Xander Hoopai's four year career at Kamehameha-Hawaii has been quite the journey, literally.

With his home in Waimea, the 5-foot-7, 185 pound senior spends about four hours round trip getting to the Keaau campus.

"A lot of his time is just commuting to and from school, but he rarely ever misses practice even though we don't have buses at times. He's setting an example for as far as how important attendance is," remarked Kamehameha-Hawaii head coach Kealoha Wengler.

"If he can make it, everybody is gotta be able to make it to practice."

As a freshman, Hoopai spent the majority time at linebacker, but saw more time a sophomore and junior as a change of pace back. This year, Hoopai has been relied on more much this season, and the numbers tell the tale, with 868 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns to his credit thus far.

"Xander is the elusive one, and our freshman Dallas (Enriquez) is our power. When we mixed him (Enriquez) in, they complement each other really well and kind of throw the speed off for the defense," said Wengler.

Hoopai had a career day on the road against Hawaii Prep, scoring two touchdowns on 28 carries for 237 yards, both personal bests, helping the Warriors collect a season sweep of Ka Makani, something that the team failed to do a season prior. It also helped the Warriors remain unbeaten at 7-0 with two home games left in the regular season.

"It was a big deal for us," said Wengler of the win. "Last year we had so much confidence and we lost in double overtime (at Hawaii Prep), so we had to play them again for the BIIF championship."

The win assured that no playoff game would be happening this year.

"This is our biggest game in the BIIF," Wengler noted of Hawaii Prep. "We know that they are going to be our toughest game."

Hoopai is a captain on the squad, and sets the tone for the team, even as far as conditioning is concerned.

"We have him the weight room every single day before practice and he never misses," Wengler said. "He's the guy hustling everyone else to get in the weight room."

"All our other groups rotate in and out but not him, he's consistently in there everyday."

Wengler also touched on his role as the teams' vocal and spiritual leader.

"Everyone (on the team) looks to him as a vocal leader, and all the credit (for his numbers) he'll give to his offensive line, he's just very humble" said Wengler.

"For him Jesus Christ always comes first," Wengler added. "He'll lead the team in prayer every single time. Something different we've incorporated because of him is starting every game inviting the other team to join us in prayer."

Hoopai is one of 14 seniors on the squad, a group that has been with Wengler since he began his stint at Kamehameha-Hawaii.

"They were my first group, when I started here," said Wengler. "We've been together the whole time, learning from each other, from the COVID days, with limited practice until now where we have this more elaborate run-pass, screens and so much more."

"I'm so happy for them that we could through this season undefeated (so far), with the exception of Moanalua," laughed Wengler. "Just seeing the success from the hard work they've put in is just so huge for me."

FOOTBALL

Rusten Abang-Perez, Campbell — Caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Mililani

Sylas Alaimalo, Damien — Ran for 170 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries and caught a touchdown pass in a win over PAC-5

Zayden Alviar-Costa, Campbell — Caught six passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Mililani

Liatama Amisone, Kapolei — Ran for 157 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries and threw a touchdown pass in a win over Farrington

Jayce Bareng, Moanalua — Caught six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Pearl City

Armenio Blanco, Konawaena — Intercepted three passes and returned two of them for touchdowns in a win over Kealakehe

Jhermie Cacpal, Aiea — Caught four passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns in a loss to Radford

Keawe Davis, Roosevelt — Caught 10 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kaiser

Isaac Harney, Moanalua — Threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns on 21-of-33 passing without an interception in a win over Pearl City

Xander Hoopai, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Ran for 237 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in a win over Hawaii Prep

Kalino Judalena, Moanalua — Ran for 114 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries in a win over Pearl City

Nakoa Kahana-Travis, Mililani — Ran for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in a loss to Campbell

Shonn Keaunui, Moanalua — Intercepted two passes, returned one for a touchdown and made one tackle for loss in a win over Pearl City

Zechariah Kuratsu-Cook, Kaimuki — Ran for 136 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in a loss to McKinley

Kahi Magno, Lahainaluna — Scored on a 29-yard blocked punt return and scored on a 50-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Maui

Jenisen Pave, Kapolei — Made eight tackles, including five sacks, in a win over Farrington

Matthew Pyne, Kalaheo — Ran for 121 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries and recorded four tackles in a loss to Waialua

Everest Cole Rodriguez, Farrington — Recorded 11 1/2 tackles in a loss to Kapolei

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, Campbell — Threw for 350 yards and six touchdowns on 23-of-31 passing with one interception in a win over Mililani

Zeke Schulz, Radford — Ran for 126 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries and made 2 1/2 tackles, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble in a win over Aiea

Austin Takaki, Konawaena — Caught six passes for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kealakehe

AJ Tuifua, Damien — Threw for 189 yards and four touchdowns on 15-of-26 passing and ran for another touchdown in a win over PAC-5

Sean Ucciardi, Kalaheo — Made nine tackles, including six tackles for losses, five sacks and forced a fumble in a loss to Waialua

Rayden Wilson, Waialua — Ran for 202 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and recorded four tackles and a fumble recovery in a win over Kalaheo

For head coach Junius Wong, Khiana Kauweloa's growth over the last four years as Nanakuli's primary setter could not make him prouder.

"Khiana has been with me since seventh grade and she understands me as a coach," said Wong. "We had some tough patches the last few seasons as she became our main setter, but she was up for the challenge."

Kauweloa was instrumental in four-set wins over Radford and Aiea, putting up 37 set assists, 11 digs, two kills and one ace against Radford and 35 set assists, nine digs and one kill in a four-set win over Aiea.

"Her presence has helped keep our offense consistent through the OIA Western Division season," said Wong. "She has been working really hard with evolving more offensively with tips and dumps."

"Defesnively, Khiana has also been getting block touches," he added. "Slowing the ball down so we can still transition into offense easier, and playing tough defense in the backrow."

Along with fellow fourth year varsity player Marley-Alzie Matautia, the pair headline the Golden Hawks statistically, with Matautia tops in kills and Kauweloa in assists.

"Khiana and Marley have been on varsity from freshmen year. Both of their older sister Hailey and Mele were seniors at the time, and they both provided an excellent base of leadership and standard for their younger siblings," remarked Wong.

"For Khiana, she has become more vocal with her actions. Communicating softly but demanding," he continued. "She isn't high strung with energy. We have many players already like that on and off the court, so it's very refreshing to have an athlete not like that."

Much like her role as setter on the volleyball court, Kauweloa is also a point guard on the basketball team.

And last year, she was named Nanakuli's Most Valuable Player for both sports. What's more, she was also honored with the Golden Hawk of the Year Award.

"This award is given to the student-athletes that exemplify the very definition of being a Golden Hawk," said Wong. "As many of our athletes are multi-sport athletes, its become more and more difficult to achieve such a great honor at Nanakuli."

The Golden Hawks sitting at 6-3 in league play and have clinched a berth in the upcoming OIA Division I playoffs for the second straight season. Its Nanakuli's third appearance in the league postseason in last four seasons.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Taimane Ainuu, Iolani — Had 15 kills, eight digs, three block assists, one set assist and an ace in a three-set win over Punahou

Lauren Brown, Maui Prep — Had 13 kills, four aces and one dig in a three-set win over Hana and had 16 kills, six aces, four digs and one block assist in a three-set win over Hana

Kealoha Cox, Punahou — Had 12 kills and 10 digs in a three-set loss to Iolani

Ashley Davis, Maui Prep — Had 33 set assists, six digs and two aces in a three-set win over Hana and had 35 set assists, six digs and one ace in a three-set win over Hana

Lola Doherty, Maui Prep — Had 17 digs and one ace in a three-set win over Hana

Khiana Kauweloa, Nanakuli — Had 37 set assists, 11 digs, two kills and one ace in a four-set win over Radford and had 35 set assists, nine digs and one kill in a four-set win over Aiea

Avery Kirkham, Maui Prep — Had 24 digs, 10 kills and three aces in a three-set win over Hana and had 24 digs, seven kills and one ace in a three-set win over Hana

Ravina Loa-Mokiao, Nanakuli — Had 11 kills, 15 digs and two aces in a four-set win over Radford

Lisimaani Matautia, Kailua — Had 27 set assists, 11 digs and one kill in a three-set win over McKinley

Marley-Alzie Matautia, Nanakuli — Had 14 kills, two block assists and one solo block in a four-set win over Aiea

Rylie Matsuda, Castle — Had 15 digs and four aces in a three-set win over Roosevelt and had 15 digs, four aces and two set assists in a three-set loss to Kalaheo

Jaci Miyazaki, Kalani — Had 22 digs, five aces and two set assists in a four-set win over Kaiser

Bailey Nakanelua, Iolani — Had 38 set assists, 11 digs, one kill, one block assist and one ace in a three-set win over Punahou

Zoey Offergeld, Maui Prep — Had 30 digs and one ace in a three-set win over Hana and had 16 digs and three kills in a three-set win over Hana

Aleamaikalani Paiva, Waipahu — Had 20 digs in a three-set loss to Campbell

Leila Paraoan, Kapolei — Had 11 kills, nine digs, one solo block, one block assist and one ace in a three-set win over Pearl City and had 17 kills and five digs in a three-set win over Leilehua

Zaria Queen, Moanalua — Had 13 kills, five digs and one ace in a three-set win over Kahuku

Anny Scott, Kapolei — Had 30 set assists, five digs, four kills and three block assists in a three-set win over Leilehua

Hatesa Sopoaga, Kaiser — Had 13 kills and one dig in a four-set loss to Kalani

Natalia Stromsdorfer-Maza, Kaiser — Had 17 digs, two aces and one set assist in a four-set loss to Kalani

Rohm Takamoto, Kalani — Had 12 kills, 12 digs and three aces in a four-set win over Kaiser

Chandy-Lee Westbrook, Nanakuli — Had 19 digs, four set assists, two aces and one kill in a four-set win over Radford and had 13 digs, one ace and one set assist in a four-set win over Aiea