LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Fans decked in red streamed into the Lahainaluna High School football stadium, snacking on nachos and venison chili, bopping to the high school band’s rendition of “Sweet Caroline,” and exchanging long hugs with neighbors and classmates.
Tevainui Loft, a 17-year-old tight end and linebacker, grew up watching Lahainaluna football in the stands overlooking his hometown.
After the fire, “football was the furthest thing from my mind,” said Garret Tihada, one of the coaches, a 1987 Lahainaluna graduate.
Tihada started to talking to players, fellow coaches and community members: “They were saying, ‘We need football back.
But knowing that most of his teammates face similar circumstances has helped: “It doesn’t feel like I’m alone in this.”Bula is unsure of his plans after high school.
Persons:
“, Caroline, ”, Morgan “ Bula ” Montgomery, Richard Carosso, Luna, Mary, Ann Kobatake, James Lukela, Heather Filikitonga, It’s, “ Young, Keith Amemiya, I’ve, Amemiya, Garret Tihada, Tihada, ’ ”, Bula Montgomery, it's, Tamara Montgomery, Bula, Ai Hironaka, Precious Pante, Dean Rickard, ” ___, Mengshin Lin
Organizations:
Lahainaluna High School, Lahainaluna, JV, University of Hawaii’s, Baldwin High
Locations:
LAHAINA, Hawaii, “, Lahaina, Lahainaluna, Honolulu, Amemiya, Kahului, Kihei