On the long bus ride to Central Oahu Regional Park preceding last week’s opening round of the OIA girls water polo playoffs, Kahuku coach Makana Whitford-Leiataua provided an impromptu pep talk that would eventually set the tone for the postseason push.
The skipper encouraged her team to employ the Three P’s: patience, purpose and power.
Sophomore twins Nohea and Kahea Kahaulelio have embodied the team’s on-the-fly mission statement, and serve as double trouble for opponents while helping the Red Raiders continue their dominating run through the OIA landscape.
The 16-year-old sensations complement a balanced squad studded with seven seniors, including goalkeeper Kayla Chang. The twins are heralded for their ability to play multiple positions, which is a dream come true for Whitford-Leiataua.
The veteran skipper explains that Nohea can play any of the six positions when called upon. Kahea has spent time in the water of late as a center defender, while also serving as a go-to counter-attack specialist that races ahead on changes of possession and attempts to score while the defense scrambles into position.
"I can use both of them anywhere, and they’re only sophomores, so that helps a lot," said Whitford-Leiataua of the twins’ versatility. "We have a very talented group."
The twins took up water polo just prior to entering seventh grade. They learned the basics by participating in Kahuku’s summer program. The duo then got game experience as members of the school’s intermediate squad. They were always around the pool watching older sister Keola, now a member of the UH women’s water polo squad, play for the Red Raiders.
"Ever since we were little, my mom has been close friends with (former Kahuku coach) Aukai (Ferguson), and he wanted to help us get used to playing water polo," Nohea said. "We also get to watch our older sister play for the Rainbow Wahine, and we feel like it would be great to play water polo in college as well."
In addition to facing challenges from opponents in the pool, Kahuku’s veteran group has also dealt with a logistical problem most other schools don’t even think twice about. The Red Raiders do not have an on-campus facility and rent the nearby Brigham Young-Hawaii pool for practice. A few weeks ago a pipe broke and the pool closed.
The Kahuku team improvised by practicing for three days in backyard pools in the North Shore area.
"If you really want something, you’ve got to make it happen," Whitford-Leiataua said.
Kahuku completed an undefeated run through the OIA with a 6-4 victory over Kapolei to claim the league championship Saturday at Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center.
The Red Raiders compiled an 11-0 record in the regular season and outscored opponents 174-26 through those matches before sweeping through the playoff rounds.
In its league matches, including playoff action, only the Hurricanes were able to come within five goals of Kahuku, which also compiled five victories by at least 15 goals.
The Red Raiders have won 10 of the 11 OIA championships in the sport’s tournament history, including four in a row. However, while league success has come to be expected at the North Shore school, winning at the state championship level has been anything but smooth sailing.
ILH teams have won all nine state water polo titles, including a run of five straight by Punahou. In a preseason tournament earlier this spring, the Red Raiders faced some of the state’s top squads in tune-up action, and defeated ‘Iolani and Kamehameha while falling to the Buffanblu by one goal.
"Just from those results, my girls as well as other coaches, parents and fans, we made their heads turn: ‘Maybe Kahuku has a pretty good team this year,’ " Whitford-Leiataua said.
