Kapolei, HI
The Kapolei Hurricanes found a way to finish when it mattered most on Saturday night, holding off the Kahuku Red Raiders 20-14 in a hard fought OIA Open Division matchup at Kapolei. The 2025 OIA championship rematch would be shown With two of Hawai'i top programs battling late into the night. the Hurricanes made the final plays necessary to secure another major win and improve to 6-1 on the season.
Kapolei came into the matchup having built plenty of momentum throughout the season, while Kahuku entered looking to build off its dominant 50-6 win over the Leilehua Mules the previous week. The Red Raiders were hoping to keep that momentum going against a Kapolei team that had already established itself as one of the top teams in the state.
The Hurricanes came out with control early, putting together a long scoring drive in the second quarter that ended with Senior RB, Chazz-Michael Kapahu, finding the end zone on a one-yard wildcat run. Kapolei added another score before halftime and took a 14-0 lead into the break, putting Kahuku in a position where it needed to find a way to respond.
Kahuku finally broke through just before halftime when Junior quarterback, Lucky Suguturaga, connected with Junior WR, Bodhi Kaanga, on a 22-yard touchdown pass. The score gave the Red Raiders some life heading into the second half and kept them within striking distance after Kapolei had controlled much of the opening half.
The Red Raiders came out of halftime with a completely different energy. A Kapolei fumble gave Kahuku an opportunity deep in Hurricanes territory, and Junior LB, Siale Reid, returned the turnover 34 yards to the Kapolei 25-yard line. Five plays later, Junior RB, Blazyn-Brave Nunuha, found the end zone on a five-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14 with 7:32 remaining in the third quarter.
Kapolei answered right back. The Hurricanes put together a 17-play, 78-yard drive that took significant time off the clock before Sophomore quarterback, Jonez Nunuha, connected with Senior, Noah Pupu-Muaava, for a two-yard touchdown. Kapolei missed the extra point, but the touchdown gave the Hurricanes a 20-14 lead with 11:06 remaining.
From there, the Kapolei defense took over. The Hurricanes forced Kahuku into consecutive three-and-outs and continued to keep the Red Raiders from finding another scoring opportunity. Kapolei eventually punted with Kahuku taking over at its own 20-yard line with 2:22 remaining, giving the Red Raiders one final opportunity to complete the comeback.
Kahuku made its way down the field and reached the Kapolei 20-yard line with 15 seconds remaining. With the game hanging in the balance, the Hurricanes defense came up with the biggest play of the night. Senior Linebacker, Kaimana Sione, got to Suguturaga on the final play, forcing the Red Raiders final attempt to come up short and allowing Kapolei to escape with the 20-14 victory.
The win pushed Kapolei to 6-1 and kept the Hurricanes firmly in the mix near the top of the OIA Open Division. Kahuku dropped to 4-4 with the loss and will now turn its attention toward another major matchup against defending Open Division champion Campbell.
For Kapolei, the victory was another example of a team finding a way to win when the game came down to the final possession. The Hurricanes had to withstand Kahuku second-half comeback, but their defense delivered when it mattered most and secured one of the biggest wins of their season.
This is the first time since 2007 that Kapolei has won against Kahuku. The previous game in 2007 ended in a 14-7 win for the Hurricanes on Oct. 26, 2007
Final Score: Kapolei 20 - Kahuku 14
For more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
Pictures taken by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev_
