Honolulu, HI
Kahuku and Punahou. A historic rivalry that will go on for generations. This would be the game that will determine a dynasty for the Buff N Blue, or a glimpse of what is yet to come from Kahuku. It wouldn’t be the first time these two teams crossed paths, as they met in the preseason with Punahou taking that game only by 3. This game had it all. The hype, pressure, and the chance to take home the Koa Wood back home.
It would be the ILH champion vs the OIA champion. A private vs public school match at the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center that would be remembered for ages.
The Kahuku Red Raiders have been having themselves a season. With only 3 losses in the preseason to the Punahou Buff-N-Blue, St Louis Crusaders, and Bishop Gorman, you would think that they were playing football with the teams listed. A team that finished 3rd in last years HHSAA tournament, the boys from the North Shore knew what it took to make a deep run in the state tournament. The Red Raiders are led by the star duos of Senior Guard, Mystique Akina-Watson and Junior Guard, Kash Daley. After a battle till the end with the Kailua Surfriders in the OIA D1 Championship match, the Red Raiders knew that the remainder of the postseason was going to be tough. With the loss of Ronin Naihe due to injury, the Red Raiders would have to rely on the next man up. The Red Raiders would start the quarterfinal match against the ‘Iolani Raiders and then got their semifinal rematch to the St Louis Crusaders. The team that beat them last year, were in the same spot a year later to punch their ticket to the state title game. The Red Raiders would go neck and neck with the Crusaders, and with performance by Sophomore Guard, Justus Daley, the Red Raiders would pull off the win to set themselves up in the State Title match for the first time since 2018.
As for the Buff-N-Blue ILH champs, they have been having success in their squad led by Long Beach State Commit, Ethan Chong, and Junior Forward, Tanoa Scanlan. The two duos and reigning state champs knew what it took to get the job done and they had to do that from the beginning. They would have a solid preseason performance in the Kalaheo invitational preseason tournament and the ‘Iolani Classic along with the Damien Tournament in California. The boys from Manoa felt prepared as the ILH season started for them, and finishing with only one loss to the St Louis Crusaders. The ILH champs would defeat the Mililani Trojans in the quarterfinal round of the HHSAA tournament and have a close game against the Kailua Surfriders in the semifinal match. It would be a rematch of the preseason championship match where they faced in the Fujino Invitational. They would pull a late lead when the Surfriders were making a comeback and punch their ticket back into the State Title match.
It would be a rematch of the 2017 and 2018 HHSAA D1 State Championship match for the Kahuku Red Raiders and Punahou Buff-N-Blue. A match where both teams won a title match, and the tie breaker would be answered. The Kahuku Red Raiders led by Head Coach Brandyn Akana and the Punahou Buff-N-Blue led by Darren Matsuda faced off once again with a chance to lead their squad to victory.
The game would start off great for Punahou and bad for Kahuku. Kahuku would fall short quickly in this game, as Punahou would apply their pressure and score off quick shots and build their lead rapidly. Senior duo Tanoa Scanlan and Ethan Chung would try lead this Punahou team back to the top. With a 22-9 lead at the half, you can sense that the Buff-N-Blues were gonna run away with the game. That wouldn’t be the case for Kahuku. Although their shots weren’t falling, their defense kept them in the game and didn’t let Punahou run away with a championship blow out. Junior Guard, Kashus Daley, would ruin their Punahou Senior send off. The Junior guard would go on to drop 28 points over the defending state champs and tie it up late in the 4th. After trailing by 13 at the half, there was life for the Red Raiders as they made their comeback in the second half to make it a game. The unsung hero of the game, Inoke Lloyd, would give Kahuku the lead in the dying seconds and ultimately give them what they envisioned all season. A chance to take home the Koa Wood back up North. The Kahuku Red Raiders won the last three matches of the hhsaa d1 tournament against the ilh schools of 'iolani, st. Louis and Punahou. they have pulled off their biggest comeback all season and are your new 2026 HHSAA D1 Boys Basketball State Champions!
Congratulations to the Kahuku Boys Basketball Program, School, and Community on an outstanding season.
Mahalo to everyone that has supported NorthVue Media this year as your main source of coverage for the 2025-2026 Boys Basketball Season. We hope that every Basketball 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: Kahuku 40 - Punahou 38
For more pictures, head over to our photo gallery.
pictures taken by: Kennedy Velasco - @kennnchapo
and new! Kahuku d1 hhsaa state champions!
video by: Logan Pactol - @_lowgxn
