HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Hawaii high school football returns on Friday with a big slate of games this weekend, including a rematch of last season’s state championship game.
Nine months ago, Saint Louis hoisted the Koa Head trophy for the first time in five years.
“This year is a different journey but we’re going back for the same thing,” said Saint Louis defensive end Kona Acedillo.
They will have to try and repeat their victory without all-state running back Titan Lacaden, who found a home right down the road in lower Manoa as a University of Hawaii Rainbow Warrior.
“Titan is a very, very good player. You don’t replace him; you just play as a team again,” said Saint Louis quarterback Nainoa Lopes.
Even though Lopes committed to Cal Berkeley over the summer, he’s still fighting for the QB1 spot.
Found a home at Cal Football! Mahalo to Coach Harsin & Coach Wilcox for believing in me ???? I would also like to thank every other coach that has offered me a spot and shown interest in me thru my recruitment, I am very grateful for every opportunity! GO BEARS! pic.twitter.com/RPad1JWq8h
— Nainoa Lopes 3?? QB (@NainoaLopes) June 17, 2025
“It’s up to our coaches, you know either one is fine with me,” said Saint Louis offensive lineman Kamoi Huihui-White.
Head coach Tupu Alualu added, “It’s not about Nainoa or Mose. It’s about the whole team; it’s about the staff, it’s about the whole school.”
Being a part of the brotherhood just means more for Alualu, who strives to carry on the culture built decades prior by Cal and Ron Lee.
“I came here and I got an opportunity to be the head coach, and I didn’t want to just be a head coach, I wanted to make sure I gave back,” he said.
On Saturday, the Crusaders will have to open the season at Kahuku High School, one of the toughest environments in all of high school football.
“Just for the kids to get back to peace of mind, normalcy, I guess you would call it,” said Kahuku head coach Nihoa Pule.
Also known as Coach Hawaiian, Pule has stepped into the position after the dismissal of Sterling Carvalho.
He’s been with the program for over a decade and spent the last four years as the defensive coordinator.
Pule says nothing brings the North Shore community together quite like Kahuku football.
“That’s one of our main things, making sure we don’t lose at home because everyone comes out. I mean you guys have been around town where everything’s shut down,” said Pule.
Ready to put on a show and debut a new offense is senior quarterback Matai Fuiava, who transferred late last year.
“We want to switch the whole view of Kahuku around. It’s usually all smash mouth football from whenever you think about Kahuku from the past years,” said Fuiava.
The Kahuku and Saint Louis rivalry spans decades with Saturday being another opportunity for fans to see two of Hawaii’s premier programs collide.