Konawaena star a college qualifier

One of the state’s top defensive tackles is looking for a new home.

Mike Andrade, Konawaena’s 6-foot-2, 260-pound stopper, is now "Division I eligible," according to assistant coach Trent Walters. Andrade, who led the Wildcats to the state tournament in Division II, got his SAT results back recently.

The University of Hawaii is among the schools pursuing the senior, who is also one of the top rodeo cowboys in his age group statewide. He started the season at linebacker, then moved to the interior. Andrade runs a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash.

"Here’s something that works out for Mike," Walters said. "He’s a good kid with great talent who needs lady luck now."

Four-year state starters

Last week’s tidbit about veteran hoops watcher Frank Mauz elicited feedback from longtime coach Glenn Young.

Mauz noted that Konawaena’s Lia Galdeira and Dawnyelle Awa were part of an exclusive group of basketball players who have started in four years worth of state-tourney games. Young, the guru of hoops at ‘Iolani, chimed in that Kylie Maeda and Saphyre Rezentes have started in four years of state-tourney games, as well. Mauz added that another Konawaena player, Makayla Awa, is another four-year state-tourney starter.

Kamana joins Black Knights

Former Punahou safety Tim Kamana has committed to Army. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound senior visited Wyoming and considered walking on at Michigan State before deciding to attend West Point. His father, Carter, played at Michigan State in the early 1980s.

Tigers, Rams are Northwest bound

McKinley football coach Joseph Cho is taking his squad to Corvallis, Ore., for a nonconference game against La Salle Prep on Aug. 31.

Cho spent three decades in Oregon as a coach before returning to Hawaii two years ago.

Radford is also going to Corvallis to play Crescent Valley, setting up a unique doubleheader with McKinley and La Salle Prep. Radford athletic director Kelly Sur played at Boise State with Toots Ka‘ahanui, who is now the defensive line coach at La Salle Prep. Ka‘ahanui played at Farrington.