The Punahou Varsity football team traveled to San Diego to play Centennial High School in the SoCal Honor Bowl, representing the best teams in their respective regions. The Aug. 30 – Sept. 4 trip was jam-packed with buff ’n blue activities for the team, alumni, parents and friends of Punahou.
Saturday’s game at Cathedral Catholic High School was an exciting one, as the teams battled down to the last seven seconds with Punahou in a 43-42 lead until the Centennial Huskies scored to take the win.
Alumni from Southern California showed support for the team during a pre-game picnic and pep rally. They also joined students during a special alumni event on Sunday to watch the baseball game between the San Diego Padres and the San Francisco Giants.
While in San Diego, students toured the University of San Diego and San Diego State University. At SDSU, they toured the athletics facilities with the university’s entire football coaching staff, who shared motivational words with the Punahou players ahead of the big game.
From afar, the students gathered in shirts inscribed with “Aloha Maui Nui” to participate in Hawai‘i’s Friday vigil for those affected by the Maui fires. Chaplain George Scott and Kumu Kealohi Reppun led the team in prayer, chants and song with Academy Principal Gustavo Carrera and other Punahou administration also in attendance.
The trip was a great experience for the team and a “privilege,” said Chaperone and Academy Dean Marguerite “Reet” Ashford-Hirano ’71. “Not only did the boys represent Punahou and Hawai’i well in the Honor Bowl, but there was also a great deal of team bonding and growth. We return to Punahou a stronger team and, for many of the boys, with a new perspective on what our future holds.”
Cheer on the team as they face Campbell on Sept. 15.
Photos by Ray Kunishige