Football weekend begins with two Kona-side matchups
Another weekend of Big Island high school football kicks off tonight with two exciting matchups in West Hawaii.
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Another weekend of Big Island high school football kicks off tonight with two exciting matchups in West Hawaii.
Konawaena (4-1 overall; 3-1 BIIF), coming off its best win of the season a week ago, will be hosting Hilo High (3-2 overall; 3-1 BIIF) for the first time this season. The Wildcats and Vikings were slated to duel Sept. 25 at Wong Stadium, but the game was cancelled due to Hurricane Nolo concerns.
The Wildcats beat fellow BIIF Division-I rival Kamehameha-Hawaii on Oct. 2 at Julian R. Yates Field, avenging their one-score loss to the Warriors from early September. Quarterback Keenan Alani is coming off perhaps his best performance of his senior season, completing 20 of his 26 passes for 288 total yards and three touchdowns.
Alani, now in his third season as Kona’s starter, has thrown for nearly 1,200 yards, 15 touchdowns and just two picks through five games. The signal caller also boasts an impressive 167.2 rating.
Alani’s top target has been Ka‘el Johnson, a rising sophomore who has hauled in 19 receptions for 274 yards and four touchdowns. Senior Anakin Punihaole is having a strong senior campaign, catching 13 balls for 249 yards and three scores.
The Wildcats additionally boast a balanced, talented backfield, led by senior Kainalu Alves and sophomore Shayden Domingo. In their second year together as the featured backs, the pair has combined for 538 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Alves finished with 96 rushing yards and a touchdown in last week’s win.
The Wildcats score nearly 40 points per game.
Defensively, Kona has a powerful, aggressive front with sticky defensive backs. Edge rusher Zane Fujihara-Faavesi (23.5 tackles) has been leading the line, while freshman star Kailewa Silva-Kealoha has surprised many in the secondary with five interceptions.
The unit allows just 9.8 points per game, including three shutout wins.
The Vikings are coming off a nail-biting 27-26 against Kea‘au last weekend, avoiding a multi-game losing streak. Despite a winning record, Hilo is averaging 22.2 points per game, but is allowing over 27. The Vikings are led by Damien Taaca at quarterback, and has Kauilanuimakahikina Awai, Nakealii Swope Souza and Brody Oden as his top weapons.
On top of Kea‘au, Hilo has beaten Kealakehe this season.
The second West Hawaii matchup of the evening will be held at Waverider Stadium between Kealakehe and Waiakea. Like the other game, the Warriors and Waveriders were scheduled to play late last month, but inclement weather caused for cancellation.
After losing three straight games, Waiakea got back in the win column with a narrow 8-6 victory over HPA last weekend in Waimea. Often a struggling program in previous seasons, the Warriors have been a pleasant surprise in 2026, currently holding a 3-2 conference record while being 3-3 overall.
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Waiakea is led by Pono Miller at quarterback, who has shown special ability to make an impact with his arms and legs. His top target, Charles Keola Rose, has been a difference maker. Running back Alelauloa Torres has been a star in the backfield.
Kealakehe (0-4) has struggled to find footing this season after the departure of several key seniors from a year ago, along with a coaching staff transition. Through four games, the Waveriders have only scored 28 points.
Despite the struggles, Kealakehe has some young talent in the pipeline, including sophomore dual-threat quarterback Deeton Padillio, who has made his fair share of ‘wow’ plays throughout the year. Freshman EJ Alfred has also shown promise in the backfield.
Saturday will feature Kamehameha-Hawaii visiting Kea‘au High to take on the Cougars. It will be the first matchup of the season between the two schools.
Coming off a loss in Kealakekua, the Warriors (4-2 overall; 3-1 BIIF) will look to bounce back in a big way this weekend. Quarterback Kahekili Makekau has passed for 1,270 yards, 15 touchdowns and just one pick thus far.Receivers Chaseton Wong (527 yards, six touchdowns) and Iokua Toci-Hookano (476 yards, four touchdowns) have been putting together All-BIIF-caliber seasons.
Kamehameha’s backfield stars junior Dallas Enriquez, who relies on his imposing 215-pound frame to punish opposing fronts. He has rushed for 565 yards and nine touchdowns through six games.
The Warriors average nearly 37 points per game, scoring 49 or more three times. On the other side of the ball, they allow 18.7.
Like a few other programs on the island, Kea‘au is also going through a rebuilding year after key pieces graduated in the spring. The Cougars are in the process of installing a new culture and system under first-year head coach Nainoa Kalahiki.
Kea‘au is 0-6 overall.
HPA vs. Honoka‘a played late Thursday night on the Hamakua Coast. See the paper in the coming days to read the results.
