‘i Class of 2026 Student-Athletes Celebrate NLI Signing Day at Elks Lodge
Honolulu’s oceanfront served as the backdrop for a special milestone moment on Wednesday morning, as over 50 of Hawai‘i’s high school student-athletes from the Class of 2026 officially signed their National Letters of Intent (NLI) to continue their athletic and...