Players are still showing up late to Lahainaluna football practice during preseason camp.
Though not entirely excusable, it is understandable for a team that has players scattered across the Valley Isle.
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On Thursday, morning practice was held exactly one year after the devastating wildfires on Lahaina began, a particularly melancholy reminder of what the team continues to endure in its new reality. Players on the team did not have school in order to attend memorial events during the day.
“It was a somber day," Lunas head coach Dean Rickard acknowledged to KHON2.com. "Not only our football team, but for myself and the coaches, but also the entire community. At the same time, everybody’s still feeling the impact of what happened, no doubt about it. We’re still trying to move forward.”
As the blaze continued to wipe out their hometown last year, members of the team decided that the best path forward was to keep playing. Logistical delays pushed their season back, but when they eventually returned to the field, the Lunas extended their MIL winning streak to 44 before narrowly falling to Kapa'a 29-28 in the first round of the HHSAA playoffs.
Success on the gridiron has been the standard and expectation at Lahainaluna for years. After the wildfires, members of the team experienced ways to intertwine themselves in the community about football. When Rickard looks back at that hectic time, that's the part that makes him the most proud.
"We try to teach these kids to be the best representations of themselves and for their community and just become well-respected, humble and productive members of this community, and that’s all we ask for from our kids, regardless of how we do win-loss wise," he said. "The thing is, we want to prepare them for life, basically. I think most football programs do that. We’re no different here at Lahainaluna and that’s what we’re trying to do: Make sure that these kids become a productive part of our community and hoping that someday, they’ll give back in that aspect.
"A lot of them were thrown into the mix last year at this time. They were involved immediately at the (relief) hubs helping out even though they were going through the devastation themselves. They were there helping out at the hubs helping out with water, doing different things. But at the same time, wanting to play football, which is why we ended up having a season, because of the kids and their willingness to continue with the season. That just speaks a lot about the kids and their resiliency and wanting to become part of the solution instead of dwelling on what was taking place at the time.”
One year later, Lahainaluna is experiencing as much of a normal offseason as it can. The Lunas are able to practice regularly on campus, though Rickard estimates "a little less than half" of the team is still displaced. Some Lunas now live upcountry in towns such such as Paia, while others are temporarily staying in Kihei.
Traffic extends the commute at times, making some players late. Though not the most convenient situation, it's given Rickard an early glance of his team's leadership.
“The seniors self-impose discipline after practice, kids who were late or missed a weightlifting session, the seniors will regulate it which is good to see," Rickard said. "So far, nobody has complained about it. Any time they get extra conditioning in, it’s always a plus, right?"
On the field, the Lunas are a young team that lost dozens of seniors to graduation in 2023 but are eager to build upon the program's success. Lahainaluna won four straight HHSAA Division II titles from 2016 to 2019. When the state tournament returned in 2021, the Lunas moved up to Division I and reached the state title game, the furthest they've been in their quest for a D-I title thus far.
Rickard mentioned offensive lineman Simione Olakatau and Kawika Kaili as seasoned veterans on a squad full of players eager to prove themselves with extended playing time.
The Lunas are taking on a challenge off the bat, accepting an invitation to host Kapolei of the Open Division on Aug. 16. The Hurricanes began their season with a 28-7 win at Waianae on Friday, a solid display for quarterback Tama Amisone, a San Jose State commit, who scored four touchdowns.
Lahainaluna football was a point of pride for West Maui far before the wildfires. In 2024, Rickard says it's up to his veterans to define the type of team the community will continue to show up for on Friday nights.
“We told the seniors, ‘This is your time. This is your year and let’s see what this year’s version of Lahainaluna is going to be.’ They’re up to the challenge," Rickard said.