Crash kills ex-Kahuku star

Posted on: Monday, November 16, 2009

LA'IE — Waika Carvalho, Kahuku High School's former standout quarterback and the nephew of Kaua'i Mayor Bernard Carvalho, was killed Saturday night in a single-truck crash that injured four other young men.

Carvalho, 23, of Hau'ula, played on the 2003 Red Raiders squad that stormed to an undefeated 14-0 record and the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship and state title. The Red Raiders beat Saint Louis at Aloha Stadium that year to win the state prep crown.

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North Shore woman chosen Miss Hawaii USA

Renee Mokihana Nobriga, from Oahu's North Shore was crowned the 2010 Miss Hawaii USA last night at LEVEL4 in the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

Nobriga, 25, is a model and works in sales. She is the daughter of Kealoha and Iwalani Nobriga, lives in Pupukea and graduated from Kahuku High School in 2002. Nobriga has an associate's degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in liberal arts.

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Kai found success her way

She has compared tattoos with David Beckham, exchanged the shaka with Kobe Bryant and has her own fan club.

And she's done it her own way the entire time.

Kahuku's Natasha Kai made a name for herself on the national soccer scene in a way that goes beyond the nearly 30 tattoos and multiple piercings and speaks more to her physical talents.

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Kai helps spark U.S. to Algarve Cup win

LAGOS, Portugal — Tina DiMartino scored her first international goal yesterday to help the defending champion United States beat Denmark, 2-0, in the Algarve Cup.

DiMartino, a 22-year-old forward making only her second international appearance, knocked in the ball from short range in the 35th minute after Natasha Kai's header rebounded off the post.

Kai is a Kahuku High and University of Hawai'i alum.

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Kahuku alums meet again

TAMPA, Fla. — If Pittsburgh Steelers offensive lineman Chris Kemoeatu is blocking downfield and sees Arizona Cardinals safety Aaron Francisco in his path Sunday in Super Bowl XLIII, both know what will happen.

It's not the type of reunion the two former high school teammates at Kahuku relish. But they will set aside friendship for a championship.

"I'm heavier, so I'll get the best of him," says Kemoeatu, who is 6-3, 344 pounds compared to Francisco at 6-2, 216.

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Warrior now, Red Raider for life

Even at 5 feet 9 and 170 pounds, Richard Torres amazes his Hawai'i football teammates with his courage, grit and skill.

But cut him, and his blood is red — the color of his high school alma mater.

"I'm proud to be from Kahuku," said Torres, whose father is the Red Raiders' head football coach.

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Kahuku grad makes most of change

LAS CRUCES, N.M. — New Mexico State defensive lineman La'auli Fonoti was told he was going get a position change earlier this season.

The senior from Kahuku was formerly a linebacker for NMSU in his first three years on the field.

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Kai's three goals lift U.S. to 6-0 win

Natasha Kai had already scored two goals, and when another ball went off her foot into the back of the net, the reality of her accomplishment hit home.

It was the first career hat trick for Kai, who led the U.S. women's soccer team to a 6-0 win against Canada in a friendly at RFK Stadium yesterday.

"My mind was just like, 'Oh. My. Goodness.' I'm still kind of shocked," Kai said.

Kai said it was her first hat trick since she played at the University of Hawai'i. All three goals came in a 19-minute span in the second half when the Americans' lead went from 1-0 to 5-0.

Kai, a Kahuku High alum, had the strongest performance, but she wasn't the only one.

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