Kahuku Ends Title Drought, Edges Kailua 35–32 for OIA Division I Championship

Kahuku Ends Title Drought, Edges Kailua 35–32 for OIA Division I Championship

Feb 4, 2026

The Red Raider faithful that made the trip to Radford’s Jim Alegre Gymnasium were treated to a Kahuku victory in the OIA championship. | Photo: Daniel Fujita, Special to HSRN

Kahuku Ends Title Drought, Edges Kailua 35–32 for OIA Division I Championship

BY HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 4, 2026

HONOLULU – The Kahuku Red Raiders closed the door on a long-awaited return to the top of OIA Division I boys basketball Tuesday night, grinding out a hard-fought 35–32 victory over the defending champion Kailua Surfriders in a defensive-heavy championship showdown.

The win delivered Kahuku its first OIA Division I boys basketball title since 2017, once again under head coach Brandyn Akana, and capped a season defined by resilience, depth, and late-game execution.

Kailua’s Sebastian Ledda puts up a shot attempt in the first half against Kahuku. | Photo: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

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Both teams struggled to find rhythm offensively in a physical, low-scoring contest that featured six lead changes and tight margins throughout. Kahuku held slim advantages after the first two quarters before Kailua surged ahead late in the third, setting the stage for a dramatic final frame.

Kahuku responded with its best quarter of the night when it mattered most, outscoring Kailua 15–7 in the fourth quarter. Timely stops, defensive discipline, and clutch free throws proved decisive as the Red Raiders regained control in the final minutes.

Kahuku’s Justus Daley puts up a layup attempt in the first half against Kailua. | Photo: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Coach Akana credited his team’s toughness and belief after the game. “There were times when we could give up, but the guys never gave up,” he said. “They held to it, and towards the end you could see that we came out on top”

The championship was particularly meaningful given Kahuku’s ability to adjust without a key contributor in the lineup. Akana praised his team’s depth, noting that players stepped up organically without needing to be told — a sign of a group built for postseason moments.

Fun Factory VIP of the Game: Tiki Akina-Watson

Senior Tiki Akina-Watson was named the Fun Factory VIP of the Game, embracing the challenge of impacting the championship beyond the box score. Tasked with defending Kailua’s top scorer, Akina-Watson embraced his role, helping limit Maddox Pung and anchoring Kahuku’s late-game defense.

“Our goal was to shut Maddox down,” Akina-Watson said. “It wasn’t just me — it was my team. Everybody played a big part”.

Offensively, Akina-Watson delivered when it mattered most, knocking down clutch free throws in the final minute. “Free throws win games,” he said. “If you don’t think so, you just saw it happen”.

For the senior, the moment carried deeper meaning. “It means everything,” Akina-Watson said. “My last year here, I couldn’t ask for anything more. We’re coming for the state next”.

Kahuku guard Tiki Akina-Watson surveys the court in the first half. | Photo: Daniel Fujita, Special to HSRN

Top Performers

Kahuku Red Raiders

  • Inoke Lloyd – Led Kahuku with 9 points, knocking down key shots and playing heavy minutes in the backcourt.

  • Tiki Akina-Watson – Posted 6 points, 8 rebounds, and took on the primary defensive assignment late.

  • Kashus Daley – Added 6 points and delivered key free throws in the fourth quarter.

  • Chauncey Ako – Finished with 6 points on efficient shooting, providing steady contributions off the bench.

Kailua Surfriders

  • Dylan Kunz – Led Kailua with 11 points, including three three-pointers.

  • Joseph Bieniek – Contributed 8 points and 6 rebounds.

  • Sebastian Ledda – Added 7 points and 11 rebounds, battling inside all night.

  • Maddox Pung – Limited to 4 points on a tough shooting night as Kahuku’s defense focused on containment.

Kahuku held Kailua to 24.5 percent shooting from the field, a defensive effort that ultimately decided the championship.

What’s Next

Both teams advance to the HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships in Division I.

  • First Round: Monday, February 9

  • Quarterfinals: Wednesday, February 11

  • Semifinals: Thursday, February 12

  • Championship: Friday, February 13 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center

Click HERE for the DI bracket.

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO

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Kaimuki Claims OIA Division II Boys Basketball Title with 59–38 Win Over Waiʻanae

Kaimuki Claims OIA Division II Boys Basketball Title with 59–38 Win Over Waiʻanae

Feb 4, 2026

The Kaimuki Bulldogs celebrate after a big play against Wai’anae in the OIA Division II championship game. | Photo: Daniel Fujita, special to HSRN

Kaimuki Claims OIA Division II Boys Basketball Title with 59–38 Win Over Waiʻanae

BY HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 4, 2026

HONOLULU – The Kaimuki Bulldogs delivered a composed, wire-to-wire performance Wednesday night to capture the OIA Division II boys basketball championship, pulling away from Waiʻanae for a decisive 59–38 victory at Jim Alegre Gymnasium.

Kaimuki set the tone early, opening the game on a 19–10 first-quarter run and never looking back. The Bulldogs continued to apply steady pressure on both ends of the floor, extending the lead to 35–19 by halftime and holding Waiʻanae to single-digit scoring in the second and third quarters.

Kaimuki senior guard Manduy Pham puts up a jumper against Wai’anae in the first half of the OIA championship game. | Photo: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

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Elijah Fritz-Betiru led a balanced Bulldogs attack with 11 points, while Manduy Pham added 14 points and Hilton Edward chipped in nine. Kaimuki’s defense proved just as effective, forcing turnovers and limiting Waiʻanae to 20.0 percent shooting from the field and 3-of-19 from three-point range.

The Seariders were paced by Herman Ellis, who scored six points, while Janzen Butay and Josten Figueroa each added four. Despite battling on the glass, Waiʻanae struggled to generate consistent offense against Kaimuki’s disciplined half-court defense.

Kaimuki head coach Greydon Espinda gets his team settled in the huddle during the fourth quarter. | Photo: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Kaimuki outscored Waiʻanae 13–7 in the third quarter to put the game firmly out of reach, then closed out the championship with a controlled fourth quarter that highlighted the Bulldogs’ depth and poise.

The title marks Kaimuki’s third OIA Division II championship in the past five seasons, further cementing head coach Greydon Espinda’s run as one of the most successful stretches in program history. Under Espinda, the Bulldogs have now claimed OIA D-II crowns in 2022, 2024, and 2026.

Fun Factory VIP of the Game: Hilton Edward

Senior Hilton Edward was named the Fun Factory VIP of the Game, capping off a championship night that blended production, leadership, and pride in the Bulldogs’ program. Edward finished with nine points and helped anchor Kaimuki’s defensive effort as the Bulldogs pulled away in the second half.

Edward credited the Bulldogs’ chemistry for the dominant performance, saying the key was simply to “work together, play together,” noting that this time around Kaimuki “played harder, tried harder, and actually played well together”.

The senior also pointed to preparation as a difference-maker, explaining that Kaimuki’s outside shooting reflected what the team consistently works on in practice. On the defensive end, Edward emphasized the Bulldogs’ focus on tightening up late to protect the lead.

For Edward, the championship carried special meaning. “It means a lot because now I can leave the school with something,” he said, as Kaimuki brought another OIA Division II title back to the ‘Dawg Pound’.

Kaimuki big man Hilton Edward blocks a shot attempt by Wai’anae in the second half. | Photo: Daniel Fujita, special to HSRN

Top Performers

Kaimuki Bulldogs

  • ManDuy Pham – Led all scorers with 14 points, providing steady offense throughout the night.

  • Elijah Fritz-Betiru – Finished with 11 points, including timely baskets that helped Kaimuki extend its lead in the second half.

  • Hilton Edward – Added 9 points and anchored a Bulldogs defense that limited Waiʻanae to 38 points.

  • Russell Kinere – Contributed 4 points, 5 rebounds, and strong interior defense, helping control the paint.

Waiʻanae Seariders

  • Herman Ellis – Team-high 6 points, battling through a tough shooting night.

  • Janzen Butay – Scored 4 points and provided defensive energy on the perimeter.

  • Josten Figueroa – Added 4 points and worked on the glass despite Kaimuki’s size advantage.

Kaimuki’s balanced scoring and defensive discipline proved decisive, with multiple players contributing on both ends as the Bulldogs pulled away early and never relinquished control.

What’s Next

Both teams advance to the HHSAA Boys Basketball State Championships in Division II.

  • First Round: Wednesday, February 11

  • Semifinals: Thursday, February 12

  • Championship: Friday, February 13 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center

PHOTOS BY MICHAEL LASQUERO

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Kaimuki moves into first place atop OIA Division II standings

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Jan 22, 2026

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KAIMUKI — Manduy Pham made sure senior night would be a fun time for the home team.

The senior guard scored eight of Kaimuki’s first 10 points as the Bulldogs defeated visiting Waipahu, 67-55, Wednesday night to stay atop of the OIA Division II Boys Basketball standings.

With just one game left in the regular season, Kaimuki (7-1 league) is in prime position to lock up a first round bye in the upcoming six-team playoffs.

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“We did a great job. We really planned for this game from the start of the week,” said Pham, who was selected as the Fun Factory Games ‘VIP of the Game.’

“We came in here and we were confident. We really wanted this win. This win just gives us more confidence because we’re the No. 1 seed. We got a target on our backs, but that’s what we want. We want the competition. We want it hard.”

Pham, who was on the last Kaimuki team to win a OIA title two years ago, finished with 15 points in the win over the Marauders (6-2 league).

He hit a midrange jumper to start and made another shot from distance to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 lead. Pham then hit another triple following Waipahu’s first made basket for a 10-2 advantage.

“Those big shots, that’s mostly for me because I usually come off with a slow start so those first couple shots really gave me the confidence to keep going,” he said.

Freshman guard Elijah Fritz-Betiru was also solid with three made 3-pointers for 16 points to go along with three blocks.

“That boy is great,” Pham said of Fritz-Betiru. “He young, but he a dog. He really want it and he got a bright future ahead of him.”

Hilton Edward was also solid off the bench on 75 percent shooting for 13 points and five rebounds.

Pacing the Marauders in the loss was Talon Ea with a game-high 20 points and Zyrus Sivongxay-Tokumoto with 13 points.

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Hawaii-signees Fanuaea and Altura enjoy Polynesian Bowl festivities

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Jahren Altura (center) comes off the field after a play for Team Makai in the 2026 Polynesian Bowl.

HONOLULU — Before they suit up for the University of Hawai’i football team, future Rainbow Warriors Vainuupo Fanuaea and Jahren Altura got one last opportunity to compete against fellow high school athletes on the gridiron.

The pair were among 100 of the best college signees and prospects that participated in weeklong activities leading up to 2026 Polynesian Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Field Friday night.

Many of the all-star game’s prior participants have excelled on the collegiate and professional level, including 2025 NFL first round picks Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan.

Fanuaea, a tight end out of Nanakuli, said the experience was a blessing.

“Being surrounded by people who are considered the best of the best, not only at my position but around the world forces you to see where I need to work on myself,” Fanuaea said.

Both Fanuaea and Altura were on Team Makai, who was coached by Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson.

“It was a great experience being able to play in this game,” said Altura, a cornerback out of Saint Louis. “Everybody here is great competitors and with all these coaches it was awesome to be able to soak up the knowledge from them.”

Fanuaea added: “I think a lot of it was learning technique and using it. I feel like I just got to start building on that more so I can become a better player.”

Altura graduated from Saint Louis in December and will participate in spring ball with the Rainbow Warriors.

“Super excited to be able to join this group,” he said. “It’s a special group, just got to get out there and compete.”

Fanuaea will join the Rainbow Warriors in the summer. He is still competing on the prep level as a hoops player for a Golden Hawks team that is currently undefeated in OIA Division-I West play.

Pearl City Stays Perfect, Rolls Past Castle 51–28

Pearl City Stays Perfect, Rolls Past Castle 51–28

Jan 7, 2026

Pearl City Stays Perfect, Rolls Past Castle 51–28

The Pearl City Chargers continued their dominant run through league play on Saturday night, pulling away in the second half for a 51–28 victory over the Castle Knights. The win keeps Pearl City unbeaten at 6–0 in OIA Division II action and firmly atop the OIA Division II West standings.

Behind a blistering performance from Riya Tobosa and a suffocating defensive effort after halftime, the Chargers once again showed why they’ve set the pace in Division II this season.

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First-Half Fireworks

Pearl City wasted no time asserting itself, opening the game on a 7–0 run capped by Tobosa’s three-point play. The Knights answered behind Ayjah Maae, who scored Castle’s first 10 points as the visitors trimmed the deficit to 13–10 after one quarter.

Castle briefly found momentum in the second period. A Tia Gaison-Asing triple tied the game at 15–15, but that proved to be the closest the Knights would get the rest of the way. Pearl City responded with a decisive 7–0 run to reclaim control and never looked back.

Tobosa Takes Over

Tobosa was unstoppable from the opening tip. She poured in nine points in the first quarter, then delivered the knockout punch coming out of halftime. Pearl City opened the third quarter on a 10–0 run, stretching the lead to 32–18 and putting the game firmly in Chargers’ hands.

Midway through the period, Tobosa’s putback gave Pearl City a 34–19 advantage — a moment where she had scored as many points as the Knights had as a team. She finished the third quarter with 23 points, and the Chargers led 40–19 heading into the final eight minutes.

Defense and Distance

Pearl City’s defense clamped down after the break, holding Castle without a made field goal in the second half until Gaison-Asing knocked down a three with 4:15 remaining. By then, the Chargers had already built a commanding cushion.

The Chargers were sharp from deep, knocking down five of their six three-pointers in the second half. Kyrie Chen’s triple pushed the lead to a game-high 51–20, capping a night where she also took on the primary defensive assignment against Maae after the opening quarter.

Trinidad Gonzalez Salazar provided a strong second-half spark, scoring 11 of her 14 points after intermission.

By the Numbers

  • Riya Tobosa (Pearl City): Game-high 25 points

  • Trinidad Gonzalez Salazar (Pearl City): 14 points (11 in second half)

  • Ayjah Maae (Castle): 13 points (10 in first quarter)

What’s Next

Pearl City now turns its attention to a marquee regular-season finale against the Kaiser Cougars, but not before the Cougars take care of business in their next outing. Kaiser, currently 5–0 and sitting atop the OIA Division II East, will face McKinley prior to meeting the Chargers.

The Chargers and Cougars are scheduled to meet on January 14 in what could shape up as a showdown between unbeaten division leaders, with postseason positioning on the line as Pearl City looks to close league play on a high note.

Kahuku alum Aiden Manutai overcame health scare ahead of Hawaii Bowl

Kahuku alum Aiden Manutai overcame health scare ahead of Hawaii Bowl

Dec 24, 2025

Kahuku alum Aiden Manutai overcame health scare ahead of Hawaii Bowl

Aiden Manutai (left) poses with teammate Lebron Williams before the Cal Bears’ game against Virginia on Nov. 1 | Photo: Brian Bautista

Two months ago Kahuku graduate Aiden Manutai had no idea when he would see the football field again.

But his love for his teammates and coaches helped Manutai overcome the adversity he was going through.

The true freshman starting safety for the California Golden Bears football team overcame a cardiac contusion suffered during the Oct. 24 game at Virginia Tech and is now back home in Hawaiʻi for the Sheraton Hawaiʻi Bowl, where Cal will face the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors on Christmas Eve at the T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. HST.

Manutai, a 5-foot-11, 200-pound defensive back from Waipahu, was hospitalized following Cal’s 42-34 double-overtime loss to the Hokies. The injury — a bruise to the heart muscle caused by blunt chest trauma — required close monitoring and forced Manutai to weigh whether he would return this season.

“The past two months was very mental,” Manutai said. “I had to think about things a lot, on whether or not I should finish out the season or not. I had a cardiac contusion … I had to monitor my heart and everything.”

Cleared to return, Manutai made his comeback Nov. 22 against Stanford and played a key role in Cal’s regular-season finale, a 38-35 upset of 21st-ranked SMU.

In that game, he recorded a season-high eight tackles, intercepted a pass for the first time in his collegiate career and broke up a pass with eight seconds left in regulation that prevented the Mustangs from gaining yardage for a potential game-tying field goal attempt.

Manutai finished his first collegiate regular season with 41 total tackles, a fumble recovery, one interception and two pass breakups in nine games.

“First off I had a bunch of great leaders all over the team,” Manutai said. “Coaches and players that were able to take me under their wing. I was just able to listen and take things in.”

The SMU victory was also Cal’s first game since parting ways with head coach Justin Wilcox. Former University of Hawaiʻi quarterback and head coach Nick Rolovich is serving as the Golden Bears’ interim coach.

“They kind of let it up to me on whether or not I wanted to play,” Manutai said. “The decision to play was because of them. These players and coaches mean a lot to me. I really love my teammates and my coaches and what they poured into me.”

Manutai is a 2025 graduate of Kahuku and was named the state’s Defensive Player of the Year as a senior. He was a three-time ScoringLive All-Hawaiʻi First Team selection at defensive back in the Open Division and helped the Red Raiders win state titles in his sophomore and junior seasons, along with OIA championships in his sophomore and senior years.

He committed to Cal in July 2024 after the Golden Bears emerged as a finalist during the spring recruiting period. His final list also included Arizona, Nebraska, Tennessee and Washington.

“We took an unofficial visit in March,” Manutai said after his committment. “I loved the environment, the vibes. When I came back on my official visit, it felt like a family environment, so I felt like that was the place I needed to be.”

Manutai is part of a Hawaiʻi-heavy recruiting class at Cal that includes true freshman starting quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele of Campbell and former Kahuku teammate Lebron Williams on the defensive line.

A four-year varsity player, Manutai spent his freshman season at Mililani before transferring to Kahuku, where he developed into one of the state’s top defensive backs.

Now, after a frightening midseason setback, he returns home with a chance to close his freshman year on a familiar field.