Roosevelt coach stunned by claims of misconduct

The head coach of Roosevelt High School’s wrestling team says he was "flabbergasted" when he learned that a parent accused him of kissing a female student wrestler.

"I was kind of shocked to hear any of it," said the coach, Sean Sakaida, by phone Friday. "I’m just finding out more information as I go along. I’m pretty lost as well."

Sakaida, 30, was placed on leave after school officials told him Wednesday that a parent alleged he had improper contact with a student. No other specific details were shared with him.

Roosevelt administrators could not be reached Friday afternoon, but school Principal Ann Mahi told Hawaii News Now that she met with the parent. "We immediately put the head coach on leave pending investigation," she said. She added that Sakaida will not be brought back to the position until the investigation is complete.

The Department of Education’s Civil Rights Compliance office is investigating; police are not, Hawaii News Now said. According to the station, the parent accused Sakaida of inappropriate contact with at least two female wrestlers through text messages as late as 3 a.m. and kissing a 13-year-old female wrestler.

Sakaida said he learned about the texts and the alleged kiss through the media.

"I was kind of flabbergasted," he said. "That’s totally false."

He said he doesn’t know what is prompting the allegations.

"Nothing like that happened. I never ever came on to any of my students."

He said school officials came to pick up his keys Thursday and didn’t seem to know much about the complaint.

Sakaida said he does text students who seek his advice about problems and still has former students, now in college, calling him for advice because he was always available.

"When they find out what the texts are, it’s just a student asking for help and I’m helping that student," he said. "Nothing bad about it."

Sakaida has been the school’s head coach for boys and girls on the wrestling team for the past seven years. He coached two girls who became state champions in the past four years. He is currently missing summer practice while on leave.

He said his mission has been to help students build life skills and prepare for college.

"It’s really disheartening," he said. "We’re coaches. We’re here to help people."

Sakaida said he’s hurt but is sure he’ll be vindicated.

"I’m kind of exhausted with the whole thing," he said. "I just want to get past this and move on from it."