‘It’s unfair’: Kahuku football players question dismissal of head coach

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - For the first time, Kahuku football players are speaking out on behalf of recently dismissed head coach Sterling Carvalho. Many are still confused as to what went into the decision and are demanding answers.

“It’s not right. It’s unfair for Coach Sterls. I’m still just shocked,” said Maximum Fonoimoana, Kahuku linebacker and tight end.

Linebacker Falealii Atuaia added, “At first I thought it was a joke like everyone else did.”

It’s been one week since Kahuku High School sent a letter to families, stating “Coach Sterling Carvalho will no longer be serving as the head coach of the KHIS football program.”

For players, the immediate reaction was shock. Now it’s concern.

“He doesn’t run a hostile program. That’s completely false. He doesn’t even cuss. So for people to say that is unreal. Coach Sterling is amazing,” said quarterback Matai Fuiava. “That’s impossible he run a hostile program. I came from hostile programs and this is nowhere near that.”

Fuiava transferred in late last season from nationally ranked St. John Bosco to play under Carvalho and his stacked resume of four OIA championships and three consecutive state titles.

“We play in national ranked games. It’s gonna be a big struggle for me personally,” said Fuiava.

The news brought players and members of the community together to show support for the coach and figure out a plan going forward.

“His name has been smeared all over. Would he be able to coach again? That’s another thing that we have to worry about. We want our coach back and we want our coach back now,” said North Shore community member Aunty Kekela Miller.

Miller, a longtime Red Raiders supporter, started a petition to reinstate the coach. She worries this could have a lasting impact.

“I want to make sure that whoever the coach is in the future that this doesn’t happen again. This keeps happening. You come to Kahuku, we’re always having a new coach,” said Miller.

Hawaii News Now has reached out to Kahuku High School. We are waiting to hear back.

Meanwhile, the Hawaii State Department of Education said, “The Department can’t comment on active or pending litigation.”

As for Carvalho, defensive lineman Ben Roberts said, “Actually we went as a team last night, we went to his house, wanted to be there for him because we know he’s looking down so we wanted to cheer him up.”