When Waiakea senior Kalia Franklin was just four years old, her parents made a decision that seemed small at the time, but one that ultimately changed the trajectory of their daughter’s life.
They enrolled Franklin in youth soccer, eager for their daughter to step outside of her comfort zone and meet keiki her age in the community.
“My parents signed me up for soccer as a way to socialize and stay active,” Franklin told West Hawaii Today. “I was always shy, and soccer became an outlet to just be myself.”
Soon enough, Franklin fell in love with the adrenaline rush the sport provided, especially when she managed to score goals.
“There’s no better feeling of teamwork and personal accomplishment in seeing the ball hit the back of the net,” Franklin explained. “In a game where goals are extremely hard to come by, each one feels unique and has a place in my heart.”
Franklin’s love for knocking the ball between the posts only grew, and the family decision to involve her in soccer soon looked like one of the best decisions they ever made. Franklin quickly became one of the best youth girls soccer players on the island, taking her talents all the way to the Waiakea Warriors girls soccer team. In her senior season this past fall, Franklin’s knack to score was put on full display — leading her team in goals with 15 and helping Waiakea reach a 12-2 overall record and win the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I title, along with a state tournament appearance.
Franklin scored a goal in the island championship against Hilo on Jan. 22, two in the Jan. 31 state quarterfinal against Waipahu and a hat trick in the Feb. 1 consolation match against Campbell. The team’s 3-2 penalties loss to the Marauders ended state-title hopes.
Franklin’s late-season surge was a long time coming, considering she missed the state playoffs in the previous three seasons due to injury and club soccer commitments.
“This was my first time competing in states,” Franklin explained. “So getting to compete in the state tournament was an accomplishment in itself for me. Scoring five goals in the two (state) games we played was the cherry on top.
“I think the team played with purpose, determination and selflessness. My goal and the team’s goal was to bounce back in 2025 and reclaim the BIIF title. For all of the seniors, it was our ‘last dance,’ so we wanted to go out with a bang. No one was in it for themselves — everyone played the roles they were asked to play. We had different heroes in each game.”
Franklin’s superb play was quickly recognized around the state, and Franklin was then recently named to the Star-Advertiser’s All-State First Team — one of Hawaii’s highest honors in youth soccer. Only four forwards in the state are named to the team, and Franklin was one of them.
Since it is rare that a Big Island athlete gets named to the first team, Franklin was honored to be chosen among the state’s best. She even used the selection as an opportunity to give a special shoutout to all BIIF athletes.
“It is awesome (to be selected to the first team),” Franklin said of her selection. “But at the same time, I think the Big Island has a lot of talent that is sometimes underappreciated on a bigger scale, so I am happy I could represent all of the Big Island players.”
Franklin added that while she appreciates the recognition of being listed on the All-State team, she ultimately wished her team would have advanced further in the postseason instead.
“The personal accolades are nice, but it would’ve been even more special to bring back the first state title to Waiakea,” she explained. “I’ve been competing against a lot of the girls I played in states in club soccer for my whole life, so I didn’t feel like I had a lot to prove individually (in the tournament). I think the soccer culture and competition on the Big Island is strong, so I was hoping to make a deep run in states to reinforce the fact that Big Island ‘got game.’”
Franklin added that her fondest memory from her All-State season was with her sister teammate, Ailani Franklin. Franklin was also a critical piece for the Lady Warriors, scoring a goal in the BIIF championship game alongside her sibling.
“It was the first and last time we won (BIIFs) together, so this was not only the highlight of my senior season, but also of my high school career,” Kalia Franklin said.
Franklin’s soccer journey that began at four years old seems to have paid off, as she is currently committed to play for Washington State University next fall — joining a women’s soccer program that placed fourth in the West Coast Conference (WCC) in 2024. She hopes to bring the same leadership, intensity and talent she possessed with the Lady Warriors over to the Cougars.
“I am feeling excited and blessed for the challenge and opportunity to represent my next school,” Franklin said. “Playing for Waiakea has given me a sense of pride in playing for something bigger than myself, and having the honor of representing the school and its traditions.”
Franklin also had no shortage of people she wanted to thank for helping her get to this point.
“I would like to thank God, my club coaches Coach Daniel, Coach Kirsty and Coach Shawn, my high school coaches Coach Petner and Coach Terry and my teammates.
“Most importantly I would like to thank my parents for their unwavering love and sacrifices, including my favorite coach — my dad.”
Franklin’s teammate, senior Charlie Silva, was named to the Star-Advertiser’s All-State Second Team. Silva was another central contributor for the Lady Warriors, finishing second on the team in goals with seven.
Waiakea’s Megan Nakamura-Nirei and Sadee Tamanaha, Hawaii Prep’s Madie Buczyna, Hilo’s Aneala Sibayan and Kamehameha-Hawaii’s Lahela Cootey, Kahalia Huddleston and Madisyn Meyers were the BIIF players named to the honorable mention list.
The full list of selections can be found below:
First Team
Forwards
• Kalia Franklin, Waiakea
• Deizha Lyn Jacinto, Waipahu
• Mya Pasion, KSK
• Maya Yoshimura, Punahou
Midfielders
• Leila Leano, Mililani
• Madison Sharrer, KSK
Defenders
• Kaya Leslie, KSK
• Kyla Okamoto, Mililani
• Haley-Scott Recarte, Punahou
• Emily Sparks, Punahou
Goalkeeper
• Xeyana Salanoa, Punahou
Second Team
Forwards
• Kaia Borje-Peeples, Moanalua
• Maya George, Mililani
• Kulia Montgomery, KSK
Midfielders
• Jas Cayetano, Mililani
• Sarah Naumu, KSK
• Miyah Suster, Campbell
Defenders
• Erin Kumasaka, Mililani
• Camryn Kunihisa, Mililani
• Erika Marciel, Punahou
• Charlie Silva, Waiakea
Goalkeeper
• Marisa Lam, Moanalua
