Moanalua Na Menehune "Big Win" over The Kailua Surfriders 52-0

It's been a shaky starts for the Moanalua Na Menehune Varsity Football team, but if you weren't at the football game on Friday, August 30, 2013 between the Kailua Surfriders and the Na Menehune, you missed out a great comeback and a great win over the Surfriders.

It was like the H-1 Freeway West lane closures fro the Kailua Surfriders, no matter which lanes they chose they ran into more and more Na Menehune traffic. The 1st quarter ended 0-0 and all wondered if this was going to be a match-up, but then the tide changed against the Surfriders in the 2nd quarter. MoHS WR #1 Chad Aragon (photo above) ran in for the 1st TD (2 for the night), followed by LB #42 Alika Trivitt recovering a fumble. Wave after wave, the Na Menehune kept coming.

WR #8 Stevie Feliciano taking it in for another TD (2 for the night), followed by RB #4 Jerek Pavao recovering a fumble, WR #2 Jason Sharsh for a TD, CB #11 Antonio Copeland recovering another fumble, RB #10 Ishmil Scott for a TD, WR #3 Donald Lambert adding another TD, and just when you think the game was coming to an end with 3:55 on the clock in the 4th quarter, RB #41 JaJuan Ferdinand (photo above) ended the game with a great run into the endzone for 6 and K #17 Thomas Sheridan adding the icing on the cake to end the game 52-0.  Great Defense and Offense passing by MoHS QB #15 Micah Kaneshiro. Candid photos "click here."

McKinley Tigers Held On In The 4th Quarter Over Moanalua Na Menehune

Exciting game at Roosevelt HS, Ticky Vasconcellos Stadium between the McKinley Tigers Varsity Football team and Moanalua Na Menehune who trailed behind 14-0, but on the next Moanalua possession, WR #3 Donald Lambert on the kick off ran it in for 86 yards for a TD with 6:07 remaining on the clock in the 2nd quarter 8-14. The Tigers came right back and made it 21-8 with 1:28 left in the 2nd quarter.

There were several questionable calls involving fumble recoveries and pass interference, but only the camera eye tells the story (see candid photos below). Into the 4th quarter with 8:46 left, Na Menehune WR #2 Jason Sharsh  made it 14-28 and then a great carry by WR #1 Chad Aragon with 6:33 left in the 4th quarter close the gap 21-28.  Just as hope was in the air, interception by the Tigers ended the game 28-21.  The Na Menehune JV Football team tamed the Tigers to win it 25-14.  Micah Kaneshiro D-1 Overall Passing stats (CP/AT) 70/128 698 Yards and 4 TD, and in the OIA Red leads (CP/AT) 25/40 270 and 2 TD. Candid photos, "click here."

Na Koa 'O Anuenue Varsity Football Team "vs" Radford Rams

The Na Koa 'O Anuenue Varsity Football team from the Ke Kula Kaiapuni 'O Anuenue Hawaiian Immersion School located in upper Palolo valley, played against the Radford Rams at Radford High School on Saturday, August 17, 2013.

Prior to the game, I spoke with Anuenue Head Coach Tim Kealohamakua Wengler who related, "we really got a young team, young, green and inexperienced, but very coachable, good attitude, very cohesive and they have very good ethics and they are not afraid to go to battle with a few numbers."

This interview reminded me of the first time I was invited to cover the Anuenue football team was back on August 15, 2009 in Maui when they played Maui Kamehameha School.  The odds were against them with only 22 players versus 40 plus players on the Maui Kamehameha football team, but still Anuenue came out victorious, 26-20.

At today's game, Anuenue with only 17 players had their work cut out for them.  The Rams got on the board scoring the first TD to lead the game 7-0.  Anuenue fought hard, but with only 17 players playing both offense and defense, it no doubt affected their physical endurance.  Even though the game score was 54-0 in the 3rd quarter, Anuenue's "never give up" attitude helped them to finish the game.  I have never seen such discipline and determination.  The final score was Radford 67-0.  Congratulations to the Na Koa O' Anuenue football team for not giving up and standing tall against the Radford football team.  For photos of today's game, "click here."

2013 Pre-Season Football Game "Mililani Trojans and Moanalua Na Menehune."

It was a rough night for Moanalua's Varsity football team, against the Mililani Trojans who won 39-9 over the Na Menehunes in their 2013 Preseason Opener.

Early in the first game, the Na Menehune JV team took the lead 7-0 with 4:32 on the clock in the 1st quarter.  Into the 3rd quarter it was 13-0.  Mililani came back in the 3rd quarter making it 7-13.  Na Menehune scored with 9:44 into the 4th quarter, 21-7. Hold on to your pants, Mililani came firing back in the 4th, and a failed field goal attempt ended the game for Mililani JV, 21-20. Varsity photos, "click here." JV photos, "click here," and stats, "click here."

Micaela Bitanga "Class of 2013" Celebrates Her Graduation with Kumu Hula Simon "The Hula Halau 'O Titas"

Micaela Bitanga (photo below in pink) is the daughter of Simon and Lehua Bitanga, and sister of Keely Bitanga who attends Northern Arizona University. Micaela attended Henry J. Kaiser High School, “Class of 2013.” Tonight at the Aloha Stadium, it was a celebration for the graduate.  Kumu Hula Tita Simon Bitanga and his Halau, “The Hula Halau ‘O Titas performed for the guests, friends, uncles and aunties. So funny and hilarious. 

Tonight’s event started off with music by the Kevin Okimoto Trio with pupus by Papa Chans and Da Crew, Hawaiian food by Kanack Attack, sushi by Superb Sushi, Filipino food by Jesse’s Restaurant (papa b’s favorite) and ono desserts by Aunty Sheila Chun-Ming.

During dinner, the Lion dance by Gee Yung Int’l Martial Arts Dragon and Lion Dance Assn. performed, followed by the “awesome” Hula Halau ‘O Titas led by Kumu Hulu Tita himself, Simon Bitanga and closing by Micaela Bitanga thanking everyone for joining in her celebration and music by Manao Company. Video, "click here." Photos, "click here."