Aiea looks to build on breakthrough season despite key departures

‘AIEA — Expectations have changed around the ʻAiea football program.

A year after surprising much of the OIA by reaching both the Division I championship game and the state tournament, Na Aliʻi enter the 2026 season focused on proving last year’s success was only the beginning.

Now entering his third season as head coach, Mika Liʻiliʻi believes the foundation built over the past two years has positioned the program to sustain its rise, even after graduating several of its top playmakers.

“We can only control what we can control,” Liʻiliʻi said. “If you want to be here, be here. We don’t pay attention to everything that’s going on out there with guys switching schools. We worry about what we do, and hopefully it pays off.”

ʻAiea finished 8-6 overall and 6-3 in OIA play last season, advancing to the OIA Division I championship game before falling to eventual state champion Kailua, 21-19. The narrow defeat denied Na Aliʻi their first OIA title under Liʻiliʻi, but the postseason run marked one of the program’s best seasons in recent memory.

Mika Li’ili’i observes some work by the ‘Aiea trenches at practice. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

The challenge now is building on that momentum despite the graduation of Division I Offensive Player of the Year Hiki Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo, along with standout receiver Champ Colburn and linebacker Royale Tavale-Peterson.

“Building off last year, we lost some key players like Hiki,” returning linebacker Malachi Liʻiliʻi-Utu said. “We’re just going to get new players and build chemistry with our team from there.”

Liʻiliʻi-Utu said last season’s success also reignited excitement throughout the community.

“I feel that way,” he said. “A lot of families got involved. Our school got repainted and all of that, but pride felt really strong last year building up to now.”

That renewed belief starts with a sophomore quarterback expected to take another step.

Caizel Jesus-Kapesi drops back to pass in a ‘Aiea practice. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Caizel “Fat Boy” Jesus-Kapesi showed promise as a freshman under offensive coordinator Keola Willing, who returns for another season after helping reshape both the offense and the team’s culture.

“Coach Ola brings more than just football,” Liʻiliʻi said. “He helped us restructure our culture here at ʻAiea. It’s not a sometimes thing — it’s an everyday thing, and everybody is buying in.”

Liʻiliʻi also praised Jesus-Kapesi’s willingness to learn.

“Fat Boy is just a coachable kid who wants to learn and trusts in the system that Ola has,” Liʻiliʻi said.

Jesus-Kapesi credits his development to both coaches, especially Liʻiliʻi, who has coached him since his youth football days.

“He coached me all my life coming up to varsity,” Jesus-Kapesi said. “He loves coaching. He likes to yell, but it’s for our better, to get us better and get us to the next level.”

The quarterback who threw 3,264 yards and 33 touchdowns as a freshman will have plenty of help around him.

Two-way standout Legend Byrd-Tauala returns after emerging as one of the team’s most dynamic athletes, while Kila Spencer headlines a group of returning receivers alongside Colby Kojima and Keola Spruill. ʻAiea also added former King Kekaulike standout Cason Brooke through the transfer portal, giving the offense another proven playmaker.

Up front, offensive linemen Atamai Siufanua and Carsin “Dough Boy” Leafa anchor an experienced line that also includes Kimoh Philllik.

Senior OL Atamai Siufanua (center) is an underrated player for ‘Aiea. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“This year they’re strong,” Jesus-Kapesi said of his offensive line. “I like their build, I like their communication. Even though they mess up, they flush it out and play the next play. Communication is all we need.”

Defensively, Liʻiliʻi expects Liʻiliʻi-Utu and defensive back Ethan Toia to lead a unit that relied heavily on players contributing on both sides of the ball a season ago.

“Malachi can pretty much play any position, and we got Ethan Toia,” Liʻiliʻi said. “Those two guys will be our leaders on the field, but ultimately it starts up front.”

Depth remains one of the program’s biggest challenges.

“Because our team is so small in numbers, everybody has to play every position,” Liʻiliʻi said. “Just go out there, perform, leave everything out on the field and see what happens.”

Smiles from junior LB Malachi Li’ili’i-Utu during practice. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Na Aliʻi also added athlete Noa Punivai, a transfer from Waipahu, providing additional versatility on both sides of the ball.

Another obstacle awaits away from the field.

Because of ongoing renovations to Aiea High School’s football facility, Na Aliʻi will not play a true home game during the 2026 season, forcing the program to spend the entire year on the road or at neutral sites.

Even so, optimism remains high after last year’s breakthrough.

“I feel like we’re going to get it this year,” Toia said. “We just have to take it one step at a time. We have a lot of confidence, and we just have to keep pushing and practicing harder.”

ʻAiea opens the season against Damien on Aug. 8 at Pearl City High School.