It’s A ‘New Beginning’ For Pearl City Football Coaching

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One in a series of spring prep football reports.

In the fall of 1990, Kai Kamaka and Lefa Lauti formed a passing combination second to none in prep football on the Island, leading the West in offensive output.

Eighteen years later, the pair have reunited at Pearl City, where Kamaka is entering his first year as head coach. Lauti, who spent the last eight seasons as the quarterback coach at Mililani, was one of Kamaka’s first phone calls after being hired himself.

“When I got the job, I called him up, and there was no hesitation,” Kamaka said.“His instincts and overall leadership are his strength.”

The pair coached together at Waipahu under Sam Delos Reyes in the ‘90s before Kamaka decided to shift over to the Pearl City Highlands Pop Warner program so that he could coach his own sons. As at Waipahu, where he never knew a losing season coaching the junior varsity, Kamaka also found success with the Pee Wee team, leading them to a 27-1 record over the past two seasons, including the 2009 state title.

Whether at the Pop Warner or the prep level, Kamaka sees no shortage of athleticism in the community. The Chargers are in the midst of spring drills, which will culminate with their public unveiling June 6 in their Purple-White game.

“My first step as coach was to try to get the community behind us. You’re only as strong as the people behind you,” he said. “We also want to give these kids lifelines and help get them to college. Our motto is ‘a new beginning.’”

He will build around several Division I prospects, including senior linemen David Lefotu and Norman Coen. “David and Norman should be two of the best linemen in the state. David has a great work ethic on and off of the field.

“Norman is an on-the-field leader,” he added of Coen, who is drawing attention from Notre Dame and USC, among others. “He’s a fun guy who takes away some of the tension that goes with working hard.”

Coen’s younger brother Cyrus is slated to be one of the Chargers’ defensive leaders and has also drawn the interest of both Kapolei and Notre Dame.

“He’s one of those kids with a knack for football, and he’s the total package as a student-athlete,” Kamaka said of Cyrus Coen, a junior-to-be in the fall.

Kamaka also is high on senior linebacker Hayden Concepcion, whom he labels “a kid with raw power, a big hitter.”

Junior halfback Ray Cooper also returns to the offense, having won a state wrestling title in the football off-season.

The coaching staff also includes James Arrayan, Don Manzano, Niko Vitale, Ronald Jhun, Al Hunter, Vinny Ganon and Kai Kamaka Sr.

Pearl City finished 0-6 in the OIA Red West Conference last season under Mel Bicoy and will compete in Division II in the fall.