Benetton Fonua

Kahuku • Sports: Football, basketball • GPA: 3.5 • College: Hawaii

There was, to say the least, incredible turmoil off the field for the Kahuku Red Raiders in the span of just two seasons.

In the midst of the storm, there were many rock-solid young men who persevered and guided Kahuku past all obstacles en route to a state football title last fall.

Among the biggest reasons was a linebacker named Benetton "Benny" Fonua. The 6-foot-1, 216-pound stopper was adept not only at crushing opponents’ ground games, but also in pass coverage. Defensive coordinator Kimo Haiola’s schemes demanded greatness from key pieces like Fonua and he responded.

Coaches and media across the state witnessed for themselves and voted him All-State defensive player of the year. But his impact will last as long — perhaps longer — than anything he has already done on the gridiron.

"He epitomizes the term ‘student-athlete,’ " Kahuku coach Reggie Torres said of Fonua, who has a 3.5 grade-point average. "He’s a humble kid who has a lot of respect from his teachers, his coaches and his teammates. He addresses adults by ‘sir’ or ‘ma’am.’ He worked his butt off in the offseason and he tries to be perfect. If he makes a mistake, he works hard to correct it."

It was during the 2010 season that Kahuku was disqualified from the OIA playoffs one day before the league championship game due to a "clerical error" — the possibility that an ineligible player had played in regular-season games. In the offseason, linebacker Keoni Tafuna was found dead at a relative’s home. Later, Torres was suspended by the administration after summer football camp. A substance brought to camp by junior-varsity players led to a team-wide disciplinary action, with Torres and his JV coach being suspended.

Still, Fonua and his teammates marched forward. Torres was eventually reinstated, and Kahuku’s defensive unit developed into the most formidable in the state.