Kaimuki festivities bolster community pride

The Kaimuki Carnival, a long weekend of rides, games and food benefiting Kaimuki High School’s athletic programs, is back for a second year thanks to the efforts of Kaimuki Bulldogs football coach David Tautofi.

In 2016 it had been nearly 40 years since the high school hosted a carnival. Tautofi, a Kaimuki High alumnus who graduated in 1999, said he was motivated to get the carnival organized as a way to bring the community together and bring pride back to the school.

Tautofi grew up in Palolo Valley and was a star athlete throughout high school, playing basketball, baseball and football. He went on to attend Missouri Valley College and later Fresno City College before signing on with a full scholarship to play football at UCLA in 2001.

After graduating from college with a degree in sociology and marine science, Tautofi was set to move to Boston for a new career opportunity. However, his plans changed after a visit back home, where he was shocked to see high school-age youth from his community drinking openly and seemingly at loose ends.

He couldn’t get the images out of his mind. “Everything started flashing back to my upbringing there and how different it was when we were growing up, to how it was at that moment that I saw them,” he said.

“I thought that maybe a couple of weeks of just getting back to my normal environment of work, I would be able to shake it off, but it was like a seed that got planted in me,” Tautofi said. “It wasn’t that I felt I could be the one to change it; I felt that we just needed someone to bring everyone together somehow and make a difference, while we have time.”

As it happened, Kaimuki High School was looking for a football coach. Tautofi, who is a devout Christian, accepted what he said “felt like a calling” and applied for the job.

Since Tautofi’s return to Hawaii, the football team has gained some traction. The energy and attitude of the school and its players have improved, said Cal Lee, Saint Louis School head football coach.

“He just wants to help kids, and I think that’s what coaching is all about: helping kids to teach them about life, not only about football,” Lee said. “You’re coaching football, but you’re teaching discipline, respect, responsibility — all the life skills involved in being a young man.”

He added, “I think he’s just a great role model; that’s how I look at him. He’s sincere, he cares, so that’s the kind of guy you want your son playing for.”

Billy Masima, a former team member who graduated from Kaimuki High School last year, said he had a good experience playing under Tautofi.

“Coach T is a family-oriented guy,” Masima said. “He really cares about his family, and that’s what he brings to the football team. He just creates a family-based type of program.”

The Kaimuki Carnival raises money for the school’s athletic and school teams. Tautofi estimates that last year’s efforts garnered a little over $5,000 — despite the fact that in 2016, threatened by Hurricane Darby, the boosters and E.K. Fernandez had to shut down, tear down rides and tents, and reopen the following weekend.

E.K. Fernandez provides the rides, games and food wagons. Food booths and other activities are operated by Kaimuki High.

Live entertainment from the Performing Artist Academy, Augie T and Native Roots is on the schedule.

Tautofi said he hopes the carnival will help change people’s perception of the school and its students while providing a good time.

Community organizations will be on hand with information booths. There will also be a white elephant sale and a fresh-produce booth.

“It’s easy to focus on ourselves and say what’s inconvenient for us and take ourselves out of the picture — but in reality, giving back is really giving outside of you,” Tautofi said. “I feel like you’re blessed a lot more when you give.”