Kash Kamauoha came up clutch Friday night. 

Kamauoha, a senior defensive back for the Kaiser football team, recorded three interceptions and tallied a team-high 6 ½ tackles in a 30-12 win over visiting Pearl City. 

The 5-foot-11, 157-pound Kamauoha began the game at free safety but shifted over to cornerback out of necessity. 

"We had an injury and then we had to move him over to corner," Kaiser coach Tim Seaman disclosed. 

It was a seamless transition for Kamauoha, one of the team captains this fall. Kamauoha has been a steady presence in the defensive backfield as a three-year starter and four-year varsity player. 

"He's really just an all-around good football player. Even though he doesn't play other positions for us, he could do so if we needed him to," Seaman said. 

Kamauoha's athleticism, along with his wealth of experience, makes him an asset that Seaman and the Cougars will surely rely upon this season as they make the jump to the Division I ranks. 

"He's one of the most veteran guys on the team. He's seen a lot of game actions and played in a lot of big games and being that we're so young this year, the rest of our team really lacks experience so there's no substitute for having been under the lights as much as he's had and having played in the caliber of games that he's played in," Seaman said. 

In Kamauoha's first three seasons on the team, Kaiser compiled a 21-12 overall record and a 18-8 mark in league games. Kamauoha broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore, but had a breakout junior season, when he recorded four interceptions and earned All-Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II First Team honors. 

"He's played in OIA championship games and state playoff games and I think that brings a certain confidence and a certain comfort level when he gets out there on the field," Seaman added. 

The Cougars reached both the OIA and HHSAA championship games in D2 a year ago, but lost both to Roosevelt and Kamehameha-Maui, respectively. They kicked off their 2025 campaign with Friday's home win over the Chargers. 

In addition to his three picks and more than half-dozen tackles — including one behind the line of scrimmage — Kamauoha also broke up two other passes in the victory. All three of his interceptions came at the cornerback position. 

"The first thing about Kash is his length — he's a longer body type — and he has the ability to press out into the receiver, get into position and then go up and attack the football. He has really good ball skills in terms of playing the ball at its highest point and he's fast, so he's got some good speed over there and he's aggressive as well," Seaman said. 

The first play that Kamauoha made Friday, however, came on special teams, when he blocked an extra point that would have tied the score at 7 about five minutes into the opening quarter. 

"He was able to slip off the block and get some extension and get a piece of that PAT and it was actually kind of a big play because those are always momentum builders. You give up a touchdown and there's always a little frustration with that — it wasn't him that gave up the touchdown — but in terms of a team lift, there's always a little boost when you make a play like that," Seaman expressed. 

Four of Kamauoha's tackles came against the run, which speaks to his physicality that sometimes gets overlooked. 

"Whether it's in coverage or against the run, he's good at being in the right place at the right time and attacking the football. He's able to recognize run and come up and he's willing to make a hit and I mean, not every corner is willing to come up and really pop somebody, but he is. He's willing to get out there and be physical," Seaman said. 

Kamauoha's first pick also came at a timely juncture of the game. After the Chargers pulled to within 7-6, Pearl City's defense picked off a pass by Kaiser quarterback Koa Reis to give their offense the ball near midfield. 

However, five plays into the Pearl City possession, Kamauoha picked off the Ikaika Torres pass and returned it 65 yards to the Chargers' 30-yard line. 

"He flipped the field position with his long return after that pick," Seaman said. 

The Cougars had built a 30-12 lead midway through the fourth quarter when Kamauoha came up with his second interception. A few minutes after that, he recorded his final pick to close out the win for his team. 

"It's always good to see the guys that have been in the program for their whole four years and watch them develop from freshman to senior year, to go out there and get the results, that's always rewarding to see," Seaman said. 

Kamauoha is one of a handful of second-generation Cougars that Seaman has worked with over the course of his coaching career. Kash's father, Kahae, played linebacker for Kaiser in the early 90s. 

"I actually coached his dad, he played for me on our '93 team. Dad was a linebacker so he was a thumper inside. Kash is a leaner, more speed type of a guy," Seaman shared. "Off the field he's got a good sense of humor, a pleasant disposition. He always has a smile on his face and is just a polite and respectful kid." 

Kamauoha and the Cougars (1-0) have a bye this week. They next play on Aug. 29, when they visit Waipahu. 

FOOTBALL 

Keola Ane, Punahou — Caught four passes for 114 yards and a touchdown in a win over Moanalua 

Jacob Ballesteros, Kapolei — Threw for 225 yards and three touchdowns on 14-of-18 passing without an interception in a win over Lahainaluna 

Ronin Fanelli, Iolani — Ran 13 times for 131 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Maui 

Hunter Fujikawa, Punahou — Threw for 243 yards and four touchdowns on 18-of-22 passing with one interception in a win over Moanalua  

Kael Johnson, Konawaena — Caught five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Truckee

Wayne Kahala, Kekaulike — Ran 18 times for 268 yards and five touchdowns in a win over Morrow Bay 

Brady Kim, Kaiser — Ran 20 times for 105 yards and a touchdown in a win over Pearl City 

Shaison Kupukaa, Campbell — Caught five passes for 118 yards and a touchdown in a win over Waipahu 

Josiah Labuanan, Kekaulike — Scored on a 35-yard fumble return for touchdown in a win over Morrow Bay 

Nainoa Mata, Kekaulike — Ran seven times for 118 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Morrow Bay 

Nainoa Melchor, Kamehameha — Ran 25 times for 160 yards in a loss to Kahuku 

Chazz-Michael Kapahu, Kapolei — Ran for three touchdowns in a win over Lahainaluna 

Paliku Nachor, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Caught two passes for 110 yards in a win over Kekaulike 

John Sanborn, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored on a 35-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Kealakehe 

Malaki Soliai-Tui, Kahuku — Recorded nine total tackles and intercepted a pass in a win over Kamehameha 

Royale Tavale-Petersen, Aiea — Scored on a 54-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Castle 

Kaiea Thomas, Konawaena — Recorded 15 total tackles in a loss to Truckee

Ethan Toia, Aiea — Forced and recovered a fumble and scored on a 60-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Castle 

Jeremyah Toilolo, Kalaheo — Caught seven passes for 107 yards and scored on an interception return for touchdown in a win over PAC-5

CJ Villanueva, Iolani — Threw for 185 yards and three touchdowns on 10-of-11 passing without an interception in a win over Maui