Kealakehe football players headed to the next level

KAILUA-KONA – A pair of Kealakehe football players are moving up.

The Waveriders’ Sheynen Nahale and Gasetoto “Big Jay” Apisala signed their commitments to play football in college Friday night at Kealakehe High School.

Kealakehe’s head coach Wyatt Nahale spoke highly of both players prior to them signing Friday evening. He highlighted Apisala’s transformation from a green athlete who knew very little about football when he arrived at Kealakehe to a key figure on the Waveriders’ 2021 squad.

“I don’t think Big Jay even knew about cleats; I think he came to the first day of practice in flip flops,” said Wyatt. “To see him go off and do great things moving forward, I’m so proud of him… Wherever he goes, people love him because of his genuine personality.”

The father-son journey between Wyatt and Sheynen helped the Waverider QB reach the next level, though Wyatt was quick to spread credit to those surrounding him.

“It truly takes a village to raise a young man or a young woman in our community,” said Wyatt.