It was said that John Kamana III was as fast on the track as he was physical on the football field. A three- sport star who could out- rebound players several inches taller on the basketball court, Kamana was known as one of the most gifted all-around athletes to ever come through Punahou.
At roughly 6-feet-2-inches tall and about 220 pounds, he still clocked what remains the fifth-fastest time in School history in the 100-meter dash (10.7 seconds, hand-timed). On the court, he played on three state championship basketball teams from 1978 to 1980 and was known as much for his shooting as his defense. He earned three varsity letters each in track and basketball.
A three-year letter winner in football, too, Kamana played fullback, tight end and wide receiver for the Buff ’n Blue. Following in the footsteps of his father, John “Squeeze” Kamana Jr., he starred at fullback for the University of Southern California, where he played alongside dozens of future NFL stars including Ronnie Lott and Marcus Allen. Kamana enjoyed a stint in the NFL himself, logging time with the Los Angeles Rams in 1984 and the Atlanta Falcons in 1987.