Kohala High School basketball legend Layden Kauka received one of the most prestigious awards in Hawaii sports last week.

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Kohala High School basketball legend Layden Kauka received one of the most prestigious awards in Hawaii sports last week.

The three-time boys hoops state champion was named with 11 other athletes across the state to the HHSAA Hall of Honor Class of 2026. Kauka was the only Big Island athlete selected, as the remainder of the inductees hailed from Oahu.

The senior student-athletes were selected by a 13-person committee of current and former sports reporters and athletic directors from across the islands. The criteria is mainly based on athletic achievements, but all-around character and community service is also considered.

Each inductee is awarded a $2,000 scholarship on behalf of the HHSAA and Enterprise Holdings, which operates Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-A-Car brands.

Kauka and the rest of the inductees will be honored at a celebratory banquet this coming Sunday at the Sheraton Princess Ka‘iulani’s Ainahau Showroom in Honolulu.

“I’d like to give a special thanks to my parents, coaches and everyone who supported me throughout the years,” Kauka told West Hawaii Today. “They’ve all played a huge role in helping me grow not just as a player, but also as a person.

“I’m grateful for everything they have done to help me get to where I am today.”

The selection of the 6-foot-1 Kauka to the Hall of Honor was a no-brainer decision. The star guard was the central contributor to Kohala’s recent dynasty, leading the Cowboys as the No. 1 scorer during their 2023, 2024 and 2026 DII state championships. In two of those title games, Kauka sank the go-ahead jumper to put Kohala up late.

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In Kauka’s dominant senior season, he averaged 26.3 points per game, scoring 30-or-more eight times — including a career-high 42-point outburst against Hawaii Prep on Jan. 20. In the Feb. 4 BIIF DII championship against Pahoa, Kauka scored 31 points to secure his fourth island title. In the state tournament, he averaged 27.3 points per game against Kihei Charter, Damien and Seabury Hall, and was selected to the HHSAA All-Tournament team.

Across the 2025-26 season, Kauka led all of HHSAA DII in points per game, total points and free throws made.

Kauka transferred to Utah Prep at the beginning of his junior year to play alongside some of the top talent in the country, but returned home to play for the Cowboys at the end of the season.

Kauka ends his high school career with multiple BIIF and ScoringLive Player of the Year awards, the 2025-26 Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year and the 2026 Star-Advertiser’s All-State Fab 15 Player of the Year — the first Division-II athlete to receive such an honor.

“He’s a leader on and off the court, all of the younger guys look up to him,” former Kohala coach Kihei Kapeliela said after winning state in February. “He’ll go down as one of the greats, if not the greatest (player in Kohala history).”

Kauka was also selected to the Hall of Honor for his superb volleyball play, as he was an All-BIIF selection.

In addition to being recognized as an immortal Hawaii athlete, Kauka additionally signed his letter of intent to play men’s basketball for the University of Hawaii-Hilo this week — officially joining Kaniela Aiona’s program.

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2026 HHSAA
Hall of Honor Class

• Layden Kauka, Kohala (basketball, volleyball)

• Alika Ahu, University Lab School (baseball, basketball)

• Hunter Berger, St. Louis (wrestling)

• Nihoa Dunn, KS-Kapalama (basketball)

• Ashlyn Jacobsen, Campbell (cross country, track)

• Kekama Kane, Iolani (football, soccer)

• Destiny Look, Mid-Pacific (soccer, track, volleyball)

• James Millare, Moanalua (track)

• Chloe Obuhanych, Pearl City (air riflery, judo, wrestling)

• Synnove Robinson, Punahou (cross country, swimming, water polo)

• Zaira Sugui, Moanalua (flag football, judo, wrestling)

• Journei Webster, Punahou (swimming)