New Coaches Bring Renewed Excitement To Waialua Athletics
A new school year in the classroom also means new seasons for a school’s sports teams.
In Waialua High School’s case, it also mean changes in leadership for several of its athletic teams. Last week, athletic director Bryce Kaneshiro announced the hiring of three new coaches – in cheerleading, girls basketball and girls soccer.
The Bulldogs also will field a girls water polo team for the first time and interviewed candidates for the position last week. “Nothing is finalized yet,” Kaneshiro said of appointing the water polo coach, “but we’re definitely making a commitment to having a team.
“We have a lot of excitement here with our freshman crop of swimmers, and we’re feeding off of them. They’re sophomores now, and they’ve indicated they want a water polo team and that they’re going to help bring more players. It will give our girls another (athletic) option in the spring.”
In the case of basketball, the Bulldogs will go with a leader well-known to Waialua fans, as former longtime boys head coach Virgilio Basilio will step in to succeed Michael Moon, who had to resign for personal reasons.
Waialua had been without girls basketball teams for two seasons before Moon restarted the program last year. Basilio coached for several years in Waialua’s football program in addition to basketball.
“He’s taking over what Michael started for us,” Kaneshiro said of Basilio, who is a counselor at the school. “He’s connected with the community, and he knows the kids here. He’ll get the momentum going, and it’s easier when you have someone who already is on staff.
“He brings a lot of experience – he knows the game – and he has the calm demeanor of a counselor,” he added.
Tim Kawahakui has been appointed girls soccer coach after stints as an assistant at both Kahuku and Waialua. He also was a JV coach at Kahuku.
“He has a lot of experience, and he’s connected with the community,” Kaneshiro said. “It’s his time to be a head coach at the varsity level. He’s very motivated to be a head coach.”
Kaneshiro also revealed that Teraisa Rogers has been selected as head cheerleading coach. “I like her passion and the energy she brings,” he said. “She wants the best for our girls, and she always has new ideas to help them out.”
