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Star-Bulletin Sports


Wednesday, December 20, 2000


H A W A I I _P R E P _ S P O R T S

All-State Football


By Ronen Zilberman, Star-Bulletin

Siuaki Livai, coach of the year.



It finally all
added up for
math teacher Livai

Kahuku coach leads Red
Raiders to first state title

Defense
First Team
Second Team
Third Team
Honorable Mention


By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Here's the secret to how Kahuku finally beat St. Louis in the big game:

Art 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."


Chris Kemoe'atu, lineman of the year



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."


 | | |


Pesefea Fiaseu, back of the year



Power + talent
= Super 27

St. Louis' Pesefea Fiaseu and
Kahuku's Chris Kemoe'atu terrorized
opposing teams all season long


By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Pure power.

That'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 FunakiKahuku5-11180Jr.
RBPesefea FiaseuSt. Louis5-11220Sr.
SBRoss DickersonSt. Louis5-11170Jr.
SBMulivai PulaKahuku5-11198Jr.
WRJustin FaimealeleiKaimuki6-2205Sr.
TEKolo KapanuiKamehameha6-3215Sr.
OLSioape LautahaKahuku6-0260Sr.
OLDonovan RaiolaKamehameha6-2280Sr.
OLFiataugalu TaimiFarrington6-3285Sr.
OLLokahi TravisKailua6-3280Sr.
OLKeith YoungSt. Louis6-2310Sr.
UDavid TufagaMaui6-2192Sr.

First-Team Special Teams

PR.J. MorseIolani6-2255Sr.
KEddie RuhlandHilo6-2216Sr.
KRPeter SaronoWaianae5-7170Sr.

First-Team Defense

DLBrandon AlaKamehameha6-3210Jr.
DLLia AtuatasiWaianae5-10270Sr.
DLRaymond ManumaleunaKahuku6-3290Sr.
DLChris Kemoe‘atuKahuku6-5330Sr.
DLLafaele ManupunaSt. Louis6-2250Sr.
LBIkaika CurnanSt. Louis6-0230Sr.
LBDouglas HiuKahuku6-2205Sr.
LBJoseph LobendahnSt. Louis6-0205Sr.
DBRocky AgcaoiliCastle5-9165Sr.
DBBryson AuKahuku5-7160Sr.
DBAaron FranciscoKahuku6-3190Sr.
DBEnoch McKeagueSt. Louis5-9185Sr.


 | | |



Second team

Offense
QBJon FoKamehameha5-10170Sr.
RBAndrew MalafuMaui5-9205Jr.
RBLono MannersWaianae5-10185Sr.
RBJesse SablanWaimea5-10175Sr.
WRMarc EstebanKaiser5-8145Jr.
WRRyan LumKailua5-8165Jr.
OLAbraham ApiladoWaimea6-4280Jr.
OLWillie KavaIolani6-3280Sr.
OLKaeo LealaoCampbell6-2350Jr.
OLBrandon LuamanuMcKinley5-11282Jr.
OLKekoa VincentKamehameha6-2235Jr.
Defense
DLSaia LotuleleiMaui5-11255Sr.
DLLyle MaiavaSt. Louis6-2300Sr.
DLJonathan MapuKahuku6-3260Jr.
DLDonny MateakiIolani6-5235Jr.
LBKila Kamakawiwo‘oleKaimuki6-2200Sr.
LBBrian LaveWaianae5-9190Sr.
LBDan LorenzoKamehameha5-9210Sr.
DBMikey CathcartKailua5-9170Sr.
DBBronson MelemaiIolani5-7160Jr.
DBT.J. MoeSt. Louis6-0215Sr.
DBKekoa ReyesWaianae6-0185Jr.
Others
UTodd LaFountainePunahou6-0180Jr.
PKaine CharlestonHilo5-10160Sr.
KHa‘a BentoSt. Louis6-0175Sr.
KRDaniel InferreraSt. Louis6-1190Sr.


 | | |



Third team

Offense
QBBobby GeorgeSt. Louis5-10175So.
RBVa‘a FonotiMcKinley5-9200Sr.
RBKelena Ho‘okanoKamehameha5-11174Jr.
RBJosh UeleseKailua6-0205Sr.
WRIkaika GooIolani5-7155Jr.
WRSaia HafokaKahuku5-10165Sr.
OLDerek FaaviCampbell6-0250Sr.
OLChris LumauagMililani6-0280Jr.
OLMose MoseMcKinley6-3245Sr.
OLDaniel PaleaCastle6-0200Sr.
OLSamson SateleKailua6-3205Jr.
Defense
DLTolifili LiufauSt. Louis6-2260So.
DLKaulana KalunaKaimuki5-10250Jr.
DLAlbert MaafalaKamehameha6-2250Jr.
DLSiota MaluWaianae6-4280Sr.
LBKeola DaogHilo5-10180Jr.
LBKeaka KamaiWaianae5-10200Sr.
LBSemisi LivaiKahuku6-0200Sr.
LBBrandon PerreiraWaimea5-7155Sr.
DBCalvin BrownWaianae6-1180Sr.
DBPreston LingatonKamehameha5-7162Jr.
DBLawrence SorianoMcKinley5-10170Sr.
Others
UMarcus SalanoaKahuku5-9185Sr.
PBen VillaflorAiea5-8155Sr.
KNolan MirandaCastle5-8145Jr.
KRKimo TerryMcKinley5-7170Jr.


 | | |



Honorable mention

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.

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.



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