Hit hard by graduation and the departure of their head coach, Doug Semones, for the University of Hawaii coaching staff, the Red Raiders will field a team of new faces in tomorrow night's Aloha Stadium opener against Waipahu.
Gone are all-state running backs Ken Faavae and Isaac Aalona, who combined for 1,150 yards and 16 touchdowns last year. Jason Keo, who was killed in an accident this summer before he could accept a football scholarship at Brigham Young University, was the major offensive factor in Kahuku's drive through the OIA playoffs.
Two-time Red Conference all-star quarterback Kolo Funaki, considered the best at his position during Semones' eight-year tenure at Kahuku, is also gone along with the OIA's best linebacker corps.
It's no surprise that, on paper, Waianae emerges as the team to beat in this year's campaign.
The Seariders have their unrelenting triple option back in place with an added dimension of outside speed. The defense is as solid as ever.
Campbell, with the powerful arm of quarterback Kaleopa Kaleopa, also will be a conference title contender. Waipahu and Farrington might be teams that could surprise.
Last year's regular-season records are in parentheses:
"We have a lot of good running backs," said Taaca.
They are fullback Josh Meyer, Esau Fenderson and West Keliikipi.
The 5-10, 190-pound Meyer is still the bull of the Leeward coast but baby bull Keliikipi (6-feet, 200 pounds) provides a teeth-rattling followup punch.
Fenderson, a senior transfer from Mililani, injects an element of speed to the outside that nicely complements the pounding of Meyer and Keliikipi.
Mike Simpson, a former running back, is Waianae's new starting quarterback.
Waianae also has a capable receiver returning in senior Ikaika Gilman.
The Seariders' defense is tough once again with experienced players like second-team all-state defensive lineman Trinidy Freitas, a 6-1, 190-pound senior, and promising White Sosene, a 6-2, 260-pound junior.
Despite their losses, the Red Raiders should be legitimate contenders for a fourth straight league title.
But Livai, Kahuku's running backs coach last year, said that will be an arduous quest. They have only one player who regularly started last year.
That starter is Alvin Manutai, a 6-1, 237-pound senior middle linebacker. He plays on the side of the ball that Livai believes is Kahuku's strength.
On the defensive line, Kahuku has Maake Kemoeatu (6-4, 240 pounds) at end, and Marvin Toelupe (5-10, 240 pounds) at tackle.
Succeeding Funaki at quarterback is Robert Thompson, a junior from the junior varsity squad. Vai Funaki, Kolo's younger brother, is the understudy.
On the offensive line, Matt Parkhurst (6-2, 276 pounds) is the key man.
Kaleopa Kaleopa, the senior quarterback who came to Campbell from American Samoa with very little football know-how, is now the critical player in Campbell's season.
"He has hit the weights real hard and is 235 pounds this year - up from 175 last year," said Hernandez.
"He had a gun for an arm last year but, with the extra size, he has a real cannon."
The Sabers will be in the spread again but they hope to run the ball effectively with senior Clifford Russell.
On defense the Sabers return Red Conference senior all-star Derek Zoller.
At safety is Danilo Viloria, a senior who has been starting since his freshman year.
The Marauders have four returning starters: a quarterback, a linebacker and two secondary players.
Kaiser Seumalo, who was the fourth-leading quarterback in the Red Conference last season with 759 yards and six touchdown passes, ran for two touchdowns and threw for another in a 25-24 loss to Pac-Five last weekend.
"He's developed into a good leader and he's run the ball a little more which puts more pressure on the defense," said Delos Reyes. "And he has a real good arm."
The Marauders have three good slotbacks in Edward Austria, Chris Chang and Chad Candido.
Delos Reyes, who has 48 players (including those on probation) said this will be the first season he's had to ask his players to go both ways.
The Surfriders return only five starters.
Johnson, who was Kahuku's offensive coordinator for the past several years, succeeds Jerry Fornelia, who has moved to Maui.
Kailua returns Josh Fuller, one of the three backs who led the Surfriders to the White Conference title, and linebacker Kui Fox, who helped the team lead the White in defense.
The Governors lost an outstanding quarterback in Corey Shippy but they still have their 1995 all-state wide receiver Paulson Leong.
Leong is a versatile athlete who can also run and return the ball.
Leagatonu Tuala, a junior, will be the starting quarterback this season and he will have a very big line to protect him.
The line includes seniors Presley Fuamatu (6-2, 315 pounds) and Tuataumua Tamaalevea (6-1, 340 pounds).
The Rough Riders have 11 returning starters - seven of them on defense.
Defense is Roosevelt's strength with White Conference all-star lineman Dustin Low, a 6-1, 205-pound defensive end.
Offensively, the Rough Riders have Jonathan Kahoohilihala, a tackle who goes 6-4, 270 pounds, to power the line.
Mike Sakai, a junior, will succeed Aaron Ho, who led the White Conference in passing last season.