McKinley hires former linebacker

McKinley has welcomed back one of its own by hiring Joseph Cho as head football coach.

Cho has coached and taught in the Oregon school system for 38 years. He visits the islands every summer and has three children with ties to the University of Hawaii.

His older two children attend UH, and his youngest daughter is planning to follow suit. They all felt like Hawaii is home, he said, especially after Cho's wife, Wendy, died two years ago.

“;They feel a lot closer to her when they're in Hawaii,”; he said. “;Especially my youngest daughter.”;

Cho replaces Bobby Grey, who will remain on staff as the offensive coordinator.

Viela playing for Storm

It was Maiki Viela who was at the controls, navigating the Lahainaluna girls basketball team to its first state title this year.

Now, the junior point guard is on the road again. This time, she's playing for the California Storm, the elite club team that plays in top tournaments nationally.

Viela will play for the club's Team Taurasi, a squad named after four-time All-WNBA player Diana Taurasi, who is the team's sponsor.

The Rainbow Wahine's Shawna-Lei Kuehu, a former Punahou standout and three-time Star-Bulletin player of the year, is the only other player from Hawaii who has played at this level.

“;I'm excited. It's a great opportunity,”; Viela said before boarding a plane yesterday.