Nā ‘Ālapa Hawai‘i U-16 Impress at NorCal Spring College Showcase

Wāhine Finish Undefeated 3-0-1, Kāne End Showcase 2-2-0

DAVIS, CALIFORNIA – The Nā ‘Ālapa Hawai‘i U-16 Teams joined thousands of players from across Northern California at the NorCal Spring College Showcase in May, where more than 100 college recruiters scouted their next stars.

Exposure is everything, says Vernon Kapua‘ala, President of Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae (Hawaiian Football Federation).

“Exposure could mean access to college recruiters. It could mean expanded educational opportunities,” says Kapua‘ala, “It could mean securing that full-ride college scholarship.”

Many of Hawai‘i’s top players participate in the annual college showcase with their club teams, but playing for Nā ‘Ālapa Hawai‘i is different. 

“This is a patriotic exercise - an opportunity for us to cultivate a Hawaiian national identity through football,” says Kapua‘ala, “Our mission at Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae is to strengthen the educational and career pipeline for Native Hawaiians to play at the highest levels of competitive football.”