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Wednesday, December 20, 2000
It finally all Here's the secret to how Kahuku finally beat St. Louis in the big game:
added up for
math teacher Livai
Kahuku coach leads Red
Defense
Raiders to first state title
First Team
Second Team
Third Team
Honorable MentionBy Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin
Coach Siuaki Livai spent every night the week before the 2000 Chevron State Football final watching movies with his wife.
"Usually he takes care of his business at the field and he comes home and we talk story and laugh. But this time was different," Fusi Livai said.
"I stayed up with him, looking at all that film. Sometimes I don't fully understand the game and it makes me dizzy, but I beared with it because I knew how much he wanted it for the kids."
So the secret really wasn't a secret at all. One of the reasons St. Louis dominated Hawaii high school football for 14 years is tireless preparation.
It's hard to outwork the Crusader coaching staff, but Livai and his assistants did their homework.
At some point in all that film watching, the math teacher deduced that the way to stop St. Louis was to stop its running game -- and he and defensive coordinator Byron Beatty came up with a plan to do exactly that.
The players executed it, and Livai's diligence paid off in a 26-20 Kahuku victory that some say is the most significant outcome ever in a Hawaii high school football game.
The 40-year-old Kahuku alumnus led the Red Raiders to their first ever state championship in his fifth year as head coach.
The victory ended a 15-year private school stranglehold on the Prep Bowl and state championships.
Not only did Kahuku finally live up to its promise and potential, but its victory showed that persistence can pay off.
For those accomplishments, Livai is an easy choice for the Star-Bulletin's Coach of the Year.
"It means a lot. It was a dream, a goal," the former Red Raider running back and linebacker said. "It means a lot."
Of course, it took talent on the field for Kahuku to win. That's why eight Red Raiders, including Lineman of the Year Chris Kemoe'atu, are among the Star-Bulletin's Super 27 All-State first team.That makes it easy to take Livai's contributions for granted. But one who should know, St. Louis coach Cal Lee, said Livai was a big factor.
"He doesn't get as much credit as he deserves," Lee said. "When you come in second a lot, people question you. Whenever you have lots of talent, people say it has nothing to do with coaching. But you still have to put it all together.
"And his staff has always done a wonderful job."
Livai said he tries to adjust his coaching philosophy to the players he has.
"My style is to teach through understanding, let the players be students of the game," he said. "I let each individual go as far as he can and go from there.
"It's like math. There's only one right answer, but there might be different ways to get there."
Livai was born in Tonga and came to Hawaii in 1970 when he was 10.
Natural ability in math and football runs in the Livai family.
"My mom and dad are math teachers. I have cousins with PhD.s in it. It's what I know," he said. And then, laughing. "I hate all other subjects."
Livai got a degree in math education from Brigham Young-Hawaii. He began teaching at Kahuku in 1992.
When not teaching or coaching, Siuaki spends his time with Fusi, (whom he met when both were Kahuku students), and their 11 children, including five foster children.
"I guess it's obvious I love kids," he said.
"And I love this community. It's truly the best at supporting its football team. You can't ask for better. They deserve it."
Power + talent Pure power.
= Super 27
St. Louis' Pesefea Fiaseu and
Kahuku's Chris Kemoe'atu terrorized
opposing teams all season longBy Dave Reardon
Star-BulletinThat's the only way to describe the Star-Bulletin's Super 27 All-State football team for 2000.
At 6-foot-5 and 330 pounds, Lineman of the Year Chris Kemoe'atu was brute force personified, whether he played on defense or offense for state champion Kahuku.
"You put anyone in front of him, and he will dominate him," Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said of Kemoe'atu.
And he was quick enough to recover two fumbles in the final victory against St. Louis, despite a swollen knee.
Kemoe'atu, whose future appears to be as an offensive lineman, is in the process of taking trips to Utah, Colorado, USC and Hawaii.
Back of the Year Pesefea Fiaseu has already made a verbal commitment to Hawaii.
The bruising runner and blocker looks like a perfect fit for the Warriors' one-back run-and-shoot offense -- especially since he thrived in a very similar attack at St. Louis.
A terror on the field, Fiaseu is considerate, friendly and a born leader off of it. The Crusader student body president and player of several instruments says he derives the most pleasure from watching teammates improve.
This was a banner season for big, powerful linemen on both sides of the ball, and the first team reflects it.
The Red Raiders, with eight choices, and the Crusaders, with seven dominate the first-team.
But this was not an all-state tournament team; seven first-team players did not participate in the state tournament. The same could be said for 13 on the second team.
The Star-Bulletin all-state teams were selected after consultation with coaches from every league.
First-team Offense
QB ‘Inoke Funaki Kahuku 5-11 180 Jr. RB Pesefea Fiaseu St. Louis 5-11 220 Sr. SB Ross Dickerson St. Louis 5-11 170 Jr. SB Mulivai Pula Kahuku 5-11 198 Jr. WR Justin Faimealelei Kaimuki 6-2 205 Sr. TE Kolo Kapanui Kamehameha 6-3 215 Sr. OL Sioape Lautaha Kahuku 6-0 260 Sr. OL Donovan Raiola Kamehameha 6-2 280 Sr. OL Fiataugalu Taimi Farrington 6-3 285 Sr. OL Lokahi Travis Kailua 6-3 280 Sr. OL Keith Young St. Louis 6-2 310 Sr. U David Tufaga Maui 6-2 192 Sr.
First-Team Special Teams
P R.J. Morse Iolani 6-2 255 Sr. K Eddie Ruhland Hilo 6-2 216 Sr. KR Peter Sarono Waianae 5-7 170 Sr.
First-Team Defense
DL Brandon Ala Kamehameha 6-3 210 Jr. DL Lia Atuatasi Waianae 5-10 270 Sr. DL Raymond Manumaleuna Kahuku 6-3 290 Sr. DL Chris Kemoe‘atu Kahuku 6-5 330 Sr. DL Lafaele Manupuna St. Louis 6-2 250 Sr. LB Ikaika Curnan St. Louis 6-0 230 Sr. LB Douglas Hiu Kahuku 6-2 205 Sr. LB Joseph Lobendahn St. Louis 6-0 205 Sr. DB Rocky Agcaoili Castle 5-9 165 Sr. DB Bryson Au Kahuku 5-7 160 Sr. DB Aaron Francisco Kahuku 6-3 190 Sr. DB Enoch McKeague St. Louis 5-9 185 Sr.
Second team
Offense QB Jon Fo Kamehameha 5-10 170 Sr. RB Andrew Malafu Maui 5-9 205 Jr. RB Lono Manners Waianae 5-10 185 Sr. RB Jesse Sablan Waimea 5-10 175 Sr. WR Marc Esteban Kaiser 5-8 145 Jr. WR Ryan Lum Kailua 5-8 165 Jr. OL Abraham Apilado Waimea 6-4 280 Jr. OL Willie Kava Iolani 6-3 280 Sr. OL Kaeo Lealao Campbell 6-2 350 Jr. OL Brandon Luamanu McKinley 5-11 282 Jr. OL Kekoa Vincent Kamehameha 6-2 235 Jr. Defense DL Saia Lotulelei Maui 5-11 255 Sr. DL Lyle Maiava St. Louis 6-2 300 Sr. DL Jonathan Mapu Kahuku 6-3 260 Jr. DL Donny Mateaki Iolani 6-5 235 Jr. LB Kila Kamakawiwo‘ole Kaimuki 6-2 200 Sr. LB Brian Lave Waianae 5-9 190 Sr. LB Dan Lorenzo Kamehameha 5-9 210 Sr. DB Mikey Cathcart Kailua 5-9 170 Sr. DB Bronson Melemai Iolani 5-7 160 Jr. DB T.J. Moe St. Louis 6-0 215 Sr. DB Kekoa Reyes Waianae 6-0 185 Jr. Others U Todd LaFountaine Punahou 6-0 180 Jr. P Kaine Charleston Hilo 5-10 160 Sr. K Ha‘a Bento St. Louis 6-0 175 Sr. KR Daniel Inferrera St. Louis 6-1 190 Sr.
Third team
Offense QB Bobby George St. Louis 5-10 175 So. RB Va‘a Fonoti McKinley 5-9 200 Sr. RB Kelena Ho‘okano Kamehameha 5-11 174 Jr. RB Josh Uelese Kailua 6-0 205 Sr. WR Ikaika Goo Iolani 5-7 155 Jr. WR Saia Hafoka Kahuku 5-10 165 Sr. OL Derek Faavi Campbell 6-0 250 Sr. OL Chris Lumauag Mililani 6-0 280 Jr. OL Mose Mose McKinley 6-3 245 Sr. OL Daniel Palea Castle 6-0 200 Sr. OL Samson Satele Kailua 6-3 205 Jr. Defense DL Tolifili Liufau St. Louis 6-2 260 So. DL Kaulana Kaluna Kaimuki 5-10 250 Jr. DL Albert Maafala Kamehameha 6-2 250 Jr. DL Siota Malu Waianae 6-4 280 Sr. LB Keola Daog Hilo 5-10 180 Jr. LB Keaka Kamai Waianae 5-10 200 Sr. LB Semisi Livai Kahuku 6-0 200 Sr. LB Brandon Perreira Waimea 5-7 155 Sr. DB Calvin Brown Waianae 6-1 180 Sr. DB Preston Lingaton Kamehameha 5-7 162 Jr. DB Lawrence Soriano McKinley 5-10 170 Sr. Others U Marcus Salanoa Kahuku 5-9 185 Sr. P Ben Villaflor Aiea 5-8 155 Sr. K Nolan Miranda Castle 5-8 145 Jr. KR Kimo Terry McKinley 5-7 170 Jr.
QB: B.J. Bernard, Kaiser; Joel Botelho, Castle; Kelika Higa, St. Louis; Taleki Mailau, Kailua; Abraham Pavich, McKinley. RB: Earvin Atuaia, Kahuku; Teo Bennett, Iolani; Brian Daniels, Mililani; Chad Gerard, Maui; Chanceton Mirafuentes, Kaimuki; Kalani Miyashiro, Kapaa; Jamison Rabaino, Campbell; Kaleo Segovia, Castle; A.J. Smith, Kahuku; Billy Sullivan, Damien. SB: Chris Antonio, Aiea; Davin Nakasato, St. Louis. WR: Mike Akiu, Kamehameha; Keoni Doo, Kaiser; Graen Enriquez, Waianae; Kainoa Fernandez, St. Louis; Matthew Friedman, Pac-Five; Edsley Hicks, McKinley; Peter Higa, Baldwin; James Kammerer, Kahuku; Sanoe Mokuahi, St. Louis; Vai Napaa, Kahuku; Frank Rivers, St. Louis; Nainoa Spencer, Kamehameha; Joshua Tomas, Leilehua; James Yates, Kamehameha. OL: Robert Badua, Waimea; Nalei Beazley, Kamehameha; Kahai LaCount, Kailua; Enoka Lucas, Kamehameha, Ryan Shimabukuro, St. Louis; Kalani Siliga, Hilo; Darren Tautofi, Kaimuki; Charles Tartt, Maui. Honorable mention
DL: Teevale Afoa, McKinley; Perry Alafoe, Waianae; Makana Ale, Maui; Bryson Avilla, Waianae; Jordan Epenesa, Radford; Wilson Fatongia, St. Louis; William Gundaker, Lahainaluna; Mike Koerte, Waimea; Alasi Matauita, Leilehua; Ikaika Noguchi, St. Louis; John Zachman, Mililani. LB: Dallas DeFries, Kamehameha; Alika Durlington, Pac-Five; Kawika Kahui, Baldwin; Ammon Kaleo, Kailua; Jeremy Kam, Moanalua; Steven Kumai, Kahuku; Jeremy Leota, Waipahu; Joe McKeague, Castle; Kaipo Patoc, Mililani; Brad Takamori, Iolani. DB: Chad Adviento, St. Louis; Jeff Amas, St. Louis; Michael Baji, Hilo; Kenneth Carroll, Maui; Alex Faumui, Farrington; Armand Kalani, Campbell; Matthew K-Aloha, McKinley; Jared Prestidge, Castle; Bryan Tucker-Salas, Aiea.
U: Ferron Fonoimoana, Kahuku; Ryan Gleed, Hawaii Prep; Tamatoa Hackney, Punahou; Brenton Harbottle, Kailua; Randall Isomura, Waialua; Ty Jarrett, Pearl City; Anthony Ornellas, Kalaheo. K: David Rivera, St. Anthony. KR: Micah Alexander, Farrington; Gino Gosiaco, St. Louis; Nainoa Kuna, Punahou; Tyler Perkins, Kamehameha.