Tui Moe Stephenson’s years of playing soccer kick-started her place in Hawai‘i high school football lore.
Stephenson became the first female in Hawai‘i to play and score in a varsity football game when, in 1994, she scored on a point after touchdown attempt against Morse High School in the Shawn Akina Classic at Aloha Stadium.
“I was so nervous!” Stephenson said. “There were a lot of people in the stadium and there was so much hype prior to the kick that I was afraid to miss but I was more afraid to not try after everyone’s help in getting me to where I was (players, coaches, family support, etc.). I just followed the instruction of my coach, Howard Yoshino, and prayed that I would make it. I didn’t know until I saw the ref’s hands up in the air (signifying that the kick was good).”
She was a three-time All-ILH and All-State honoree in soccer, twice earning ILH Player of the Year honors. The gifted athlete earned two letters in basketball and was named the C. Dudley Pratt Award winner as a senior.