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KIF FOOTBALL ROUNDUP: Waimea Trips Kaimuki 48-6 In Season Opener

Waimea was the only one of three KIF football teams to win on the first weekend of the season.

The Menehunes dropped visiting Kaimuki from Oahu 48-6 at Hanapepe Stadium in front of a big home crowd Saturday. The game, however, was delayed nearly two hours while players and coaches waited for KIF officials to make their way to the westside of the Garden Island from Vidinha Stadium in Lihue, where they worked visiting Pearl City’s 33-22 afternoon victory over Kauai High.

Players from Waimea and Kaimuki go up in an attempt to grab a pass on Saturday during the Menehunes 48-6 victory. (Image credit: Kauai correspondent)

According to those KIF officials, two Pearl City players were ejected after what they said was a near bench-clearing melee.

Both Waimea and Kauai are short on varsity players this year. The Red Raiders have more than 20 on the roster, but only 17 suited up for Saturday’s game. There were 20 players on Waimea’s roster in their victory over the Bulldogs.

After Kaimuki took an early 6-0 lead, the Menehunes methodically dismantled the Bulldogs’ offense.

Waimea answered on the ensuing kickoff for a 7-6 lead and then piled up the points in the second half behind a solid running game.

Kaili Arakaki scored two third quarter touchdowns and also had an interception for the Menehunes.

Also scoring in the game for Waimea were Haveo Akeo and Kenny Okeiger on TD passes from quarterback Kyka Linoz, and Okeiger, Brennen Fernandez and Aukai Emayo added TD runs.

Another KIF team, Kapaa, was in action on Saturday. The Warriors visited the Radford High School field on Oahu to play Aiea and got bounced 47-17.
Losing to the OIA Division I defending champion Na Alii was a tough blow for Kapaa, which went all the way to the D-II state championship in 2021 and plan to move up to D-I when Hawaii’s five leagues make their state classification declarations at the end of August.
Pono Na-0 threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Canaan Coleman, and Kahiapo Kuhaulua Leong scored a 3-yard rushing TD for the Warriors.
Defensively, big Kapaa contributors were Nash Burkart with a fumble recovery and Solomone Malafu with an interception.
All three Kauai teams will be in action again this Saturday. The Warriors meet what is likely to be an even stronger opponent in last year’s Open Division state runner-up Saint Louis on Saturday at 1 p.m.
At 4:30 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium, the Red Raiders host Baldwin of Maui.
Then, in a night game, Waimea visits King Kekaulike of Maui at 7 p.m.

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