Valley City State University football has a growing number of Hawai’i athletes in North Dakota

Valley City State University football has a growing number of Hawai’i athletes in North Dakota

Dec 17, 2024

Valley City State University football has a growing number of Hawai’i athletes in North Dakota

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 17, 2024

There’s ‘Ocean’s Eleven’ — and then there’s ‘Hawai’i’s Eleven.’

Valley City State University in North Dakota was home to eleven football players from Hawai’i during the fall 2024 season.

But just like the movie franchise, that number will probably grow.

VCSU offensive coordinator Dustin Yorek, the Hawai’i recruiter for the Vikings, is looking to continue the pipeline from across the Pacific Ocean.

Players from Hawai’i on VCSU’s roster include ‘Iolani running back Ka’ua Nishigaya, Waipahu offensive linemen Moziah Rogers-Tivao, Kishaun Salavea-Glover and Taison Tisalona and Kaiser skill position players Mason Nelson and Hunter Phelps.

Also on the roster are Castle’s Ksen Warren, ‘Aiea’s Micah Kealoha, Kea’au’s Malachi Torres, Campbell’s Rowen Bucao and Pearl City’s Tobias Vazquez.

“It feels more like home because we have each other and we always talk to each other and hang out with each other so so it feels just like home with all of them,” Vazquez said.

Yorek credits the coaching that players in Hawai’i get that allows them to be successful at the next level.

“Football is loved in Hawai’i and kids there can train year round with great coaches,” said Yorek.

“Our offensive linemen we get from Hawai’i are polished because of organizations like Trench Warriors or Trench Dawgz that train these guys year round.”

Yorek added that players from Hawai’i have a higher chance to see the field early in their careers playing for the Vikings.

“We have had offensive lineman come here and travel right away. I think part of the reason is we cap our roster at 100-110 players so each athlete has a real shot at making the 57-man travel roster. Hawai’i athletes also have a hand up getting onto the field early in their careers because like Texas, there are some tremendous coaches that coach these athletes and football year round.”

VCSU competes in the NAIA, which is very similar to Division II college athletics, but because it is not affiliated with the NCAA, a different governing body allows for slightly different eligibility and recruiting rules.

This allows the university to stack academic and athletic scholarships together. Combined with the low cost of living in North Dakota, the school provides a great opportunity for higher education with little to no debt.

“We have had great success with Hawai’i players coming here first and foremost because we are an affordable option,” Yorek said.

In addition to academic and athletic scholarships provided by the university, Fantastic Sams Hawai’i has partnered with VCSU on additional scholarship opportunities to Hawai’i student-athletes.

“Fantastic Sams has been a huge supporter of youth, high school and college sports in Hawai’i for over two decades now,” said regional director Chad Nelson.

Last year, Fantastic Sams awarded scholarships to five football players from five different OIA schools.

“In 2021-2022, I discovered that VCSU was recruiting heavily in Hawai’i, and I had to find out why and wanted to learn more about their program,” Nelson added.

“When I asked one of the of the assistant coaches why a small school from North Dakota would come so far to recruit these local boys, he gave me the answer we already knew ‘They’re straight dawgs on the field, I don’t know what it is, but they’re built different.’ And the second part of his answer we already knew too. ‘Off the field they’re some of the kindest, most respectful young men we’ve seen…

“They get it. The decision to support local athletes committing to VCSU was easy, and through the Fantastic Sams scholarship, we’re able to bring more awareness to this great opportunity, helping them get to that next level.”

Athletes in Hawai’i that are interested in these scholarship can apply by going to vcsuvkings.com and fill out the ‘Recruit Me’ form.

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

by | Feb 3, 2026

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026 HSRN STAFF | HONOLULUPUBLISHED FEBRUARY 3, 2026The University of Hawai‘i has released its 2026 Spring Football roster, offering an early look at the personnel that will shape the Rainbow Warriors heading into...

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State-of-the-art $24 million athletic complex projected to open at McKinley High in Sept. 2026

State-of-the-art $24 million athletic complex projected to open at McKinley High in Sept. 2026

Dec 11, 2024

A photo illustration of what a McKinley football game would look like in the new facility. | Rendering courtesy: G70

State-of-the-art $24 million athletic complex projected to open at McKinley High in Sept. 2026

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 11, 2024

Go get ’em Tigers.

McKinley High School broke ground Wednesday on a $24 million state-of-the-art athletic complex that will elevate spectator experience and serve as a hub for the community, the Hawai’i Department of Education said in a press release.

With the design done by G70 and Nan, Inc. beginning construction on the project, fans and community members can expect to enjoy the new facility by Sept. 2026 the release said.

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by several DOE administrators, legislators and supporter of Hawai’i high school athletics.

“We hope this facility will inspire student-athletes to go for gold and bring Tiger Pride to their classmates and their ‘Ohana,” superintendent Keith Hayashi said in the release. “This stadium’s reach goes beyond McKinley. It will be a center of activity for the surrounding neighborhood to be a part of and enjoy.”

There will be over 2,400 bleacher seats with many amenities under the bleachers to include male and female locker rooms, coaches’ offices, weight training room and more, the release said.

HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi (center) and McKinley High School principal Ron Okamura take part in a groundbreaking ceremony. | Photo Credit: Hawai’i State Department of Education

“The McKinley community has been waiting a long time for this facility,” said principal Ron Okamura. “It is uplifting to witness everyone’s hard work come to fruition today. We are looking forward to seeing how this new complex will enhance not only the sports program but also energize school spirit as well.”

The football team, who will be the main occupants of the facility when it opens, is also on the uptick.

The Tigers snapped a 34-game losing streak and earned their first win since Sept. 7, 2019 when they defeated Kaimuki in early October, 9-7.

“It’s going to be good, our kids this year, they always want to play games at their home field,” said McKinley coach Steve Warner.

“I think the parent and the community will be very happy when it all comes to fruition.”

Former Kahuku WR Carvalho to join Hawai’i football instead of Utah after LDS church mission

Former Kahuku WR Carvalho to join Hawai’i football instead of Utah after LDS church mission

Dec 6, 2024

Kainoa “Kaikai” Carvalho takes a photo during an official visit to the University of Hawai’i. | Photo courtesy Stewart Carvalho

Former Kahuku WR Carvalho to join Hawai’i football instead of Utah after LDS church mission

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 6, 2024

The date is Dec. 6, 2024.

Former Kahuku wide receiver Kainoa “Kaikai” Carvalho is currently sharing the good news in Sapporo, Japan.

That good news is the gospel of Jesus Christ as Carvalho is nearing the conclusion of a two-year mission as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Dec. 6 is also a date that brought good news for Hawai’i football fans — Carvalho will be a Rainbow Warrior starting in the 2025 season.

Carvalho, who is 5-foot-7, 165 pounds, is the latest player to join the Hawai’i football team during the early signing period after the program’s social media accounts posted the news Friday afternoon.

It sent shockwaves across the state because the 2021 state Offensive Player of the Year was initially committed to play for the Utah Utes before he graduated in 2023 and embarked on his church mission.

What made it even more shocking was because his father Stewart, is an Utah alumnus, and his younger brother Mana signed his letter of intent to play for the Utes just two days prior.

With many moving pieces throughout the early signing period and as many other coaches and schools try to position themselves to get the best players and possibly flip some commitments, Stewart Carvalho just had one piece of advice for his son Kaikai.

“At the end of the day, Kaikai was kind of like, ‘hey dad, what should I do with all this hoopla going on and whatever,’ and I said: Go where you’re wanted, go where people believe in you,” said Stewart Carvalho, who is also an assistant coach for the Red Raiders.

Stewart Carvalho mentioned that there was conversations from other programs surrounding his two sons in hoping to get the younger Carvalho to flip his commitment from Utah.

But in the days of Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) and players getting compensated and getting paid either through collectives or from a portion of the university’s revenue share, relationships and being genuine and intentional still matters.

Stewart Carvalho credits Hawai’i wide receivers coach Jared Ursua in winning his son over, noting that Ursua “has never lost faith in Kaikai” and kept in touch while his son was on his mission.

Wide receivers coach Jared Ursua coaches from the sideline during the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors contest vs. UCLA in August | Michael Lasquero, HSRN

“My wife (Yuri) probably thought he was the classiest coach throughout this whole recruiting cycle,” Stewart Carvalho said. “(He) always showed (Kaikai) love, every time when we would talk, he always kept telling me ‘I’m going to get your boys, I’m going to get your boys.

“I think that resonated with Kaikai. At the end of the day, he wants to go somewhere where he’s love, where he’s appreciated more than someplace where I have been and I’ve gone.”

Stewart Carvalho added that he has no problem with Kaikai not playing for his alma mater.

“I’m happy with his decision, following his heart, but more importantly, following those that really believed in him because that’s when he plays his best.”

The Carvalho family moved to the Hawai’i from Utah when Kaikai was in fourth grade because Stewart Carvalho wanted to raise his family in the culture of the islands.

When Kaikai Carvalho eventually puts on the Rainbow Warriors uniform on his first game day, he will be representing something greater than the name on the back of his jersey.

“Hawai’i has given Kaikai, my son, basically my whole family so much love and appreciation that he knows that he’s playing (for) something bigger than himself. It’s not about him anymore,” said Stewart Carvalho.

“The two years on his mission has given him the perspective that you serve others to give back. The least he can do is give back to the home state, to the community, to his family and represent it the best way he can.”

Kaikai Carvalho’s final day of his mission is on the penultimate day of April 2025. He will enroll at the University of Hawai’i at Manoa in May and get to work as soon as possible with Ursua and head coach Timmy Chang helping with the transition.

“(They) will let him enroll as possible, start working out with the team, start doing those PRPs (player run practices), with the players, get used to the quarterbacks and by summer camp, he’s ready to go and into the 2025 season.”

Injuries hampered Kaikai Carvalho’s senior season in 2022, but he was a dynamic playmaker as a junior and scored a total 147 points via 10 receiving touchdowns, five return scores on special teams, one rushing TD, 45 PATs and two field goals.

He also caught 64 passes for 1,029 yards and was instrumental to the Red Raiders going 10-0 in 2021 as they denied a fifth state title for Saint Louis while jumpstarting a three-year run atop of the mountain.

In 2024, the Crusaders stopped Kahuku’s bid for a fourth consecutive title behind a strong performance from a similar sized player as Kaikai Carvalho in Titan Lacaden, who is also Manoa-bound.

Stewart Carvalho is ready to see the two players tear it up for the Rainbow Warriors.

“I could see (Kaikai) and Titan just killing it out there.”

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

by | Feb 3, 2026

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026 HSRN STAFF | HONOLULUPUBLISHED FEBRUARY 3, 2026The University of Hawai‘i has released its 2026 Spring Football roster, offering an early look at the personnel that will shape the Rainbow Warriors heading into...

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OL Kernaghan, LB Paogofie signs with the Rainbow Warriors

OL Kernaghan, LB Paogofie signs with the Rainbow Warriors

Dec 6, 2024

OL Kernaghan, LB Paogofie signs with the Rainbow Warriors

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 6, 2024

The Ewa Beach-to-Manoa pipeline continues.

A pair of Campbell Sabers put pen to paper Wednesday morning with offensive lineman Jordan Kernaghan and linebacker Aisiah Paogofie signing to play for the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors.

“We definitely want to make a mark, two boys from home, helping the home team,” said Kernaghan, who played right tackle on a Campbell offense that helped the Sabers put up 41.9 points per game and 395.3 yards of total offense in 2024.

They will join a roster that includes Campbell graduates Peter Manuma, a captain at safety, and a trio of freshman from the Sabers that signed last year in Nazaiah Caravallo, Lautaimi Manuma and Isaac Maugaleoo. Outgoing senior receiver Tamatoa-Mokiao-Atimalala, who caught two touchdowns in the final game of the season, was also a Campbell graduate.

Paogofie, who is 6-foot-1 and 196 pounds, said the Ewa Beach-ties on the team contributed to him choosing to stay home.

“Just seeing what they had accomplished while being at the University of Hawai’i is really exciting,” he said. “I’m just really excited to go and experience what they experienced.”

Both players committed in early June after their official visit to the campus in Manoa.

“I committed on the spot,” Paogofie admitted. “They really just caught my eye just because I can play at home, play in front of my family and play in front of my friends.”

Kernaghan added that coach Timmy Chang and offensive linemen coach Derek Faavi, who graduated from Campbell in 2001 before playing for the Rainbow Warriors, made him feel at home.

“Over there just feels like one bond, one team, and coach Timmy Chang and coach Faavi just made me feel like a priority,” Kernaghan said.

“Coach Faavi knows where I’m from and he knows the struggles from over here so it feels great as someone I can relate to as a coach. It feels great to play with some of my boys from last year and this year.”

Kernaghan, who is 6-foot-3 and 279 pound, plans to finish out his full senior year of high school before joining the team in the summer. While he played right tackle in high school, he noted that he is open to playing any position on the offensive line.

“I’m ready to play anywhere, and learn just together on the field. Any where they need me I’ll play.”

Paogofie played in a hybrid strong safety/outside linebacker role for the Campbell defense. He will look to transition into an inside linebacker role in defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman’s base scheme is a 4-2-5 defense with two linebackers, but noted that linebackers coach Chris Brown could tap into his multifaceted skillset.

“They see me as a linebacker with coach Brown and the Lion’s Den, but I’ll be able to move around and be versatile if they need me to,” said Paogofie, who had 82 tackles with a pick-six in the first eight games of the season.

Regardless of what role he fits in, the Rainbow Warriors will be getting an active player on the defensive side of the ball in Paogofie, who earned the nickname “Scoob” as a freshman at Sierra Vista in Las Vegas.

“I got that nickname freshman year just because I was a ‘dawg,’” said Paogofie.

“I’m just a high-energy player that’s ready to go, a player that’s never going to give up and a player that has faith in each and every one of the boys and that has faith in the Lord.”

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

by | Feb 3, 2026

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026 HSRN STAFF | HONOLULUPUBLISHED FEBRUARY 3, 2026The University of Hawai‘i has released its 2026 Spring Football roster, offering an early look at the personnel that will shape the Rainbow Warriors heading into...

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Sagapolutele flips commitment from Cal to Oregon in signing day decision

Sagapolutele flips commitment from Cal to Oregon in signing day decision

Dec 4, 2024

Sagapolutele flips commitment from Cal to Oregon in signing day decision

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 4, 2024

The No. 1 class of 2025 prospect from the state of Hawai’i is going to the current No. 1 team in the country.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, the state’s all-time career passing yards leader, put pen to paper Wednesday morning and signed to play for the Oregon Ducks at Campbell High School’s signing day event at its gymnasium.

Sagapolutele previously gave a verbal commitment to play for the Cal Golden Bears in the summer, but received attention from numerous schools in the midst of a stellar senior season for the Sabers as he passed for 3,404 yards and 46 touchdowns in the fall.

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound left-handed quarterback will follow in the footsteps of a pair of Hawai’i-born signal-callers in Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Marcus Mariota and current starter Dillon Gabriel.

“First and foremost I just want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus,” said Sagapolutele, who made his decision the night before. “I’m just so grateful that He put me in a place where I was able to decide where I want to go. It’s a great place. I’m just so thankful to my parents. It’s been in my heart for a while.”

Numerous factors contributed to Sagapolutele flipping his commitment.

Ties to Hawai’i was one of them.

In addition to Gabriel, six other players on the current Oregon roster list a Hawai’i city as their home town, including sophomore offensive linemen Iapani Laloulu, Kawika Rogers and junior running back Kilohana Haasenritter.

“The 808 pipeline is real,” Sagapolutele said, referencing the area code in Hawai’i. “They have something special over there and they’re continuing to build something special. I just can’t wait to go up there and compete. It was just in my heart that this was the right place to be. I felt it.”

In following in the footsteps of Mariota and Gabriel, Sagapolutele said: “it’s some big shoes to fill and to carry. I plan to make my own mark as well on the college level. Not to sound too boastful, but I’m ready to compete. I’m just ready to play. I’m just so grateful that I’m part of the 808 Ducks now.”

Sagapolutele added that he’s looking to be the starting QB from the get-go and is ready for the competition against sophomore Dante Moore and the rest of the QBs on the roster.

“You’re going to expect a guy that wants the position from day one,” Sagapolutele said. “I believe that with my skill talents and the things that the Lord has blessed me with… I’ll just continue to work hard. It’s just up from here. I’m excited.”

The future Duck took his official visit to the campus in Eugene in late October after the conclusion of the OIA regular season. Sagapolutele said “it was just cool vibes” from coach Dan Lanning, offensive coordinator Will Stein and the rest of the staff.

He added that Oregon did not stop their pursuit of him after his trip as multiple members of the coaching staff kept up with the communication.

“I was just feeling that I was really wanted over there. Coach Lanning and the staff, they really put time and effort into really recruiting me. Every day, it was just a lot of calls from them. Not every day was it calls from coach Lanning (but) coach Stein, just all of them. I’m just truly blessed and grateful that I was able to sign with them.”

The Georgia Bulldogs, who won national championships in 2021 and 2022, were also in the hunt for Sagapolutele and had an official visit scheduled with him on Nov. 16. State tournament games saw that date pushed back a week before Sagapolutele eventually canceled the planned trip with the Bulldogs.

Cal certainly did its part in trying to keep Sagapolutele committed to the Golden Bears when his recruiting stock increased.

Golden Bears coach Justin Wilcox and offensive coordinator Mike Bloesch flew to the islands to see Sagapolutele personally during the Sabers’ first playoff game before flying out the same night on Nov. 1.

Sagapolutele also took another unofficial visit to the campus in Berkeley before thanksgiving where he got to hangout with numerous Cal alumni that went on to play in the NFL.

But a change in the offensive staff at Cal may have been the last minute difference maker to get Sagapolutele to flip his commitment. According to reports on Tuesday, within 24 hours before the early signing day period, the Golden Bears were moving on from Bloesch as their OC.

“That was something that really affected my decision big time because I was really locked in with Cal, but then I was really unsure where they would be going now,” Sagapolutele confessed.

Sagapolutele’s older brother, John-Keawe, is also on the move. The former University of Hawai’i QB announced he would be entering the transfer portal recently on social media.

When asked if the two brothers could be playing in the same state, the younger Sagapolutele said: “you never know what will happen. Just prayers for my brother. He’s going to make a great decision. He’s going to go to a great place and I know he’s going to start right away and he’s going to ball.”

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

by | Feb 3, 2026

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026 HSRN STAFF | HONOLULUPUBLISHED FEBRUARY 3, 2026The University of Hawai‘i has released its 2026 Spring Football roster, offering an early look at the personnel that will shape the Rainbow Warriors heading into...

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Kapaa rises to the top of the Division I mountain in high school football

Kapaa rises to the top of the Division I mountain in high school football

Dec 2, 2024

 

The Kapa’a Warriors pose for a team photo after defeating Konawaena, 10-7, to win the First Hawaiian Bank Division I Football State Championship. | Photo Credit: Brian Bautista

Kapa’a rises to the top of the Division I mountain in high school football

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED DECEMBER 1, 2024

In 2021, the Kapa’a football team made history by bringing home the program’s first state title with a 61-7 win over Kamehameha-Maui in the Division II state championship that year.

Three years later, the Warriors got it done in a higher ‘weight class.’

Micah Rapozo’s field goal from 33 yards out in overtime gave Kapa’a its first D1 football state crown as the Warriors edged Konawaena, 10-7, in the First Hawaiian Bank Football State Championship Saturday night at Mililani’s John Kauinana Stadium.

Special teams also provided the Warriors’ only points in regulation with Nash Burkart’s 50-yard punt return followed by Bear Miller’s PAT to break a scoreless game with 11:41 left in regulation.

The low scoring game with no offensive touchdowns by his squad was right in the wheelhouse of Kapa’a coach Mike Tresler, a Kauai high alumnus and former University of Hawai’i defensive back.

“Oh man, that was amazing,” said Tresler. “That’s my kind of game, right? Special teams and defense. We didn’t score an offensive touchdown and we won a championship.”

It was the second title for the Warriors (9-2) under Tresler, whose team took steps to get there after winning the D2 crown in 2021.

In 2022, Kapa’a lost in its first-ever D1 state tournament game and in 2023 the Warriors reached the semifinals before falling on the road to Konawaena.

“We’ve been working for this since January and all that work is paying off now,” said Burkart.

“After that loss to Kona, losing those seniors in my last game with some of my best friends, it really — it just means so much to us and this team and the seniors on this team because we’ve been working for this forever and all that work just paid off.”

Tresler’s defense also held Konawaena’s high-powered offense, which was averaging over 45 points a game into the contest, to a season-low in scoring.

Even though the Wildcats outgain the Warriors in total offense, 324 to 132, they failed to turn them into points as Konawaena only converted on one of its five trips to the red zone, which came on a 2-yard run by Hercules Nahale with 4:09 left in regulation.

“You know what they say, offense wins games and defense wins championships, so all that just paid off now,” senior Burkart, who also plays defensive back.

The game-winning kick was also a redeeming moment for Rapozo, who had his first field attempt of the night blocked from 41 yards out in the second quarter.

“I would say I hesitated,” Rapozo said. “The snap was high so that kind of drew me back and I hesitated on stepping forward, so that was all me. I should have stepped forward quicker, so yeah, that was pretty much all me on the first attempt.”

Despite the miscue, Tresler knew Rapozo would come up clutch at the end.

“He had to fix up his timing — because that was a timing issue when we got blocked, the first one — but I’m so happy for him. He deserves it, he deserves the opportunity; that was huge,” Tresler said.

Burkart added that the special teams success can be credited to preparation.

“It just went perfect because every day we practice that — before practice is special teams and after practice is special teams — so we really prepare for those moments so I think that we were really prepared for that moment and that pressure of the game because we really practice that, so it really paid off,” Burkart said.

The Wildcats (10-3) were playing in their third straight D1 title game and was seeking their second championship after winning their first one in 2022.

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

by | Feb 3, 2026

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026 HSRN STAFF | HONOLULUPUBLISHED FEBRUARY 3, 2026The University of Hawai‘i has released its 2026 Spring Football roster, offering an early look at the personnel that will shape the Rainbow Warriors heading into...

read more