Waiakea has decided “to go in a different direction” and dismissed girls basketball coach Brandon Kauhi, who led the Warriors to their first BIIF Division I title since 2008.
Warriors athletic director Tom Correa cited privacy issues and declined to comment but said the “school decided to go in a different direction.”
The team loses just one starter in guard Zaelynn Lui-Cabinatan and three other seniors, guards Claire Kaneshiro and Sara Iwahiro and forward Madison Hwang.
The bulk of the lineup returns, headlined by junior guard Kelsie Imai, junior forward Keeli-Jade Smith, sophomore forward Jazelle Dorser, sophomore guard Desytnee Williams, and junior guard Tayvia Cabatbat.
“The girls had a great year,” Kauhi said in a text message. “I couldn’t be any more proud of them. They worked hard all season, and it showed. I wish them and their families nothing but the best.”
On Jan. 10, Waiakea’s senior night, the Warriors hammered Konawaena 54-22, stopping the Wildcats’ 10-year-plus BIIF winning streak at 124 games.
The Warriors fell to OIA runner-up Kalani 7-43 in the quarterfinals of the HHSAA Division I tournament on Oahu. Waiakea beat OIA champion Kahuku 56-53 for fifth place.
Konawaena lost to eventual state champion Iolani 43-22 in the semifinals. The Wildcats defeated Kalani 52-44 for third place. The Wildcats had previously won the last four state titles.