Kahuku's Livai isn't leaving

Coaching at the state's most prominent public high school football program has its rewards.

For Siuaki Livai, algebra teacher and football guru, there's also been a price. Yesterday, Livai quelled rumors that he has resigned from his coaching post at Kahuku.

"It's not true. And I don't intend to. I don't know if some people are unhappy. But I'm glad you called," said Livai, who recently guided the Red Raiders to their fourth state championship in six years.

Livai suspects a few irate individuals for rumor-mongering, but doesn't know specifically who they are.

"Most of the parents are good. There's always gonna be one or two who are unhappy and you can't please everyone," he said. "What keeps me going is that the rest are good and positive."

Kahuku suited up about 80 players this year. In previous years, the roster count was as high as 100. With large numbers and expectations comes a high degree of stress at the North Shore school.

"I'm used to it, and I can block it out of my mind," he said. Kahuku edged Punahou 28-21 to win the Division I state title on Dec. 2.

"I don't get on cloud nine. A lot of people in the community enjoy it, but sometimes it feels like I don't get to enjoy it," Livai said.

Another rumor was the possible ineligibility of a key player in the states. However, the player was not eligible only for the first week of the tourney. He sat out the following week with an injury before returning to the field.

"We have a lot of great students, but sometimes there's more focus on the ones who get in trouble," Livai said.