In a tournament noted for stunning upsets, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion is still standing.

Punahou destroyed Kealakehe 4-0 in the Division I second semifinal of the Outrigger Hotels and Resorts Boys Soccer State Championships at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Stadium on Friday night, earning a spot in the championship for the 26th time in the 40 years of the tournament. The Buffanblu have won 19 of those title contests.

With ‘Iolani and top seed Mililani falling on the second day, the Buffanblu knew that they would be the next domino to fall in a crazy tournament if they didn’t take care of Kealakehe early.

The Waveriders are sold on the Buffanblu as state champions.

"Today, we met our limit," Kealakehe coach Urs Leuenberger said. "That is a fantastic Punahou team that just outplayed us at every position. There is going to be a time when you are going to meet the better team and tonight we did."

Punahou pounced on Kealakehe from the start, with Kendall Nishina going top shelf for the Buffanblu’s first goal in the 11th minute. Blaine Granger flicked one in three minutes later and Seann Lau headed one in off a corner kick in the 23rd minute.

The Waveriders arrived late because of traffic, and didn’t really begin competing with the Buffanblu until the second half, when they were already down 3-0.

Punahou’s fourth goal was its prettiest.

Kealakehe missed its best chance of the match when Punahou defenders cleared a ball off the line – Leuenberger still considers it a goal for his team — and the Buffanblu were at the other end in the blink of an eye. Alec Dinsmore buried a cross for Punahou’s fourth tally.

"Alec Dinsmore came through for us," Punahou keeper Henry Engel said. "We knew we had to start fast and we did, so we could rotate a lot of people in. That was important."

The Buffanblu have not lost a match since Jan. 11, when Kamehameha surprised them. Punahou is 6-0-1 since, outscoring opponents 18-1.

Punahou beat Pearl City 1-0 in the first round after being off for nine days and certainly shook off the rust on Friday night. Punahou outshot Kealakehe 13-4 in the first half and 25-9 for the game.

"For some reason, we always struggle in our first game," Punahou coach David Trifonovitch said. "I think the boys were anxious to get off to a good start and it was important that they did."

Punahou was a top seed last year, but lost to Kalani in the semifinals. The casts might be slightly different, but the players all know what is at stake.

Trifonovitch admitted that Kalani scares him because the Falcons can do so many different things.

"I was on the team last year and I am just looking for some revenge," Engel said. "I know some of their players from club and I now they have a bunch of skill players, so I am looking forward to a good game and hopefully we can pull it off."

After Kamehameha-Maui lost to Kalani earlier in the day, Kealakehe was trying to become the first neighbor island school to reach the final since Hilo lost to Mililani in 2001.

"We’ll be working on it," Leuenberger said.

"We always seem to meet Punahou, but Kealakehe will be back next year and we will do as good as we possibly can."