BARRY MARKOWITZ / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-BULLETIN Before moving to Oahu, Tevita Finau had always put sports before school. Now at Kahuku, the talented receiver is putting more emphasis on succeeding in the classroom.

Red Raiders’
Dynamic Duo

Cousins Tevita Finau and Spencer
Hafoka are ready to answer the
call for Kahuku in Friday's
state semifinal game

---

By Nick Abramo
nabramo@starbulletin.com

For Tevita Finau, paying attention to schoolwork is a lot more important than taking a weekday nap away from campus.

First Hawaiian Bank State Football Championships Division I Semifinals, Friday, Nov. 28 >> Farrington (7-4-1) vs. Kahuku (12-0), at Aloha Stadium, 5 p.m. >> Baldwin (10-1) vs. Saint Louis (8-1), at Aloha Stadium, 8 p.m. Championship, Friday, Dec. 5 >> 8 p.m., Aloha Stadium Division II Semifinals, Friday, Nov. 28 >> Damien (4-5) vs. Waimea (6-2), at Vidinha Stadium, 7:30 p.m. >> Lahainaluna (2-7-1) vs. Aiea (8-2), at Kamehameha's Kunuiakea Stadium, 7:30 p.m. Championship, Friday, Dec. 5 >> 5 p.m., Aloha Stadium

But it wasn't always that way.

Finau -- a highly talented multi-sport athlete -- has become enlightened to the benefits of academia since transferring to Kahuku from Maui High School this year.

As a matter of fact, this is his second transfer. He started out as a freshman at Lahainaluna.

"For some reason, a lot of times I wouldn't even go to school (at Lahainaluna)," said Finau, a senior tight end for the Red Raiders football team. "I'd just go into town and miss classes, maybe go sleep somewhere. I went to Maui for mostly academic reasons, but I was lazy and didn't do my assignments there, either."

Thanks to a suggestion from his uncle, Kahuku counselor Finau Hafoka, Tevita Finau moved to Oahu and adjusted well.

Athletic director Joe Whitford and head football coach Siuaki Livai both say Finau has improved tremendously in the classroom.

"Before, it was always sports first," Finau said. "This year, I'm noticing how important it is to get good grades, too."

Previously, Finau was best known athletically for helping Maui to a strong showing in the state basketball tournament in the spring.

Now, he's Kahuku's Mr. Clutch. He caught the winning touchdown with 20 seconds left in the Oahu Interscholastic Association championship game against Kailua.

But there has been one more benefit for migrating to Oahu's North Shore. He moved in with his uncle and has become good friends with teammate and cousin Spencer Hafoka.

Hafoka is a gifted and speedy junior receiver who would probably double his output if the Red Raiders threw the ball more.

But that's the beauty of having both of these players on a run-oriented team. They're ready and able and always pose a threat to opponents, forcing them away from loading up against the run.

"Spencer is a true athlete, our most outstanding receiver, a gamebreaker who runs the best routes and is most dangerous after the catch," Livai said.

"And it's really a blessing to have Finau. He could get by with size alone (6-foot-5, 224), but he also has big, sure hands and good feet from his basketball training and he is an outstanding blocker."

It's possible Livai is saving these guys for when the Red Raiders (12-0) need them most. They play Farrington (7-4-1) in an 8 p.m. state semifinal Friday at Aloha Stadium.

The coach only partially deflected a question as to whether they'll get more touches in the stretch run: "We haven't used them that much, lately, but with two games left, we'll be looking at what our best plays are. They are two of the keys to our team and when we use them, it maximizes our abilities."

According to Whitford, Hafoka may become an athlete to watch in track and field this spring. On the JV team last year, he competed in the 100, 200, 4x100, long jump and triple jump. He was also part of the JV basketball championship team last winter and may move up to varsity.

But football is Hafoka's top priority.

"I like running with the ball after a catch and avoiding people, making moves and getting in the open," Hafoka said. "I run track to keep up with offseason training."

Hafoka played quarterback for a while as a sophomore, but is more comfortable at receiver "because there's not as much to worry about."

He's following the lead of brothers Saia and Moana, both of whom played receiver for the Red Raiders. Saia was on the state title team in 2000, while Moana was on the 2000 and '01 state championship teams.

"I want to do what my brothers did, win the states and be known as a hard worker," he said.

Finau prefers football over basketball and loves blocking more than receiving.

"You're taking care of one of your own boys, that's what gets me excited when I block," he said. "Football is more fun. It's a rush to play in front of family and friends."

Finau will likely be a big plus for the Red Raiders basketball team, which is also expecting the return of football players Al Afalava, Toriano Taulogo and Jeremy Perry to the squad.

"And the JV team won the title, so there should be a big improvement," he said.

Finau and Hafoka still have some football business to attend to, and if critical offensive situations arise, it shouldn't come as a surprise if Livai calls on them to get the job done.