Kahuku enters 2024 season as three time defending state champs

The 2024 Hawaii high school football season kicks off this weekend, with the spotlight once again on the North Shore of Oahu as the Kahuku Red Raiders aim to continue their dynasty.

Kahuku enters the season as the three-time defending Open Division state champions, ranked 30th in the MaxPreps preseason national poll.

Despite needing to replace the majority of its offensive production, the team boasts a defense with high-profile experience, featuring Utah-bound Mana Carvalho and Max Fonoimoana, along with California commit Aiden Manutai.

According to head coach Sterling Carvalho, the 2024 Red Raiders are focused on creating their own legacy rather than relying on past successes.

"Knowing that a lot of these players didn't win a championship, you know, hit the reset button and these guys have to earn it," Coach Carvalho said. "They have to earn their state championship, their state title. So it motivates them for them to carry on the tradition of those that were before them. And that's all we want to make sure that they understand that they're not entitled to anything. They're not guaranteed nor promised anything. So they got to go out there and earn it, just like all the other teams in the past."

Senior defensive back and receiver Mana Carvalho echoed this sentiment. "Once we started training with this new squad, and that's all in the p...