Hawaiian Football Announces the Islands' First U-16 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 ‘Ōpio Kāne and Wāhine 16s – the Islands’ first 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 39 players from Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island to represent their country at the NorCal Premier College Showcase in Spring 2023. The final player and coaching staff will be named in the upcoming weeks.
“This unique opportunity with NorCal bridges [the] gap, while creating a space where the collective expression of Hawaiian nationalism can be consolidated, maintained, and shared.”
TRISHA KAPUA‘ALA | CHAIR & SECRETARY GENERAL, HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
A big “mahalo nui” to NorCal Premier, for this opportunity to expose our National Team players and their families to what we are considering international competition. College attendance in the Continental U.S. – through sport – is a strong driver and measure of achievement for Hawai‘i players overall. However, access to higher levels of education and competition continues to be a barrier – particularly for Native Hawaiians. This unique opportunity with NorCal bridges that gap, while creating a space where the collective expression of Hawaiian nationalism can be consolidated, maintained, and shared.
IAN MORK | TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
We are excited to showcase our top Kānaka talents. The Nā ‘Ālapa 16s will be the first players to wear the Hawaiian Islands’ crest and Coat of Arms in competition. They are the future Kānaka heroes for our Nā ‘Ālapa Mens’ and Womens’ Teams. We are confident that the selected players on each roster will be exemplary ambassadors and warriors for Hawai‘i as a Nation-State. We have a great balance of attacking and defending players in both squads – very competitive groups – and several of our players are versatile enough to play in a second position.
We have an outstanding Technical Staff – including international advisors – who will continue to work with our Hui and players. Their technical guidance will ensure that we keep professional standards during our National Team programming, and they will serve as role models for our players. I want to extend my appreciation to all of them – for their work thus far and for our future work together. I mua Kanaka Pōwāwae!
“Now, we can be Hawaiian through football. We are providing a modern symbol of aloha ‘āina – one that transcends the traditional idea of being connected to the land and sea.”
VERNON KAPUA‘ALA | PRESIDENT & CEO, HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
Mahalo nui, to all of the Club Directors, Club Coaches, and Parents for their belief in our Vision and Mission. Their trust helped to build this historic National Team for Hawai‘i and Native Hawaiians. More importantly, they have become stakeholders and a part of the community we are building through sport. Forming National Teams is an important step in recovering our identity as Native Hawaiians. We are practitioners through football. Some express their “Hawaiian-ness” through language, agriculture, or through the arts. Now, we can be Hawaiian through football. We are providing a modern symbol of aloha ‘āina – one that transcends the traditional idea of being connected to the land and sea. We are creating patriots through sport.
16 NĀ ‘ŌPIO KĀNE ROSTER
FORWARDS (5): Madden Aquino (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Micah Chung (Hawai‘i Island, Nā Hoa O Puna SC), Justin Drew (Hawai‘i Island, Kona Crush SA/Albion SC Hawai‘i), Tyler Fujimoto (O‘ahu, Hawaiʻi Rush SC), Aukele Paikuli-Campbell (Hawai‘i Island, Kona Crush SA/Hawai‘i Rush SC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Daniel Aiu III (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC - Nā Koa), Azis Camerrer (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Elliot Chai (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Keli Fisher (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC - Nā Koa), Kawika Miyamoto (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC - Nā Koa) Maikalani Warner (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i)
DEFENDERS (7): Kamalei Gonsalves (Kaua‘i, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Kakahi Kapua‘ala (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i), Mikah Labuanan (Maui, Valley Isle SA), Trent Paleka (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC - Nā Koa), Elijah Parayno (Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i FC), Kaleb Santos (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i SA), Micah Yamato (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC)
GOALKEEPER (1): Jacob Aiona (Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Rush SC/Lē‘ahi SC - Nā Koa)
16 NĀ ‘ŌPIO WĀHINE ROSTER
FORWARDS (5): Samantha Abernathy (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Raejia-li Librando (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i/Whitfield SC), Kaahupahau Montgomery (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC), Mya Pasion (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC), Haley-Scott Recarte (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC)
MIDFIELDERS (6): Hayley Hanawahine (O‘ahu,Lē‘ahi SC), Kilikopela Kamake‘e‘āina (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i), Brooke Peiler (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC), Delina-Marie Piho (O‘ahu, Ho‘omau/Whitfield SC), Nalei Shannon (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC), Ceydie Whitfield (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC)
DEFENDERS (8): Sofia Abernathy (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Mya Kishida (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC), Bella Kuailani (Maui, Hawai‘i Rush SC), Kuhela Ledward (O‘ahu, Lē‘ahi SC), Sarah Naumu (O‘ahu, Whitfield SC), Mattison Taira (O‘ahu, Hawai‘i Rush SC), McKenna Tang (O‘ahu, FC Hawai‘i), Tori Zackious (Maui, Albion SC Hawai‘i)
GOALKEEPER (1): Lahela Cootey (Hawai‘i Island, Hawai‘i Rush SC)