Hawaiian National Teams Impress at NorCal Spring College Showcase
WAILUKU, MAUI — Competing against some of the top youth soccer clubs on the West Coast, the Hawaiian National Team’s 16 Nā Wāhine and 17 Nā Kāne squads delivered strong performances at the 2026 NorCal Premier Spring College Showcase from May 14-17 at Davis Legacy Soccer Complex.
[VIEW 2026 ROSTERS: 16 NĀ WĀHINE x 17 NĀ KĀNE]
With nearly 100 college coaches in attendance and hundreds of players competing throughout the weekend, the showcase provided a valuable opportunity for Hawaiian players to test themselves against elite competition and gain exposure to collegiate programs across the country.
The 16 Nā Wāhine finished the weekend unbeaten with a 2-1-0 record, while the 17 Nā Kāne posted a 1-1-1 record against ECNL, ECNL Regional League, and professional academy opposition.
“This was an outstanding opportunity for our players,” said Hawaiian Football Technical Director and 17 Nā Kāne Head Coach Ian Mork. “They showcased their talent, they showcased their potential, and there are going to be opportunities that come from this experience.”
Strong Start for Nā Wāhine
The 16 Nā Wāhine opened the showcase in dominant fashion with a 10-0 victory over Reno APEX Soccer Club 10G ECNL RL.
Goals came from throughout the roster as Cara Gouveia, Joy Kawamura, Faith Kawamura, Sky Smith, Mia Toeina, Mikaela Hargis, and Kamaile Dillon all contributed to the attack.
For Gouveia, the result reflected how quickly players from different islands, clubs, and backgrounds came together.
“I think we did really good for our first game,” Gouveia said. “We picked up on what the coaches wanted us to do really quickly, and I’m happy for all the girls who got goals today.”
The girls followed with a resilient 2-2 draw against longtime showcase rival Placer United 10G ECNL after overcoming a two-goal deficit.
Sky Smith and Joy Kawamura scored the equalizers as Nā Wāhine adjusted to difficult wind conditions that impacted play throughout the weekend.
“I think everyone picked it up in the second half,” Smith said. “The wind was tough, but we adjusted and fought back.”
The weekend concluded with a 2-1 victory over Pleasanton RAGE 10 ECNL.
Mia Toeina and Faith Kawamura provided the goals as the girls completed an unbeaten showcase campaign.
Nā Kāne Tested by Elite Opposition
The 17 Nā Kāne opened the weekend with a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Placer United 09B ECNL, a club that will compete in this year’s ECNL National Tournament.
Emmitt Brown scored the Hawaiian National Team’s first goal of the showcase and was a consistent attacking threat throughout the weekend.
College coaches in attendance took notice of the team’s ability to compete against a club that has spent years playing together despite the Hawaiian side having only a limited preparation period.
The boys then faced Sacramento Republic FC U17, one of Northern California’s top professional academy programs.
Goals from Iopa Quintana and Brown helped build a 2-0 halftime lead before Sacramento Republic rallied for a 3-2 victory.
Despite the result, the match highlighted the team’s ability to compete against one of the strongest opponents in the showcase.
“We started off strong,” Quintana said. “We battled hard back and forth and most of us did our part against a very good team.”
The boys closed the weekend with their most complete performance, defeating Legends FC SJ 09B Elite 4-0.
Quintana, Laʻi Abafo, Ian Beauchemin, and Brown all found the back of the net as the team finished the showcase on a high note.
“We all came together as one,” Beauchemin said. “It was a great way to end the weekend.”
Diaspora Players Strengthen Program
The showcase also highlighted the continued growth of the Hawaiian National Team’s global player pool.
Players traveled from Washington, California, and Massachusetts to join teammates from Oʻahu, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island.
Seattle-based midfielder Ryenn Lyman joined the squad just days before departure and immediately made an impact on and off the field.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts defender Cody Kahoaliʻi returned for his second year with the program after competing in MLS NEXT environments on the East Coast.
“It’s really important to me,” Kahoaliʻi said. “Being able to learn more about my culture and represent it through soccer means a lot.”
More Than Football
While the showcase centered around competition and recruitment, players also participated in cultural programming led by Pikoʻu Hawaiʻi educators Kuʻuwehi and Kāhea Hiraishi.
Through opening and closing piko sessions, athletes explored Hawaiian identity, genealogy, protocol, and responsibility while representing Hawaiʻi away from home.
Head Coach Noelani Bio believes that combination of culture and competition is what makes the program unique.
“They’re such special kids,” Bio said. “They represent where they’re from, who they are, and their families with so much aloha.”
Looking Ahead
By the conclusion of the showcase, both teams had demonstrated they could compete against some of the top youth programs in Northern California.
More importantly, they strengthened the relationships and experiences that continue to define the Hawaiian National Team pathway.
With college coaches watching, elite competition across the field, and players representing Hawaiʻi from around the world, the weekend served as another step forward in the continued growth of Hawaiian Football.
2026 NĀ ‘ĀLAPA HAWAI‘I — NATIONAL TEAMS
16 Nā Wāhine Team Roster
HEAD COACH: Noelani Bio
ASSISTANT COACH: Kāhealani Hiraishi
GOALKEEPER COACH: Tiana Miyashiro
FORWARDS (6): Kaliʻa Aina (Hawaiʻi Rush SC), Mikaela Hargis (Albion SC Hawaiʻi), Faith Kawamura (FC Hawaiʻi), Joy Kawamura (Lēʻahi SC), Mella Mae Samson (Lēʻahi SC), Mia Toeaina (Mustang SC)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Cara Gouveia (FC Hawaiʻi), Ke'ale Haʻake (Albion SC Hawaiʻi), Ryenn Lyman (Seattle Reign SC), Hihimanu Montgomery (Hawaiʻi Surf SC), Skyy Smith (Lēʻahi SC)
DEFENDERS (6): Mahealani Calibraro (FC Hawaiʻi), Kamaile Dillon (Walnut Creek Surf), Hinatea Kodani (Albion SC Hawaiʻi), Pomaikaʻi Oneha (Hawaiʻi Rush SC), Kaylee Shimose (Hawaiʻi Surf SC), Taliyah Taaga (Lēʻahi SC)
GOALKEEPER: Emma Chochol (Lēʻahi SC)
[ VIEW PLAYERS x HOMETOWNS x ISLANDS ]
17 Nā Kāne Team Roster
HEAD COACH: Ian Andrew Mork
ASSISTANT COACH: Millie Dydasco
GOALKEEPER COACH: Tiana Miyashiro
FORWARDS (5): Ian Beauchemin (FC Hawaiʻi), Emmett Christian Brown, Makoa Kapuniai (Maui Strikers SC), Iopa Quintana (Nā Hoa o Puna), Duke Scobie (Albion SC Hawaiʻi)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Laʻi Abafo (Maui Strikers SC), Ty Arakawa (Maui Strikers SC), Lucas Ginoza (FC Hawaiʻi), Owen Holt (Albion SC Hawaiʻi), Princeton Kuamoʻo (Nā Hoa o Puna SC)
DEFENDERS (6): Kamaluhia Anderson (Lēʻahi Nā Koa), Kamaka Apana (Lēʻahi Nā Koa), Teagan Chee (FC Hawaiʻi), Kaikea Higa (Hawaiʻi Rush SC), Cody Kahoaliʻi (Bayside FC), Kaleb Santos (Lēʻahi Nā Koa)
GOALKEEPER: Kamaokeanuenue Medeiros (Lēʻahi Nā Koa)
[ VIEW PLAYERS x HOMETOWNS x ISLANDS ]
National Team Tour Staff
MANAGERS: Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi, Leinaʻala Tsubata
MEDIA: Hezekiah Kapuaʻala
ABOUT THE FEDERATION
Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae (Hawaiian Football) is a Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit organization established to represent Hawaiʻi and Hawaiians through the global game of football. Through Nā ʻĀlapa Hawaiʻi—Hawaiʻi’s National Football Teams—we create pathways for athletes across Hawaiʻi and the Hawaiian diaspora to grow, compete, and proudly represent Hawaiʻi on a larger stage.
Grounded in the values of pono, aloha ʻāina, and aloha kānaka, our work is guided by kuleana to people, place, and the legacy we inherit from those who came before us. We believe football can do more than develop athletes—it can strengthen discipline, belonging, leadership, and connection to Hawaiʻi while creating opportunities that reach far beyond the game.
Our vision is to sustain a footballing nation grounded in Hawaiian character, identity, and collective responsibility, with our National Teams serving as living expressions of who we are and what we carry forward together.
KU‘I KA LONO
HAWAIIAN FOOTBALL NEWS
