There’s a trail out west that Kana‘i Mauga finds irresistible.
Ocean. Mountain. Rare creations abound. He knows his reach and what he can explore, but certain things are best left to dwell in peace at Kaena Point.
“It’s just a straight walk and at the ending there’s a gallery where there’s a lot of native birds. A lot of nice birds. They’re very hidden, so it’s unique to see them out in the open,” the Waianae senior said. “There’s also monk seals lying on the sand. We don’t bother them.”
The path to the top is not for everyone. At Makua Cave, the degree of difficulty varies. Mauga, a hybrid linebacker with a 3.2 grade-point average and a commitment to USC, prefers the toughest challenge.
“It’s really steep. I always go all the way to the top,” Mauga said. “I like trying to climb mountains whenever I have time. During the summer, I’ll go to different spots on the west side with my friends, or if nobody’s available I just go by myself.”
After an 0-3 start, Waianae came through. The Seariders went on a six-game win streak, lost in the OIA semifinals to Mililani and, over the weekend, earned a 29-21 overtime win over Campbell to seal a spot in the Open Division state tournament.
The ups, the downs, all part of a wondrous Waianae football season, and one common denominator has been Mauga.
“Coach Matt (Murakawa) says, ‘Play for the joy of football.’ He’s our linebackers coach. It means to shake off the play before and always play the next play,” Mauga said.
“He’s been a role model of a senior leader,” Waianae head coach Walter Young said. “He shows up to the workout sessions and gives his all, and motivates and encourages his teammates to do the same. He has a football IQ that is beyond his years, and he has the ability to do more than just his job. He’s an incredible playmaker.”
Waianae (7-4) faces league champion Kahuku in the semifinal round of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Championships on Friday at Aloha Stadium.
“We have to do our right assignments, get aligned right and execute,” Mauga said. “Anything can happen. It was rough in the beginning of the season. For everyone to show up these past two games, bouncing back from that loss to Mililani, it’s a big accomplishment for the whole team. This win over Campbell is going to boost their confidence as a team and individuals.”
Mauga, at 6-foot-2 and 215 pounds, handles battles with linemen and slotbacks with success.
“His uncle, Pat Mauga, is one of our O-line coaches,” Mililani coach Rod York said. “We went to the Super Linemen (5v5) Camp (in California) and he tore up the guys from Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly and St. Bosco. They couldn’t block him and our team won.”
That’s where the life of Kana‘i Mauga takes a path to the mountain top.
“Two years ago, Chad (Kauha‘aha‘a of Oregon State) asked me if there’s an undiscovered guy in Hawaii, and I said it was Kana‘i,” York said.
Oregon State became the first university to offer a scholarship to Mauga. He is now up to 13 offers, though he committed to USC in June.
“Johnny Nansen texted me and asked who is the best football player in Hawaii,” York said of the USC linebackers coach. “And I couldn’t say any of my own (Mililani) guys. I gave him two names, (Saint Louis junior defensive tackle Faatui) Tuitele and Kana‘i. Kana‘i works non-stop, definitely a hell of a player on the field, but even a better person off the field.”
Moanalua coach Savaii Eselu believes Mauga will be a factor in the Pac-12 Conference.
“He reminds me of Manti (Te‘o). He and Kana‘i don’t waste steps,” Eselu said. “He’s taller than I thought. I thought we could get some passes over him and we got bit real bad, a pick-6.”
Clancy Pendergast, USC’s defensive coordinator, was the DC at Cal while Eselu played there a few years back.
“Clancy will have him rush more off the edge than drop. He has a better knack of attacking and putting pressure on quarterbacks. He’s that kind of linebacker where you can stand him up on the edge, pressuring and then suddenly dropping into the flats,” Eselu said.
The tradition of elite defensive talent from Waianae is illustrious, going back to George “Oki” Kauwalu to Nate Jackson to Chris Paogofie and beyond.
“He exemplifies what Waianae defense has always been,” Campbell coach Darren Johnson said. “He’s so talented like Roland and Joey Maneafaiga. Taulia Lave. He’s in those guys’ class. You can rank him as high as Lafi Siliga.”
Coming from Waianae means almost everything.
“I don’t think I would change anything. I actually learned a lot, people saying that over here is a ghetto and poor. I just wanted to see for myself, to experience what other people think about it. Honestly, it’s not. People are not poor. They’re rich in personality and they have a good mind-set of living here, and they love it here,” Mauga said. “They appreciate everything that’s been given to them.”
Mauga’s academic and athletic talents have opened doors. His father, Ivan Mauga, played at the University of Hawaii.
“He always says, ‘Play hard. Do what you do best. Ball out,’ ” Mauga said. “And I love you.”
KANA‘I MAUGA
Waianae football
Senior
Q&A • FAVORITES
>> Music artist: Fiji, J-Boog
“Fiji, I listen to a little bit of both, his older music and his newer music. He is an island guy with nice and sweet sounds. J-Boog, my favorite song is ‘Mama Roots’ (with The Green). It’s pretty catchy.”
>> Teacher: Mrs. (Dana) Hoppe, Waianae High School
“She teaches marine science. She’s actually always been there for me. She’s pushed me to be a better student. She’s always encouraging me, always making sure I’m on track, I’m OK, everything’s all right.”
>> GPA: 3.2
“I’m always trying to strive for a 4.0. Sports, even if I didn’t have it, I’d have people encouraging me to strive to be my best.”
>> What do you like to do that would surprise most people?
“I like to go to the beach and bodyboard. The feeling you get from bodyboarding when you’re in the barrel, it’s indescribable.”
>> What is the history of your name?
“Kana‘i means conqueror. My mom chose my first name. I was like eighth grade. I asked her what it means, and she told me to look it up, and I looked it up, and dang. As of right now, it matches me, but I haven’t really conquered a lot yet. I’m still striving.”
