LIHU‘E — When the Lihu‘e Patriots 12 and Under Pop Warner football team arrived to receive commendations from the Kaua‘i County Council on Dec. 20, one member was missing — head coach Kalani Apilado.
The council recognized this, and instead of providing commendations to the team, the body also provided a special commendation to the team’s head coach.
“Kalani is in the process of moving his family to Seattle, Washington,” said Mikey Nii, a member of the 12U coaching staff.
Following commending Kalani “for his leadership and perseverance to lead the Lihu‘e Patriots 12U football team to a winning season as the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League 12U Division Champions, and the 2023 Orange Empire County Bowl Champions,” he is moving his family to Washington after 14 years of coaching community football. That included the Kaua‘i Police Activities League, Kaua‘i Youth Football League and Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League.
During his time as the coach, he has led these football teams to seven championship titles, and coached future professional football players and inspired young men of Kaua‘i from many different walks of life.
“Community has always been at the forefront for Kalani, as evidenced through his successful employment with the County of Kaua‘i Police Department for the past eight years, and through his 14 years of service in the Hawai‘i Army National Guard,” Kalani’s commendation states.
The Lihu‘e Patriots 12U football team was commended for its efforts at clinching not only the KPWFL 12U Division Championship, but continuing on to earn the title as Orange Empire County Bowl Champions.
The Lihu‘e Patriots earned the championship on Dec. 10 by defeating the Lakewood Lancers in a 28-12 victory following a tough skirmish.
“Through this experience, these young men learned the lesson of what it truly means to be a team, and that hard work and perseverance pays off,” the team commendation states. “Their exceptional coaching team and team mom worked tirelessly to keep the team organized and moving forward seamlessly while ensuring that all Pop Warner football procedures and protocols were being met.”
The coaching staff besides Kalani Apilado includes Bryson Vivas, Stanton Yoshimori, Mikey Nii, Chasen Smith, Kyle Bisarra, Tyrus Contrades, Tryston Refamonte and Ronson Sahut. Erica Contrades is the Team Mom.
Team players include Kalama Abreu, Liko Cabebe, Keith Haraguchi, Shane Mahoney, Kamealoha Sahut, Kelston Apilado, Kaimi Colobong, Kanawaia Kamanuwai, Ashton Marcos, Kaliko Taylor, Kaisen Barretto, Brennen Contrades, Eli Krause, Michael Koa Nii, Taj Yoshimori, Nathan Bennor, Zackary Corpuz, Justin Lopez, Tyler Pa, Bryden Vivas, Xaden Bisarra, Levi Costa, Lukela Louis and Braeden Reyes.
