Hawaiian Football Announces National Teams for King’s Hawaiian Football Festival

Nā ʻĀlapa HawaiʻiHawaiian Football Festival

Jul 1

WAILUKU, MAUI — Hawaiian Football proudly announces the selection of (the) 20 Nā Kāne (U20 Men’s) and 20 Nā Wāhine (U20 Women’s) National Teams. Comprising 30 Hawaiian players from the four principal islands and the diaspora, these teams will make their debut at the King’s Hawaiian Football Festival. The event will take place on Hawai‘i Island in July and will feature matches against the indigenous men’s and women’s teams of Māori Football Aotearoa.

20 NĀ KĀNE ROSTER

FORWARDS (6): Kawainui Anderson (Chaminade University, O‘ahu), Kakahi Kapua‘ala (Kamehameha Schools, Maui), Andrew Lovell (California Baptist University, O‘ahu), Kayden Medeiros (Chaminade University, Maui), Duke Romanchak (Cal Poly Humboldt, Maui), Kanilau Tolentino-Perry (University of Hawai‘i — Hilo, Hawai‘i)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Michael DeCoito, III (George Fox University, Hawai‘i), Lucas Kay-Wong (Oregon Institute of Technology, Hawai‘i), Royal Kekuewa (Hawai‘i Pacific University, O‘ahu), Micah Mills (Colorado Christian University, Hawai‘i), Maikalani Warner (H.P. Baldwin High School, Maui)

DEFENDERS (5): Kala‘iakea Duncan (Chaminade University, O‘ahu), Kaumuali‘i Harman (William Jewell College, Hawai‘i), Tyson Norr (Hawai‘i Pacific University, O‘ahu), Trent Paleka (Saint Louis School, O‘ahu), Elijah Soon (George Fox University, O‘ahu)

GOALKEEPER (1): Logan Waiau (The Talent Projekt, Hawai‘i)

20 NĀ WĀHINE ROSTER

FORWARDS (5): Maiya Kepo‘o-Deconte (Ke Kula ‘O Nāwahīokalani‘ōpu‘u Iki, Hawai‘i), Raejia-li Librando (Kamehameha Schools, Maui), Kau‘ionalani Mahi-Murray (Chaminade University, Hawai‘i), Kaahupahau Montgomery (Kamehameha Schools, O‘ahu), Aatiana Racadio-Kahoohanohano (Southwestern Oregon College, Maui).

MIDFIELDERS (5): Nyssa Hanawahine (University of Montevallo, O‘ahu), Jael Kapua‘ala (University of Nevada Las Vegas, Maui), Kastle Lyman (Sonoma State University, California), Aaliyah Racadio-Kahoohanohano (Olivet Nazarene University, Maui), Madison Sharrer (University of Colorado, O‘ahu).

DEFENDERS (5): Leila Kahoano (University of Hawai‘i — Mānoa, O‘ahu), Kilikopela Kamake‘eaina (Cal State Dominguez Hills, Maui), Evalani Keawekane (Seattle University, Maui), Kryslynn Nabarro (University of Hawai‘i — Mānoa, Hawai‘i), Jordyn Pai (Henry J. Kaiser High School, O‘ahu).

GOALKEEPER (1): Lahela Cootey (Kamehameha Schools, Hawai‘i).

HEAD COACHES: Ian Andrew Mork (Nā Kāne), Millie Dydasco (Nā Wāhine)

Newly appointed Director of Native Hawaiian Engagement at the University of Hawai‘i — Hilo, Pelenohuamea Harman, commented by saying:

“It is very befitting that Ke Kulanui o Hawai’i ma Hilo is the hosting campus of the inaugural King’s Hawaiian Football Festival. The Festival’s offerings of competitive international football coupled with intercultural education and exchange aligns perfectly with our university’s goal of becoming a leader in Native Hawaiian education.”

— Pelehonuamea Harman, Director of Native Hawaiian Engagement, UH Hilo

Māori Football Chairman and President, Phillip Pickering-Parker, spoke about the Hawaiian tour by stating:

“The King’s Hawaiian Football Festival is another giant leap of faith into unchartered football territory for Māori Football Aotearoa. As we explore the globe for playing partners, we are also breaking new ground in international indigenous football diplomacy. This tour for MFA is hugely historical! It connects us back to the Polynesian triangle and continues to allow us to aspire to compete on an emerging international platform.”

— Phillip Pickering-Parker, Chairman & Kaitiaki, Māori Football Aotearoa

MATCH SCHEDULE

Exhibition Match | Vulcan Soccer Field
2:00 pm — Hawai'i Island U23 Nā Wāhine vs. Māori Football Aotearoa 20 Nga Wāhine
4:00 pm — Hawaiʻi Island U23 Nā Kāne vs. Māori Football Aotearoa 20 Nga Tāne
Home x Away Series | Vulcan Soccer Field
1:30 pm — Māori Football Aotearoa 20 Nga Tāne vs. Nā ʻĀlapa Hawaiʻi 20 Nā Kāne
4:00 pm — Māori Football Aotearoa 20 Nga Wāhine vs. Nā ʻĀlapa Hawaiʻi 20 Nā Wāhine
Home x Away Series | Vulcan Soccer Field
9:30 am — Nā ʻĀlapa Hawaiʻi 20 Nā Wāhine vs. Māori Football Aotearoa 20 Nga Wāhine
12:00 pm — Nā ʻĀlapa Hawaiʻi 20 Nā Kāne vs. Māori Football Aotearoa 20 Nga Tāne