Hawaiian Football Announces the Islands' First U-18 National Teams
WAILUKU, MAUI – As a part of our commitment to building a strong sporting nation, we at Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae (the “Hawaiian Football Federation”) are pleased to announce the formation of Nā ‘Ālapa Hawai‘i, Nā Kāne and 18s – the Islands’ first Men’s and Women’s Hawaiian National Football Teams. After an extensive two–year process of scouting and pooling top Native Hawaiian talent across the main Hawaiian Islands, Hawaiian Football Technical Director, Ian Mork, selected 38 players from Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island to represent their country in international competition in Aotearoa, New Zealand, in July 2023. The final players and coaching staff will be named in the upcoming weeks.
“Bridging aloha ‘āina – as in, ‘pride of country’ – with international sport is our way of tapping into the resources, ways of knowing, and historical contexts that can empower Native Hawaiians moving forward. That is our mission, and it is coming to life.”
TRISHA KAPUA‘ALA | CHAIR & SECRETARY GENERAL, HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
For many, this would be considered our Islands’ first National Teams to travel and represent our country abroad – outside the territory of the U.S. For us, it is more of a homecoming – stepping into a region that is truly ours (the Pacific). The Hawaiian Kingdom used to lead Oceania in education, health care, political craftsmanship, and agency. Today, it is simply missing – widely accepted as being a part of the U.S. The fact that our players and their families are, “all in”, to represent Hawai‘i for the first time as a Nation-State is truly historic. From a broader perspective, it reflects the community’s growing desire to understand the history and aspects that make Hawai‘i unique. Bridging aloha ‘āina – as in, “pride of country” – with international sport is our way of tapping into the resources, ways of knowing, and historical contexts that can empower Native Hawaiians moving forward. That is our mission, and it is coming to life.
“Being a part of our Islands’ first National Teams is bigger than football. We are taking back the narrative and occupying space.”
VERNON KAPUA‘ALA | PRESIDENT & CEO, HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
There are many layers of significance in understanding matches between Kanaka Pōwāwae and Māori Football. For us, the prominent one lies in its symbolism – we are creating modern symbols of aloha ‘āina. Like our Technical Director said, we are building future National heroes – on and off the pitch. Our National Team Program is designed to engage our players, their families, and stakeholders in new forms of education – to recover our National and International Identity through our sport. Being a part of Hawai‘i’s first National Teams is bigger than just football. We are taking back the narrative and occupying space.
“We have coincided our games with the FIFA Women’s World Cup – so our players can attend matches and gain a reference for International Football at the highest level. This will be an important step in their development as players and as Native Hawaiians.”
IAN MORK | TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
Footballers across the globe dream of representing their country on the international stage. Our Nā ‘Ālapa 18s will be the pioneers. We have coincided our games with the FIFA Women’s World Cup – so our players can attend matches and gain a reference for International Football at the highest level. This will be an important step in their development as players and as Native Hawaiians. These are our future leaders and role models for our younger generations of Kānaka footballers. We are optimistic about our selections, and fully confident of our players’ abilities to represent the Nā ‘Ālapa crest. I mua Kanaka Pōwāwae!
18 NĀ KĀNE ROSTER
FORWARDS (5): Kawainui Anderson (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC - Nā Koa), Zyan Ha-Ahu [Hawai‘i Island, Talent Projekt (Germany)], Kaumuali‘i Harman (Hawai‘i Island, Nā Hoa O Puna SC/Albion SC Hawai‘i), Andrew Lovell (O‘ahu, FC Hawai‘i), Duke Romanchak (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i), Kaulia Shiroma (Kaua‘i, Albion SC Hawai‘i)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Kala‘iakea Duncan (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Andre Estaniqui, Jr. (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), James Haynes (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i), Lucas Kay-Wong (Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Royal Kekuewa (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Kanilauilanamalie Tolentino-Perry (Hawai‘i Island, Nā Hoa O Puna SC/Albion SC Hawai‘i)
DEFENDERS (6): William Henderson [Hawai‘i Island, Talent Projekt (Germany)], Cayden Abordo Nakashima (O‘ahu, Honolulu Bulls SC), Trenton Kiesel (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Manoa Knight (Kaua‘i, Kaua‘i Braveheart FC), Ryan Merchant (Maui, Washington Premier FC), Tyson Norr (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Justin Tilton (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC)
GOALKEEPER (1): Logan Waiau [Hawai‘i Island, Talent Projekt (Germany)]
18 NĀ WĀHINE ROSTER
FORWARDS (5): Jordyn Eldredge Sagapolutele (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahī SC), Kau‘ionalani Mahi-Murray (Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Nikki Mau (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC), Alexyz Nakamoto (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC), Kailee Wilson (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC)
MIDFIELDERS (7): Teani Sunset Bento (O‘ahu, Honolulu Bulls SC), Kaiya-Juliette Kapaku (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i), Jael Kapua‘ala (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Zoe Maikai (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC), Aubree Panui (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Surf SC), Kealani Warner (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i)
DEFENDERS (7): Rylie Burghardt (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahī SC), Nāli‘ipō‘aimoku Harman (Hawai‘i Island, Chicas SC), Kainani Jacang (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC), Maile Kehano (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Kryslynn Nabarro (Hawai‘i Island, Chicas SC), Kailea Tuitele (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC)
GOALKEEPER (1): Malia Felix (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i SA)