Kapaa beats Kauai 52-44, clinches KIF title and state berth

Kapaa High clinched the Kauaʻi Interscholastic Federation Central Pacific Bank boys basketball championship with a 52-44 victory over Kauai High at Bernice Hundley Gym before a capacity audience on Monday. The win secured Kapaa’s Round 2 title and the KIF berth to the 2026 Hawaii Army National Guard HHSAA Division II Boys Basketball State Championships, Feb. 11–13 on Oahu, presented by Hele and HPH.

Naki Tuulangavalu led Kapaa with a game-high 19 points and Siotami Malafu added 16, providing the offensive push needed in a contest marked by injuries on both sides. With both teams strapped with injured players, step-up play by Naki Tuulangavalu and Siotami Malafu fueled the Warriors’ win as the Red Raiders struggled. Kauai High played without two of their key starters, who were benched with injuries.

Photographs from the game captured the intensity in the third quarter. “Kapaa’s Shayden Mandel looks to pass across the efforts of Kauai’s Asa Bailey and Karter Reichle in the third quarter on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, during the Kauai Interscholastic Federation Central Pacific Bank boys basketball playoff played at the Bernice Hundley Gym,” reads one caption by Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island. Another photo shows “Kapaa’s Emry Piturachsatit looks at the hoop over the defense of Kauai’s Nui Kaauwai and Karter Reichle in the third quarter on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, during the Kauai Interscholastic Federation Central Pacific Bank playoff boys basketball game at the Bernice Hundley gym.” Photos: Dennis Fujimoto/The Garden Island.

The result extends Kapaa’s earlier momentum; the Warriors had claimed the first round title earlier in the season and used Monday’s victory to close out Round 2 and the overall KIF championship. Kapaa will represent Kauaʻi at the state Division II bracket in mid-February.

Local ramifications extend beyond wins and losses. A capacity crowd at Bernice Hundley Gym reflected strong community investment in high school sports as a place for youth development, social connection, and local pride. The injuries that affected the outcome also highlight public health and safety considerations for Kauaʻi athletics: consistent access to athletic training, timely injury evaluation, concussion management, and support for injured students are ongoing needs for equity in school sports. Smaller islands face unique logistical barriers when teams advance to Oahu - travel, housing, lost school time, and medical continuity all require coordination and funding to ensure student-athletes are supported.

Social media underscored the stakes before tip-off. An Instagram post read, “Our boys basketball team needs a win to stay undefeated in the second round and force a KIF Championship game with Kapaa. JV tips off at 5:” The post was undated and unattributed in the material provided.

Kapaa now turns its focus to the HHSAA Division II tournament Feb. 11–13. For Kauaʻi residents, the immediate takeaway is both celebratory and practical: rally behind Kapaa’s Warriors while community leaders, school officials, and families work to ensure student-athletes have safe playing conditions and the resources needed to compete on Oahu.