LAHAINA — The 2022 season for the Lahainaluna High School football team came to a stunning conclusion two weeks ago at Sue D. Cooley Stadium on the West Side campus.

The Aiea Na Alii, the runner-up of the Division I Oahu Interscholastic Association, defeated the Lunas 30-10 in a first round match-up in the First Hawaiian Bank /Hawaii High School Athletic Association playoffs.

The 9-3 Aiea team led from start to finish in dominating the 9-1, third-seeded Lunas before a packed Veterans Day home crowd.

The outcome seemed never to be in doubt, as the Aiea team exhibited precision and speed to overpower the Lahainaluna team. The OIA runner-up Na Alii used a precision passing game and a stifling defense to build a double-digit lead throughout the contest.

Lunas’ Co-head Coach Dean Rickard said in retrospect, “Aiea was by far the better team. Their physicality, speed and strength proved to be advantageous for them. They were well-coached, efficient, and more fundamentally sound than any other team we faced this year.”

“Defensively, they shut down our running game, and offensively they used their athleticism, speed and size to move the ball effectively. But our kids never gave up and played their hearts out to the very end, which is all we would ask and expect from them.”

Lahainaluna football will bid aloha to 14 seniors who played their final game in the Red and White. Coach Rickard saluted them in saying, “We will say goodbye to the seniors and add that we are very proud of their accomplishments this season. We wish them all the best moving forward and thank them — and all of the student-athletes — for all they’ve done for Lahainaluna football.”

The 14 seniors who played their final game include Lance Morikawa, Jeremy Kahane Lived, Ian Jay Cabanilla, Kade Cunningham, Aukai Hokoana, Keawe Kane Keahi, David Hong, Solomon Kana’au Castro, Josese Anu Kaina, Jayson Akahi Vida, Emmanuel Manny Latu, Jay Pua, Makoa Tama Palau Agdeppa and John Kaililaau Balisco.

“These seniors always provided good leadership for the team and understood the program philosophy. They are always a valuable asset, as they lead by example with their strong work ethic on the field and in the weight room throughout the years. They have set a great example for the rest of the team to follow.”

Coach Dean looked to the future in adding, “At the same time, we already have begun to look forward to the 2023 season in hopes to build a strong foundation with the 27 juniors and ten sophomores that are returning, along with a group of student-athletes who were brought up at the end of the JV season as well.

“The loss certainly provides learning opportunities for our underclassmen, but the key message is simple: in order to remain competitive at this level, we need to commit and dedicate time in the off-season to come back to the grind and preparation for the 2023 season. All we ask is that they commit and dedicate themselves to this,” he continued.

“Most importantly, we say mahalo to the West Side community for your continued support throughout the years. Imua Lunas!”