It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Kahuku Sugar Mill gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Kahuku, HI is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“After years of refusing In-home Care due to cost, My dad finally agreed to try”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot. I have good”
“I am a current client of this provider With my dad's everyday needs, especially bathing they”
“Tyler and his team are great! Love working with them.”
“After hiring the services of Always Best Care for approximately 70 consecutive days, I wanted”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have helped me in caring for my uncle while I”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! ”
“The worker was professional,,caring and punctual.”
“My aunt has been living in a nursing home for the last five years. In”
“Highly skilled, reliable and loving caregivers. They are the only agency to provide consistent care”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that”
“Best home care agency so far! My dad is a was veteran who has been”
“Always Best Care has been caring for my husband for almost a year now. The”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When we needed their service, Marcus was able to”
“Staff was very professional and considerate of my needs. Response time and answering my questions”
“The best professional service!!!!”
“Great care great staff”
“Have had very excellent caregivers through the services of Always Best Care. They are caring,”
“After years of refusing In-home Care due to cost, My dad finally agreed to try Always Best Care to take him to see his doctors. At 95, my dad is not an easy person to get along with let alone for a stranger to be with him for a few hours and transporting him, with his walker, to and from the hospital. My dad just called and he is thrilled with his caretaker Madeleine for her kind attitude and helpfulness. I'm relieved that he has found a trusted person that can take him to see his doctors. I began talking to Ernel, the manager, about two months ago regarding this type of service for my dad and we stayed in touch. Ernel was always friendly and professional and was able to get Madeleine for my dad in very short notice. Tita, the administrator, followed up with all the contracts and statements and I'm now enrolled into their online system. Overall, the 5 star rating is well deserved. Aging is not fun. Watching my dad struggle with his daily routine is difficult. Having good people around like Always Best makes it a bit easier for the both of us. Thank you.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot. I have good service from them that improves my health.”
“I am a current client of this provider With my dad's everyday needs, especially bathing they have helped. They are easy to work with, get ahold of, and communicate with us well. The people they sent have been good.”
“Tyler and his team are great! Love working with them.”
“After hiring the services of Always Best Care for approximately 70 consecutive days, I wanted to give the company a detailed review. I can honestly say I unequivocally and without hesitation, would recommend Always Best Care as a home health care agency. A vast majority of the caregivers are very conscientious and punctual. The company keeps our family very well informed via their "Family Room" function on their website. The administration and office staff are very thorough and meticulous. Special recognition to office staff (Marina, Abby, and Tita). A+++ company!!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have helped me in caring for my uncle while I get more time to do my other affairs. I know he is in the best care and really appreciate their services.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! She cares so much for my husband and is always there when he needs her to be. She is truly a angel that was sent to me by your company and I thank you so much for hiring her!! Aloha Jeff & Freda Pohaku”
“The worker was professional,,caring and punctual.”
“My aunt has been living in a nursing home for the last five years. In the last year however, we have seen her health and cognitive abilities slowly decline. A social worker asked us to seek extra help from a home care agency to provide additional caregivers due to her growing needs. They provided our family with some options, but in the end, highly recommended Always Best Care. We asked other residents in the facility who were also using ABC, and they too recommended the agency . My aunt has been so pleased with her caregivers and we appreciate the entire staff at ABC. Their communication is outstanding, caregivers are compassionate and reliable and they always go out of their way to accommodate our changing needs. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Highly skilled, reliable and loving caregivers. They are the only agency to provide consistent care for my dad who is receiving VA benefits.”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are very helpful, caring and pleasant to work with. I love that they can be reached 24/7 and are quick to find a caregiver for my sweet 90 year old mother, even at the last minute! True to their name, they always give their best care! I highly recommend you check them out! ????”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are very helpful, caring and pleasant to work with. I love that they can be reached 24/7 and are quick to find a caregiver for my sweet 90 year old mother, even at the last minute! True to their name, they always give their best care! I highly recommend you check them out! ????”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking forward to working with you and the wonderful team at ABC in the many years to come.”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking forward to working with you and the wonderful team at ABC in the many years to come.”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that the caregiver is on time and she completes her job.”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that the caregiver is on time and she completes her job.”
“Best home care agency so far! My dad is a was veteran who has been receiving in home care for awhile now. Our past experiences with other agencies have always been inconsistent. It's been difficult finding an agency who can provide experienced and reliable caregivers. However, the VA introduced us to Always Best Care about 6 months ago. Since then, we have been so pleased with the services they've provided. The office staff are so accessible and easy to talk to and the caregivers are second to none. They really enjoy their work and love working for the company. This really says a lot about ABC as a company, who treats their employees well. We feel safe and in good hands.”
“Always Best Care has been caring for my husband for almost a year now. The caregivers are so companionate, respectful and extremely reliable. The office staff are wonderful to work with. They stay in constant communication with my family and are always willing to go above and beyond what they are required to do. I recommended ABC to many of my friends and family members. Thank you!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When we needed their service, Marcus was able to get us set up right away. Their caregivers provide my mom with excellent care. They help her with task around the house, meal prep, exercise, etc. Their staff is very friendly and accommodating. My mom looks forward to seeing them every day. I know my mom is good hands with Always Best Care.”
“Staff was very professional and considerate of my needs. Response time and answering my questions was timely. The services are very affordable. I recommend you contact them at the earliest opportunity to get a medical professional assigned to you & confirmed. I had no issues with them here.”
“The best professional service!!!!”
“Great care great staff”
“Have had very excellent caregivers through the services of Always Best Care. They are caring, quick-thinking, professionals. I feel that this company is trustworthy and dependable.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Kahuku District Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Seven Brothers - Kahuku "At the Mill" or visit Opana Radar Site Memorial, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Kahuku, HI, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Kahuku, HI understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Kahuku, HI 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
HONOLULU — Destiny: manifested.When Tupu Alualu took over the Saint Louis football program in February, one word kept coming up."He told us that the whole system is going to change. You know, one of the words that I remember him saying when he started this job, was ‘manifest,’" said Saint Louis defensive end Pupu Sepulona. "Yessir. Manifest, and we kept manifesting ever since February."An old-school slugfest between the Crusaders and their longtime rival Kahuku fittingly went down to...
HONOLULU — Destiny: manifested.
When Tupu Alualu took over the Saint Louis football program in February, one word kept coming up.
"He told us that the whole system is going to change. You know, one of the words that I remember him saying when he started this job, was ‘manifest,’" said Saint Louis defensive end Pupu Sepulona. "Yessir. Manifest, and we kept manifesting ever since February."
An old-school slugfest between the Crusaders and their longtime rival Kahuku fittingly went down to the wire in the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Open Division football championship on Friday night.
A raucous crowd of 8,566 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex saw the Crusaders make a successful stand in the red zone to prevent a tying score in the final minute as they upheld a 17-10 victory, snapping a three-year run of state titles for the Red Raiders and giving the Kalaepohaku school its first since 2019.
Saint Louis (9-3) prevailed in its first season under the former Crusaders running back Alualu, who succeeded Ron Lee as head coach in February.
Alualu instituted some early weight training to go with less conventional methods like Muay Thai and yoga. But the Crusaders got off to a rough start on the field with losses at Kahuku and Mililani.
They then won nine of their next 10 capped with Friday's game.
"From that (14-13 loss at Kahuku), to the Mililani game, we always had Kahuku in mind," Alualu said. "I talked to Sterling (Red Raiders coach Carvalho) here and there. We went through the season and … at the same time, we was like, looking for each other.
"We’re here now. To learn there and come here and be victorious, I feel like this is our home field. I’m so thankful."
He dedicated the win to his hanai mother Susie Cook, who passed in 2022.
"She was the backbone of Saint Louis from ’86 until she retired in 2021," Alualu said.
FINAL: Saint Louis 17, Kahuku 10 Crusaders claim their 8th all time state title and end Red Raiders streak of 3. Matai Fuiava goes incomplete on 4th and 7 from the 8 to seal outcome. pic.twitter.com/gZZ00UN1Pe
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) November 30, 2024
[Note: See below for more photos of the HHSAA Open championship between Kahuku and Saint Louis.]
The Crusaders now own five of the eight state titles in the Open Division era (since 2016) compared to three for Kahuku. Kahuku (9-5) still leads its rival in overall state titles, 11 to eight.
Including the Oahu Prep Bowl era, Saint Louis has 22 total titles.
University of Hawaii-committed running back Titan Lacaden was sublime on the field he plans to tread next year, carrying the ball 31 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns against the Red Raiders’ vaunted run defense.
The 5-foot-7 back's ability to slither his way to key first downs allowed the Crusaders to nearly double up the Red Raiders in time of possession, 31:42 to 16:18.
Kahuku's 49-14 romp in the 2021 Open final remained in mind for Lacaden.
"It’s awesome, man. This is a full-circle moment," Lacaden said. "Beating the guys who beat me my freshman year. Them playing at the stadium where I’m committed to, it’s going to be great. I was able to catch of a glimpse of playing here, in front of my family as well. Just playing in front of the people of the state of Hawaii. The energy’s always rocking. Can’t wait for the next chapter in my life."
Lacaden had the go-ahead score on a 3-yard touchdown plunge with 3:43 left in the third, making Kahuku pay for a failed fourth-down throw from its own 42.
Carvalho hugged Alualu in the postgame handshake line and came over to congratulate Lacaden. He credited him for keeping the Red Raiders' defense locked on the field and said the Saints were the deserving winner on the night.
"We knew from the beginning we had to stop Titan," Carvalho said. "He’s a great athlete, great skill set. He can catch the ball, run the ball. I mean, he just found holes and he just made it difficult for us tonight, especially on defense."
Quarterback Matai Fuiava, a touted late-season transfer to Kahuku from St. John Bosco (Calif.), was 17-for-34 for 206 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Kahuku was held to just 51 rushing yards.
Alualu credited his defensive coordinator, Thom Kaumeyer, for a great game plan, and touted the fact that the Crusaders got it done with the same players who had been in the program for years.
"We didn’t go anywhere. It’s the same kids we had from the last three, four years," Alualu said. "We believe the culture, we believe who we are."
Saint Louis defensive lineman Stone Ah Quin came down with the only turnover of the game, a pick of Fuiava on a screen pass near the end of the third quarter. Saint Louis turned it into a 22-yard field goal by kicker Makena Kauai. It was answered by a 37-yarder less than two minutes later by Manoa Kahalepuna.
"I just felt it. In practice, me and my guys walk through their screens all the time," Ah Quin said. "I read it like a book, and I just felt it in my hands. I couldn’t see because the light; I was looking straight at the light. I felt it and I grabbed it, clinched it."
Of when his teammates mobbed him on the sideline, Ah Quin said, "No other feeling like it."
For Sepulona, it was his fifth overall state championship spanning basketball, volleyball and football.
After forcing a key punt on Saint Louis with 2:30 remaining, Fuiava found Bodhi Kaanga for a 46-yard pickup, then linked up with Kaanga on fourth and 10 to reach the Saint Louis 35.
Two more completions to Aiden Manutai and Kaanga brought Kahuku to the Saint Louis 11. A false start, then a hold on Saint Louis adjusted the ball to the 8 on second down.
Fuiava threw incomplete on the last four non-penalty plays of the game, aside from the Crusaders taking a knee to run out the clock. The closest to a completion came on third down when Fuiava lofted a ball to Manutai in the back of the end zone, but it was broken up by Crusaders defensive backs. On fourth down, Fuiava's pass sailed well over Kaanga's head by the front right pylon.
"We continued to keep our head down, stay focused. Stayed disciplined, most importantly," Sepulona said. "We just kept stopping them and made sure that we did our job and made sure we came out with the win."
A lengthy game-opening drive by Saint Louis, featuring 10 carries by Lacaden, was snuffed out when Mana Carvalho came around the edge and dropped Lacaden on fourth and goal from the 2.
Kahuku could not advance the ball from deep position and had to punt out. The Red Raiders ran only three plays in the first quarter.
Saint Louis appeared to have a touchdown toss from Nainoa Lopes to Jordan Nunuha to begin the second quarter but it was called off due to holding. The Crusaders missed an ensuing 43-yard field goal short.
A critical Kahuku 12-men-on-the-field penalty on 3rd and 1 gave Saint Louis first and goal and Lacaden punched it in from the 1 with 1:38 left in the half, capping a 10-play, 99-yard drive.
Fuiava went long to Mana Carvalho for a 34-yard TD in double coverage with eight seconds left in the half. After a penalty for excessive celebration, Kahalepuna nailed the extra point from 35 yards to tie the game at 7-7.
Kaanga caught seven passes for 101 yards for Kahuku while Carvalho snagged four for 66 yards.
After the game, the Red Raiders performed their traditional haka — in slightly more somber fashion than usual.
After the University of Utah-bound, all-phases standout Carvalho came up just short of becoming the first Kahuku player to win four football state championships in a career, he expressed that he felt he let his community down.
"I just wanted to take this last game with all my feelings. Win or lose, I’m going to play to the very last whistle," an emotional Carvalho told Spectrum News. "I mean, my body’s so sore right now, but you know, I just promised myself that my last high school game I’d try to win it and try to play to the final whistle."
The crowd at the Ching Complex was more than a 1,000 more than last year's debut prep championship game at UH's on-campus football venue between Kahuku and Mililani.
Note: This story has been updated with quotes and details.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
A Hawaii high school football season celebrated for its parity has led right back to a familiar place.Kahuku versus Saint Louis for all the marbles.The long-running football rivalry gets renewed on Friday night at the 15,000-seat Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex as the Crusaders and Red Raiders meet for the 11th time in a state championship game.What You Need To Know Kahuku is 6-4 against Saint Louis in such meetings in the final of the top tier of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA ch...
A Hawaii high school football season celebrated for its parity has led right back to a familiar place.
Kahuku versus Saint Louis for all the marbles.
The long-running football rivalry gets renewed on Friday night at the 15,000-seat Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex as the Crusaders and Red Raiders meet for the 11th time in a state championship game.
Kahuku is 6-4 against Saint Louis in such meetings in the final of the top tier of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA championships. This is their first meeting at the University of Hawaii's on-campus venue; all prior meetings took place at Aloha Stadium until 2021, when the final was contested at Farrington's Skippa Diaz Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with the game televised on Spectrum OC16 pay-per-view (channel 1255).
Three-time defending champ Kahuku owns 11 state championships and Saint Louis seven, but Saint Louis still has a 4-3 edge in titles in the Open Division era (since 2016).
First-year coach Tupu Alualu has guided his alma mater to the state final for the first time since 2021, when Kahuku prevailed 49-14 to launch its modern-day dynasty under Sterling Carvalho.
The teams met at Kahuku’s Carleton Weimer Field in the 2024 season opener on Aug. 10. Saint Louis’ 42-yard field goal to win went wide and Kahuku held on for a 14-13 victory.
Saint Louis’ 42-yard field goal for the win is NO GOOD and Kahuku holds on for a 14-13 win over its old rival on the North Shore. Great way to cap the first prep football weekend of the season. @OC16Sports @KahukuSports @StLouisHawaii pic.twitter.com/O9KPrPxyjM
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) August 11, 2024
Both teams have changed significantly since that matchup. In the last handful of weeks alone, Kahuku (9-4) welcomed quarterback Matai Fuiava and offensive lineman Jacob Maiava from mainland powerhouse programs.
Two of the teams’ top playmakers, Titan Lacaden for Saint Louis and Mana Carvalho for Kahuku, were limited and out entirely, respectively, for that matchup.
While Campbell generated most of the buzz as the state’s top team all season, Kahuku rounded into form in all three phases at the right time and prevailed in the OIA playoffs. Saint Louis, with junior quarterback Nainoa Lopes at the controls but the senior Lacaden the diminutive workhorse, overcame a convoluted ILH playoff format and won at Kamehameha to take the ILH title.
Saint Louis then came back from 11 points down at halftime to beat Campbell 27-24 in the state semifinals two weeks ago when star quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele suffered a rib injury mid-game. Kahuku, meanwhile, prevailed over Mililani in a defensive affair, 8-6, with all-phases star Aiden Manutai having an outsized impact.
In the Oahu Prep Bowl era (1973-1998), Saint Louis prevailed 14 times — including the last 13. Five of those came against Kahuku.
Here’s the list of HHSAA finals (Division I and Open) contested between the two rivals:
Source: HHSAA
1999: Saint Louis 19, Kahuku 0
2000: Kahuku 26, Saint Louis 20
2001: Kahuku 21, Saint Louis 14
2003: Kahuku 27, Saint Louis 26
2006: Kahuku 7, Saint Louis 6
2015: Kahuku 39, Saint Louis 14
2016: Saint Louis 30, Kahuku 14
2017: Saint Louis 31, Kahuku 28
2019: Saint Louis 45, Kahuku 6
2021: Kahuku 49, Saint Louis 14
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
HONOLULU — Campbell had the results, the ranking and the reputation as the best team in the state.Kahuku had tradition.The Red Raiders outplayed the previously unbeaten Sabers in the second half at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium for a 33-15 victory and the 30th Oahu Interscholastic Association championship in the proud football history of the North Shore school.What You Need To Know [Note: See below for more photos of Kahuku-Campbell in the OIA Open championship.]...
HONOLULU — Campbell had the results, the ranking and the reputation as the best team in the state.
Kahuku had tradition.
The Red Raiders outplayed the previously unbeaten Sabers in the second half at Farrington’s Skippa Diaz Stadium for a 33-15 victory and the 30th Oahu Interscholastic Association championship in the proud football history of the North Shore school.
[Note: See below for more photos of Kahuku-Campbell in the OIA Open championship.]
Waianae has the second-most OIA titles with 18, but none since 1997.
Now Kahuku (8-4), which lagged behind Campbell in some key respects for most of the season, is the presumed top seed in next week’s First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Open football championships.
Sterling Carvalho’s Raiders are the three-time defending state champs but faltered in last year’s OIA final against Mililani. Carvalho, who has led Kahuku to OIA titles in four of the last five years in which Oahu football was contested, held up the league plaque to his players — with the other hand flashing two fingers for the number of games standing between them and state title number 12.
“It’s exciting, but you know, we all know which one we want,” said receiver Aiden Manutai, who had the go-ahead 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown from recent transfer quarterback Matai Fuiava with 12 seconds left in the third quarter. “We want that big koa trophy, bring it back to the North Shore. We’re going to celebrate tonight but once it hits 7:55 tomorrow morning, we’re right back at it.”
Kahuku wins its 30th @OIASports football championship, 33-15 over previously unbeaten Campbell. Kahuku the presumable top seed in HHSAA Open tournament. pic.twitter.com/ykjv8xkLLX
— Brian McInnis (@Brian_McInnis) November 9, 2024
One week after throwing for six touchdowns in a wild 49-43 comeback win from 26 points down against Kapolei in the OIA semifinals, senior quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was held to one scoring throw and 239 yards on 19-for-33 passing.
Potent, interchangeable receivers like Rusten Abang-Perez and Zayden Alviar-Costa were kept largely in check by the Red Raider secondary.
“We just had to make them earn ‘em,” Carvalho said. “If you watch all their games, especially last week against Kapolei, they was able to score at will, and at a fast pace. If we can have them march and take time off the clock, shorten the game, limit the possessions that Jaron has in that offense, that’s what we wanted to do coming into this game.”
Campbell (9-1) remained without a title at the highest tier of OIA competition, a painful setback for a magical season that’s included the state career passing yardage record for the polished Sagapolutele. The Sabers own Division II titles in 2004 and 2008.
“Hat’s off to them, they won the game tonight,” Campbell coach Darren Johnson said. “We made critical mistakes that we’ve got to go back and fix for the next game.”
The Ewa Beach power is expected to face ILH champion Saint Louis in the HHSAA Open semifinals next Friday at Mililani.
Campbell’s best weapon on the day was kicker Jadyn Parker, who hit from 40, 33 and 36 yards, the last to give the Sabers a 15-11 lead with 3:47 left in the third quarter.
Kahuku then scored 22 unanswered points, with the highlight the connection between Manutai and Fuiava throwing into the wind blowing down from the Kapalama Heights and over H-1.
Fuiava, who turned heads by importing himself from California powerhouse St. John Bosco last month, enrolling and playing against Campbell a few days later, rolled out to the right and fired on the run over the middle, right on target to Manutai.
“I said a couple weeks ago on TV, Matai, ever since he got here, he brought in the receivers and we started getting to work right away,” Manutai said. “So I think that was a big part of building chemistry, and he just knew I was going to be there. The ball was there and we scored.”
Carvalho frequently acknowledged his defense and special teams would have to carry the load for a young team while the offense caught up. It appears to have done so at the right time, with the notable help of Fuiava and offensive lineman Jacob Maiava, who came in from the continent at about the same time.
Fuiava was 8-for-15 for three touchdowns. Neither he nor Sagapolutele was intercepted, but Sagapolutele was sacked four times and Fuiava just once. Kahuku defensive lineman LeBron Williams had 2.5 tackles for loss.
Fuiava said he was able to delve into the playbook extensively in the three weeks since the teams’ last meeting, a 21-13 Sabers victory on the North Shore on Oct. 19 when he had been in Hawaii for less than a week. However, he gave all credit to the defense for Friday’s outcome.
“They held the best team to 15 points,” he said. “Man, they kept getting us back on the field even though we weren’t doing as good as we should’ve.”
Sagapolutele, facing one of Kalihi’s intermittent torrents of rain, tried to answer the sudden swing in momentum but fired three incomplete passes and the Sabers had to punt. Mana Carvalho returned it 15 yards and Kahuku was in business at the Campbell 43.
Running back Malosi Fiatoa capped a six-play drive with an 18-yard touchdown jaunt in which he refused to go down.
Campbell then made some grievous errors.
On Campbell’s ensuing drive, Sagapolutele was called for intentional grounding on a sack by Maximum Fonoimoana. Two procedural penalties forced Campbell to enter punt formation from its own 3. But senior Aisiah Paogofie instead faked it and tried to throw out of Campbell’s end zone to Kalai Carvalho over the middle. His throw was low and Carvalho couldn’t dig it out.
“It wasn’t called by us,” Johnson said of the play. “It’s going to get corrected in practice.”
Kahuku parlayed the position into a Mana Carvalho 8-yard touchdown grab from Fuiava three plays later.
A high snap in punt formation on Campbell’s final drive resulted in a safety and completed the scoring.
Kahuku receiver Aiden Manutai broke free for the go-ahead 65-yard catch-and-run touchdown from Matai Fuiava near the end of the third quarter. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kahuku coach Sterling Carvalho, middle, signaled for an incomplete pass on a Campbell pass on a fake punt out of the end zone in the fourth quarter. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Sterling Carvalho held up the OIA Open championship plaque and flashed "two" for how many games are required to win the state title. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
The Red Raiders have won four of the last five OIA Open championships. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Aiden Manutai, left, and Mana Carvalho celebrated Carvalho's 8-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter that put Kahuku up 31-15. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
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