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Blade Kaululaau

PAC-5 football  •   #44    

By all accounts, Blade Kaululaau is the consummate teammate. He's also one heck of a football player. 

No one knows that better than Kaululaau's coach at PAC-5, Kena Heffernan. 

"There's never a time where there's any ill will towards any of his teammates," Heffernan said of Kaululaau, who goes by the nickname, Kolo. 

The Wolfpack opened the season with back-to-back shutouts of Pahoa (36-0) and Kalaheo (41-0), but dropped their next two contests to open the Interscholastic League of Honolulu portion of their schedule. They were dealt lopsided loses by both Kamehameha II (52-7) and Saint Louis (28-0) on consecutive weekends. 

Despite the hard losses, Kaululaau, a 6-foot-1, 220-pound running back/inside linebacker – who had accumulated a half-dozen rushing touchdowns through PAC-5's two non-league wins – remained a beacon of positivity for his teammates. 

"There were many opportunities where that could have turned negative, but nope. Most times he had a smile on his face, because he knows, we know, everybody knows – PAC-5 knows – that it's a blessing to get on the field, so let's play, let's leave everything on the field and let's go," Heffernan said. 

Kaululaau certainly epitomizes the mindset that his coach spoke of. 

"Regardless of the yardage, when he didn't have the ball, he blocked the hardest. If he ran a route, he ran it all the way," Heffernan expressed. "Was there a time he missed a block? Of course, but if we're watching film and I point out the missed block, he won't get defensive about it; He'll laugh, or as he likes to say, ‘ahh, rubbah,' so when we can laugh at ourselves that's a breath of fresh air, especially in those high-stress situations."

The far-reaching effects of the pandemic weren't exclusive to Kaululaau, to be sure, but his personal timeline of events is, at the very least, unfortunate. 

"He's someone that not many people may have heard of because he got hurt last year. He broke his collarbone in the first Damien game and was out for basically the whole season and he was able to finally get back and practice when they said our season was over; His first day back was when they said our season is over," Heffernan recalled. 

The sequence of events provided Kaululaau with a different perspective, as well as a lot of time to work on his craft. 

"He came back bigger, faster, stronger and he had a point to make and that point was (to) let his actions do the talking," Heffernan said. "He's a man of few words, but many times I ask him to speak as one of the captains and he has a tremendous amount of insight and that I appreciate about him. He may not say a lot, but when he does talk, his teammates listen to him."

Kaululaau's actions on the gridiron were resounding in the Wolfpack's most recent game against No. 7 Iolani Friday afternoon. He ran for 120 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries and also scored a defensive touchdown with his 92-yard pick-six. Kaululaau accounted for all of PAC-5's points in the 49-14 loss to the Raiders. 

"The team played well for a little more than a quarter and kinda kept it close and then things started moving away from us, but we just kept going at it, just kept going at it and he was instrumental," Heffernan said. 

Kaululaau's interception return off of Iolani starting quarterback Micah Hoomanawanui gave the Wolfpack an early 6-0 lead on the reigning Division I state champs. 

"I hate when people say ‘right place at the right time,' but he was where he should have been in his drop and a defensive lineman hurried up the quarterback's throw and Kolo made that catch and turned it on all the way to the end zone," Heffernan described. 

After the long touchdown, Kaululaau needed a breather on the sideline for a bit. Heffernan pointed it out in a light-hearted moment during his postgame address to the team. 

"I said how there were a lot of simple mistakes that made it harder than it needed to be for us and that there were things we all could improve, coach, too – and Kolo's conditioning, too – we all kinda had a laugh," Heffernan recalled. "But also, that was for everyone else to see that people might look at it as the stronger guys on the team, but they got things to work on too and we're in it together so everybody's gotta work on it, not just one. Of course he had a big smile on his face when we said that and he just ate it up, so it was good."

Iolani scored a string of 49 unanswered points until Kaululaau punched in a PAC-5 score with his 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. He also ran in the subsequent two-point conversion.

"He was able to finish with a touchdown at the end of the game, so while I think all around we do rely on him, as well as a few other guys because we have some novice players and so we rely on (Kaululaau) on both sides of the ball, but he's not always about having to play every single down. He wants to get other guys in there and give other people a chance, too," Heffernan said. 

Although Heffernan noted that Kaululaau won't hesitate to fill a gap, or take on opposing centers and guards, the leadership role is a bit less comfortable for the Maryknoll senior. 

"He plays hard, but he really has a lot of good relationships with his peers and his friends. He's real soft spoken and he doesn't always like to take a leadership role. He might stand behind a guy, or be at the end of a stretching line, so he's not the most comfortable in the leadership position, but he makes a great example because of that," Heffernan explained. "Because of that, I think he earns a lot of respect from his teammates and his coaches; He doesn't seek that leadership, it's thrust upon him."

Kaululaau and the Wolfpack (3-3 overall, 1-3 league) face Damien Saturday at Farrington's Edward ‘Skippa' Diaz Stadium at Kusunoki Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

FOOTBALL

Kolu Alani, Konawaena — Threw for 229 yards and six touchdowns on 15-of-20 passing without an interception in a win oer Keaau 

Jathan Bejarano, Kailua — Caught 12 passes for 102 yards in a win over Roosevelt 

Jayden Chanel, Aiea — Caught seven passes for 152 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Farrington

Timuani Cook, Waianae — Had three sacks in a win over Moanalua 

Kainalu Davis, Roosevelt — Caught seven passes for 105 yards in a loss to Kailua 

Brock Fonoimoana, Kahuku — Scored on a 60-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Mililani 

Vaaimalae Fonoti, Kahuku — Ran 21 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Mililani 

Bishop Foumai, Aiea — Made 3 1/2 tackles, intercepted a pass and forced a fumble in a win over Farrington 

Ezekiel Gragas, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Scored on a 31-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Honokaa

Astin Hange, Punahou — Caught five passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha 

Michael Hayslett, Radford — Ran 27 times for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Castle 

Cameron Johnson, Moanalua — Caught 10 passes for 106 yards and also ran for three touchdowns in a loss to Waianae 

Davyn Joseph, Mililani — Had 205 all-purpose yards, including seven receptions for 105 yards, in a loss to Kahuku 

Kamuela Kaaihue, Roosevelt — Caught six passes for 126 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Kailua 

Tayden-Evan Kaawa, Moanalua — Threw for 353 yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-54 passing with an interception in a loss to Waianae 

Kawelu Kaiawe, Konawaena — Ran 11 times for 107 yards and a touchdown in a win over Keaau

Ryder Kapuwai-Mapu, Castle — Made 9 1/2 tackles and recovered a fumble in a loss to Radford 

Nainoa Simmons-Kaohelaulii, Kapaa — Scored on an 83-yard punt return in a win over Kauai

Kaeo Kawaakoa, Iolani — Scored on an 85-yard kickoff return for touchdown in a win over PAC-5

Kayman Lewis, Roosevelt — Threw for 415 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-42 passing with one interception in a loss to Kailua

Kuanaio Maioho, Konawaena — Made three tackles, including two for losses and one sack and scored on a  73-yard fumble return for touchdown in a win over Keaau 

Tarent Moniz-Babb, Waianae — Ran for two touchdowns and threw another in a win over Moanalua 

Jayden Montgomery-Gaopoa, Roosevelt — Caught two touchdown passes in a loss to Kailua 

Hercules Nahale, Kealakehe — Ran 25 times for 104 yards in a win over Waiakea 

Keanu Na-O, Kapaa — Scored on a 33-yard fumble return in a win over Kauai 

Ezekiel Olie, Aiea — Threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-35 passing with one interception in a win over Farrington

Romeo Ortiz, Kailua — Threw for 197 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-28 passing without an interception and ran for a touchdown in a win over Roosevelt 

Jamal Plunkett, Waianae — Ran 19 times for 181 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Moanalua 

Raymond Roller, Mililani — Scored on a 66-yard punt return in a loss to Kahuku 

Logan Rouse, Aiea — Made four tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks in a win over Farrington

John-Keawe Sagapolutele, Punahou — Threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns on 8-of-9 passing without an interception in a win over Kamehameha 

Torrance Roo Satta-Ellis, Konawaena — Caught two touchdown passes and scored on a 97-yard kickoff return for touchdown in a win over Keaau 

Dylan Schnitzer, Kamehameha-Maui — Caught six passes for 101 yards in a loss to Maui 

Reyn Shimabuku, Iolani — Scored on a 76-yard fumble return for touchdown in a win over PAC-5

Tuli Tagovailoa-Amosa, Kapolei — Threw for 271 yards and three touchdowns on 30-of-41 passing without an interception and ran seven times for 66 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Leilehua 

Coby Tanioka, Castle — Caught five passes for 116 yards and a touchdown and ran 14 times for 50 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Radford 

Geronimo Ulgaran, Aiea — Caught 11 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown in a win over Farrington 

Sila Unutoa, Aiea — Made 2 1/2 tackles for loss, including one sack, and broke up a pass in a win over Farrington 

Alai Williams, Punahou — Ran 13 times for 119 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Kamehameha 

Alexis Rodriguez

Mililani volleyball  •   #17  L/OH  Junior

The Mililani girls volleyball team is in the midst of a promising season and one of the reasons for its success this fall has been the play of Alexis Rodriguez. 

Rodriguez, a 5-foot-10 junior outside hitter, has provided steady production all year for the Trojans (11-1), who are ranked eighth in this week's ScoringLive Power Rankings and will play fourth-ranked Kahuku for the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I championship at Radford's Jim Alegre Gymnasium Wednesday night. 

In her team's playoff opener last Thursday, Rodriguez went off for a season-high 25 kills to lead West top-seed Mililani past East fourth-seed Kalani in four sets. The set scores of the quarterfinal-round match were 23-25, 25-21, 25-17 and 25-21. 

"We lost to Kalani in the preseason, granted we split our team but nevertheless we lost to them and we knew kind of what they had, but we just needed things to come together at the right time because we've done a lot of changes this season," Trojans coach Val Crabbe said. 

Crabbe's squad struggled out of the gates Thursday, evidenced by its .135 hitting percentage in the opening set. In the latter part of the set, Rodriguez got heated up with four consecutive kills. The Trojans hit .344 and .464 in sets 2 and 3, respectively, to pull ahead in the best-of-five match. Rodriguez had 17 kills after three sets, but saved her best for the fourth frame, when she tallied eight of her team's 17 kills, including the final two points of the match. 

"She's starting to become a lot more savvy with her shots," Crabbe said. "She loves to pound that ball, but she sees that whether you pound it, or tip it, or whatever – when it hits the ground, it hits the ground and it doesn't matter how hard or whatever – so I think with her shot, she's gotten more savvy."

Rodriguez had ample opportunity to mix it up. After all, she took a team-high 49 swings. Despite that, she committed only three attack errors and finished with a gaudy .449 hitting percentage. 

Crabbe said that Rodriguez has a number of things going for her. 

"She's extremely athletic, for one. I think she's been teachable and coachable and she's played in a variety of clubs, so she's been at this game, I think, a long time," Crabbe described. 

Her offensive prowess is only a part of her overall skill set, Crabbe shared of Rodriguez. 

"We've worked a lot with her on her serve-receive and it's helping her; we've concentrated a lot on serve-receive for her and her defense in the back isn't too bad because she plays the middle-back, but just a lot more consistency (lately) and she's listened and a lot of the things are just trying to help her become a whole, better player, from her serving to her serve-receive," Crabbe said. 

Crabbe noted that with Rodriguez's hopes to play collegiate volleyball in the future, it has allowed her to coach her with a greater sense of urgency. 

"I mean, it's been tough because at times we can be on her, but there's an understanding that our job – you know, her goal is to play in college," Crabbe said. "Not all the girls on our team, their goal is to play in college, (but) with her athleticism, I think that's what we should be focusing on, is to help her realize that because she has that potential, but you gotta play all the rotations, you gotta have a complete game, not just one aspect of the game. I think she understands the importance of being a very strong six-rotation player."

To that effect, Rodriguez registered 12 digs, three solo blocks, five service aces and two set assists against the Falcons. She was also 20-of-21 on serve-receive, much to the delight of Crabbe. 

"At times you can get picked on just on that serve, (but) she's done really good; She's improved a lot," Crabbe said. 

Versatility also plays in Rodriguez's favor; She started the latter half of her sophomore season at the opposite position. Much of her earlier years, however, were spent at middle blocker. 

"When you're young and tall and athletic, they always stuck her in the middle, but playing the position she's playing now as an outside, outside's gotta be able to play the six rotations and that's what you look for, is can they play all rotations," Crabbe added. 

Crabbe was keen to note that without a good set, Rodriguez would not be able to rack up the kills that she did. Consequently, without a good first touch, Asuncion – who tallied 48 assists against Kalani – would not be able to put up a good set. 

"When you can pass the ball, when our back row on serve-receive can pass the ball, then the setter is not scrambling just to put up a set and so we always say it starts at the pass: If the pass is good, the set is gonna be better and that's what happened, but we work a lot on that though," Crabbe said. 

The duo of Rodriguez and Asuncion were back at it Monday night, when the Trojans swept past West third-seed Kapolei in the semifinal round at Moanalua. Rodriguez put down a match-high 16 kills and hit .429 to go along with seven digs, two aces and a block assist, while Asuncion totaled 37 assists, five digs, three block assists, two kills and an ace. Erica Roberts chipped in with 11 kills and two digs and Paige Paaluhi came up with 10 digs, four kills and an ace. 

"(Alexis) is very quiet and reserved, but they just kind of feed off of each other," Crabbe said. "And then there's the unsung heroes on the bench, who work every day in practice but maybe don't get to play as much in the matches, but they're just as important; we really stress the team concept."

Mililani will try for its fifth OIA championship and first since it won back-to-back crowns in 2018 and 2019 when it takes on undefeated Kahuku Wednesday night. 

First serve between the Trojans and Red Raiders (12-0) is scheduled for approximately 7:37 p.m.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

Isabelle Alatini, Radford — Had 17 digs, 11 assists and one kill in a four-set loss to Kalani 

Natronai Anana, Baldwin — Had 43 digs and an ace in a five-set win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Anae Asuncion, Mililani — Had 48 assists, 15 digs and four kills in a four-set win over Kalani 

Maria Cabasag, Radford — Had 11 digs, three aces and an assist in a four-set loss to Kalani 

Jacie Chaviera, Aiea — Had 21 assists, five digs, two block assists, one kill and an assist in a three-set loss to Castle 

Kamaluhia Garcia, Moanalua — Had 28 kills, 15 digs, two block assists and two assists in a five-set loss to Kapolei 

Maya Imoto-Eakin, Iolani — Had 61 assists, six digs, two block assists and one kill in a four-set win over Punahou and had 38 assists, seven digs, four block assists, one kill and an ace in a three-set win over Punahou 

Kawena Kapu, Castle — Had 18 digs, one kill and an assist in a three-set win over Aiea

Kaitlin Kiko, Kapolei — Had 25 digs, one assist and an ace in a five-set win over Moanalua 

Leleapaoo Krug, Waianae — Had 15 kills, 12 digs, three block assists and an ace in a five-set win over Kalaheo 

Larryn-Alexis Joseph-Rodrigues, Waianae — Had 12 kills, three digs, two block assists, one solo block and an assist in a five-set win over Kalaheo 

Shayla Lacamiento, Kapolei — Had 22 assists and seven digs in a three-set win over Roosevelt and had 32 assists, 12 digs, two kills and an ace in a five-set win over Moanalua 

Ana Liilii, Aiea — Had nine kills, 13 digs, one block assist and an assist in a three-set loss to Castle 

Raymie Lum, Kalani — Had 14 kills, six digs, four aces and a solo block in a four-set win over Radford and had 15 kills, 16 digs and two assists in a four-set loss to Mililani 

Haylee Lyons, Kalani — Had 10 kills, seven digs, two block assists and an ace in a four-set win over Radford and had 22 kills, two aces, one dig, one solo block and a block assist in a four-set loss to Mililani 

Lesina Matatumua-Vermeulen, Radford — Had 13 kills, one solo block and a block assist in a four-set loss to Kalani 

Madison Millard, Kalaheo — Had 13 kills and two block assists in a five-set loss to Waianae 

Henua Moefu, Kapolei — Had 11 kills and six digs in a three-set win over Roosevelt and had 13 digs, four kills and one block assist in a five-set win over Moanalua 

Amanda Naipo, Baldwin — Had 16 kills, 18 digs, two aces and a block assist in a five-set win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Ariana Naipo, Baldwin — Had 18 digs, 29 digs and one block assist in a five-set win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Brooke Naniseni, Iolani — Had 18 kills, four digs, two block assists and one solo block in a four-set win over Punahou and had 10 kills, two digs and an assist in a three-set win over Punahou

Tessa Onaga, Iolani — Had 15 digs and three assists in a four-set win over Punahou and had 20 digs and three assists in a three-set win over Punahou 

Kyra Pagud, Moanalua — Had 15 digs, six assists and five aces in a five-set loss to Kapolei 

Lilinoe Paschoal, Baldwin — Had 48 assists, 14 digs, two aces and one kill in a five-set win over Kamehameha-Maui 

Malinah Purcell-Telefoni, Kapolei — Had 10 kills, four aces, two digs, three block assists and two solo blocks in a three-set win over Roosevelt and had 15 kills, five digs, four block assists, four aces and two solo blocks in a five-set win over Moanalua 

Erica Roberts, Mililani — Had 19 kills in a four-set win over Kalani 

Senna Roberts-Navarro, Iolani — Had 28 kills, 14 digs, two block assists and one solo block in a four-set win over Punahou and had 19 kills, eight digs, two block assists and one ace in a three-set win over Punahou 

Jadalynn Satele, Kalaheo — Had 12 kills, 17 digs, one ace and a solo block in a five-set loss to Waianae 

Jazzahlei Satele, Kalaheo — Had 39 assists, 12 digs, eight kills, two block assists, two aces and a solo block in a five-set loss to Waianae 

Maile Seeger, Kalaheo — Had 16 kills, 14 digs, one ace and a solo block in a five-set loss to Waianae 

Aleejah Sunia, Farrington — Had 13 kills, 14 digs and one ace in a three-set win over Campbell 

Ayre Takamoto, Kalani — Had 26 assists, 12 digs, one ace and a block assist in a four-set win over Radford and had 35 assists, 15 digs, three kills, two block assists and one solo block in a four-set loss to Mililani 

Lemao Taualii, Castle — Had 10 kills, nine digs and two aces in a three-set win over Aiea 

Haiti Tautuaa, Waianae — Had 30 assists, 20 digs, eight kills, two aces and a block assist in a five-set win over Kalaheo 

Lulu Uluave, Punahou — Had 10 kills and an ace in a three-set loss to Iolani 

Jorja Williams, Farrington — Had 14 kills, eight digs, two aces and a block assist in a three-set win over Campbell 

Tehani Yamashita, Aiea — Had 11 digs, two aces, one kill and an assist in a three-set loss to Castle