Waipahu, HI
The ‘Iolani Raiders defended their state title on Wednesday night and looked to keep their season record perfect against the Punahou Buff-N-Blue in the 2026 HHSAA D1 Boys Soccer State Championship. It would be the first time since 2020 where the boys from Manoa would make a state title appearance. With hopes to bring it back home, they would have to pull the upset over the current reigning state champs.
After the postponement that was to take place on Saturday night, both teams got some extra rest and preparation for the last game of the season. The ‘Iolani Raiders road to the final came by defeating the Campbell Sabers in the quarterfinal match, and the Kalani Falcons in the semifinal. They would meet Punahou one more time in the state title match, as they held a 2-0 record against them during the season.
As for the Buff-N-Blue, many did not see this team making the postseason. After making it back to the hhsaa tournament for the first time since 2024, the buff-n-blues looked to make a deep run. They would defeat the Kamehameha Kapalama Warriors in an elimination game for a chance to punch their ticket to the tournament. An even series of 1-1 in the ILH season, Punahou would end up taking the elimination game to PK’s where they would end up winning. They would then start the opening round against the Kapolei Hurricanes and defeat them 1-0. In the quarterfinals, they would dominate King Kekaulike 8-1 and then pull an upset in the semifinals against the Mililani Trojans in a last second goal. The Buff-N-Blues would win with a 3-2 score.
In the end, it would be an iLH State title match where one team would look to go undefeated and win back to back and the other would look to pull off another upset and bring the title back to Manoa.
The Buff-N-Blues would find the back of the net first in the 16th minute. Not that long after, an equalizer would be made by ‘Iolani Sophomore Forward, Chase Yamashita. It would be tied up at halftime at 1-1. An equal battle was played in the first half, but the Raiders opened the flood gates in the second half and didn’t hold back. The Raiders would add on 4 more goals in the second half to put the game away after being down one, and end their season with a perfect record. The ‘Iolani Raiders are your back to back 2026 HHSAA D1 Boys Soccer State Champions. Congratulations to the Raiders Soccer Program, School, and Community!
Mahalo to everyone that has supported NorthVue Media this year as your main source of coverage for the 2025-2026 Boys Soccer Season. We hope that every Soccer Athlete has enjoyed the photos that our team have captured. Mahalo again for the amazing season and support from everyone. We look forward to covering it all over again next season!
Final Score: ‘Iolani 5 - Punahou 2
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
pictures taken by: Logan Pactol - @_lowgxn
'Iolani Raiders are back to back hhsaa d1 boys soccer state champions!
Video By: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
