The field at 'Iolani School is named in Eddie Hamada's honor, but the legendary coach's legacy extends well beyond the campus borders.

Hamada died at his home yesterday morning, leaving behind an indelible imprint on Hawaii high school sports and on the lives of those he coached. He was 81.

“;He was the most decent man alive,”; his wife, Cynthia, said last night.

As a longtime head football coach and athletic director, Hamada, a 1946 Iolani graduate, upheld the “;One Team”; tradition set by Father Kenneth Bray.

Hamada led 'Iolani to the 1968 Interscholastic League of Honolulu championship and added another title in 1972. The Red Raiders reached their lone Prep Bowl in 1980, when Hamada and Waianae head coach—and fellow 'Iolani graduate—Larry Ginoza dueled to a 7-7 tie.

Hamada stepped down as head coach in 1987 and continued to serve as athletic director until his retirement in 1992.

“;He was the 'One Team' spirit,”; 'Iolani athletic director Carl Schroers said. “;Father Bray started it; without Eddie Hamada, it wouldn't have gone as far as it did.”;

Current Raiders head coach Wendell Look, a 1978 'Iolani graduate, played defensive end under Hamada and is among his pupils who extend his influence as coaches.

“;He taught us well,”; said Look, who has led the Raiders to four of the last five Division II state championships. “;You couldn't find a more genuine, nice, caring person than him. He was a Red Raider at heart, but he cared about everybody. ... His influence goes way beyond 'Iolani.”;

Although Hamada didn't go out of his way to bring attention to himself, “;he had a presence about him,”; Schroers said.

“;You'd go into a room, and it could be a big dinner, and everybody in the room knew Eddie Hamada.”;

ILH executive director Don Botelho struck up a friendship with Hamada stretching nearly 50 years even as they coached against each other.

“;He was like a brother,”; said Botelho, who coached at Damien and Pac-Five. “;We wanted to beat each other, but we had so much respect for each other. He's going to be dearly missed by so many people. ... I just wish there were more people like Eddie Hamada.”;

Funeral arrangements are pending.