Next fall, Jon Kobayashi may do something he's never done -- enjoy a Waimea football game as just another fan. Waimea’s Kobayashi hands
football reins to PereiraBy Jason Kaneshiro
jkaneshiro@starbulletin.comAfter playing at Waimea and coaching the Menehunes for the last 10 seasons, Kobayashi has decided to step away from the program he helped bring to prominence on the state level.
"It's going to be tough," Kobayashi said. "I've been involved (with football) since I was a freshman in high school.
"It's been a long time since I haven't been involved in a spring training or a summer camp. Maybe I'll get the opportunity to actually sit down and watch Waimea High School play. I've never done that before."
Waimea won 10 consecutive Kauai Interscholastic Federation championships under Kobayashi's watch and advanced to the semifinals of the state football tournament three of the last four years.
Kobayashi, 34, cited the need to pick up credits in order to move up the teaching ladder and a desire to spend time with his young family as factors in his decision. He will remain a special-motivation teacher at Waimea working with at-risk students.
"When I first started it was supposed to be five years and it went to 10, and I'm still a class-one teacher," he said. "Somehow I need to pick up some credits. Like everyone else in Hawaii, cost of living is expensive. My wife and I just built a house, we're just starting a family, and we just felt this was the perfect time."
Waimea athletic director James Kitamura said junior varsity coach Liko Pereira will take over the varsity program next season, and said the transition should be a smooth one.
"The system is pretty much intact," Kitamura said.
Said Kobayashi: "We looked at it and the future was pretty good for Waimea. They have a good core of young men they can work with next year, so we felt that it would be a good time to step down."
Kobayashi's relationship with Waimea football began as a freshman offensive and defensive lineman with the Menehunes. He graduated from Waimea in 1986 and continued his playing career at Linfield College in Oregon. He returned as an assistant coach, and two years later became head coach at age 23.
"That was scary, but the good thing is we had a lot of support here with the assistants and the athletic support staff," Kobayashi said.
"Coaching has taught me a lot about life. As much as the young men grow, I think I've grown even more. It's helped me become a better person."
Last roundup: The high school football season isn't done quite yet.
The Hawaii Union Builders Goodwill Football Classic, set for Friday at Aloha Stadium, features some of Oahu's top seniors. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The East team is made of players from the Oahu Interscholastic Association's Eastern Division and St. Louis, Pac-Five and Iolani of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. Seniors from OIA West schools, Kamehameha, Punahou and Damien comprise the West squad. (See rosters at left).
Kaimuki's Ronald Oyama is the head coach of the East squad and Aiea's Wendell Say is the coach of the West team.
Schools seeking coaches: The Moanalua and Waialua athletic departments are seeking applicants for the position of head football coach.
Both schools are accepting written resumes only from those interested in filling the positions vacated by Jose Guevara at Moanalua and Donald Capello at Waialua. Guevara's contract was not renewed by Moanalua and Capello stepped down at Waialua for personal reasons.
Resumes for the Moanalua position should be sent to Moanalua High School, 2825 Ala Ilima St., Honolulu, HI, 96818, Attn: Dana Dias, athletic director.
Those interested in the Waialua job can send resumes to Waialua High School, 67-160 Farrington Hwy., Waialua, HI, 96791, Attn: Sharon Yoshimura, athletic director.
The application deadline for both positions is Dec. 31.
St. Joseph tourney opens: St. Joseph High School's Cardinal Basketball Classic runs tomorrow through Saturday at Hilo's Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The host Cardinals are joined in the eight-team field by Hawaii Prep, Hilo, Waiakea, King Kekaulike, Kaahumanu Hou, Maui, and American High of Fremont, Calif.
The first round begins with King Kekaulike taking on Waiakea at 3:30 p.m. American plays HPA at 5 p.m., followed by Maui vs. Hilo at 6:30 p.m. St. Joseph takes on Kaahumanu Hou in the feature game at 8 p.m.
The tournament continues with consolation bracket and semifinal games Friday and the finals Saturday.
Recruiting mania: It's nearing that time when recruiting junkies begin that sacred winter ritual of following where the state's top prep football players will continue their careers.
All of the speculation will end with the national letter of intent signing days. Junior college transfers can sign with four-year schools starting next Wednesday. The first day high school seniors can sign binding letters of intent is Feb. 5.
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Friday, 7:30 p.m., at Aloha Stadium Hawaii Union Builders
Goodwill Football Classic
East
Quarterbacks: Ranson Kepa, Kailua; Bobby George, St. Louis; McShane Dator, Pac-Five.Running backs: Nathan Leaver, Kailua; Kawika Sebay, Castle; Justin Cabansag, St. Louis.
Receivers: Waikoloa Noa, Kaiser; Shane Butcher, St. Louis; David Kaihenui, Kailua; Joshua Bumanglag, McKinley; Ryan Leong, Pac-Five; Anthony Holyfield, Roosevelt; Dionte Nomaaea, Farrington; Isaiah Iaea, McKinley.
Offensive linemen: Raymond Taumalolo, Kaimuki; Joe Napeahi, Kahuku; Xavier Ho'olulu, Kailua; D.J. Tano, Iolani; Michael Lafaele, Farrington; Pat So'oalo, Kailua; Jonah Navarro, Castle; Kitione Kolone, Farrington; Jordan Savusa, Pac-Five; Jeremy Infererra, St. Louis; Taase Jennings, McKinley.
Defensive linemen: Vili Fonokalafi, Kailua; Jake Talamoa, McKinley; Naymon Frank, Roosevelt; Quin Ah You, Kahuku; Soge Pua'auli, Farrington; Brandyn McCall, Pac-Five; Moku Pilialoha, Pac-Five; Soli Lefiti, Castle; Tolifili Liufau, St. Louis.
Linebackers: Kaulike Kalama, McKinley; Daniel Tautofi, Kaimuki; Zach Gregory, Kalani; Lui Suiaonoa, Kalaheo; Cory Daniel, Castle; Eddie Campbell, Kailua; Paulo Feagai, Farrington.
Defensive backs: George Perry, Kahuku; Bryson Borges, Roosevelt; Jacob Ramos, Castle; Jaimie Rego, Moanalua; Sam Spurrier, Kahuku; Blake Wong, Iolani; Kyle Juliano, Kahuku; Viliami Nauahi, Kahuku; Darin Fujimoto, Kaimuki.
Head coach: Ronald Oyama, Kaimuki.
Assistant coaches: Don Botelho, Pac-Five; Wendell Look, Iolani; Nelson Maeda, Castle; Randall Okimoto, Farrington; Lester Parrilla, Roosevelt; David Tanuvasa, McKinley.
West
Quarterbacks: Sean Fujimoto, Mililani; Jonah Canionero, Campbell; Joshua Perez, Leilehua.Running backs: Jon Sanborn, Leilehua; Ikaika Asinsin, Nanakuli; Andrew Hale, Waipahu; Kahe Santos, Kamehameha; Mapa Malupo, Campbell.
Slotbacks: Richard Rodrigues, Aiea; Todd Dickerson, Waipahu; Billy Barbour, Mililani; Larry Ladao, Waialua.
Receivers: Josh Vierra, Kamehameha; Alii Basham, Campbell; Daylen Hale, Leilehua; Nate Adams, Mililani.
Offensive linemen: Levi Wyman, Aiea; Matai Ware, Aiea; Shane Kealoha, Nanakuli; Reyn Kaupiko, Kamehameha; Christian Meheula, Damien; Chesty Pulu, Radford; Brandon Rodd, Aiea; Sean Amion, Campbell; Kurt Respicio, Mililani; Chaz Kekipi, Punahou.
Punter/kicker: Kalani Hoopii, Waianae.
Defensive linemen: Don Laulu, Aiea; JP Kennedy, Kamehameha; PJ San Nicolas, Leilehua; Nickolas Soo, Kamehameha; Dave Tausa, Waipahu; Daryl Twillie, Mililani; Alexis Mulu, Aiea; Keone Taaca, Waianae.
Linebackers: Kaeo Drummundo, Kamehameha; Jose Santos, Mililani; Thurston Ulufale, Waianae; Nalu Jones, Leilehua; Kevin Kauweloa, Waianae; Jerome Kon, Waipahu; Rustin Saole, Waipahu; Micah Lau, Kamehameha.
Defensive backs: Samson Chung, Aiea; Jaton Santos, Mililani; Calvin Taumua-Martinez, Aiea; Clint Blackman, Mililani; Aaron Kahaloa, Kamehameha; Richard Shinn, Pearl City; Keone Tawata, Radford.
Head coach: Wendell Say, Aiea.
Assistant coaches: James Millwood, Mililani; Kale Ane, Punahou; Kanani Souza, Kamehameha; Darren Hernandez, Kapolei; Jake Kawamata, Leilehua; Sean Saturnio, Waipahu; Punahou Aina, Aiea; Mika Liilii, Aiea; Eddie Montecillo, Aiea.
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