Those big shoes that have been empty at Hilo High for two-plus months will be filled by Laveitiga Suiaunoa.
The Vikings tabbed their former defensive assistant to take over the BIIF’s Division I football powerhouse, which won two state titles in the past three seasons under Kaeo Drummondo.
Drummondo stepped down in February to pursue an assistant coaching opportunity at Kamehameha-Kapalama after leading Hilo to the BIIF championship in all five of his seasons as coach. He said Wednesday the program is in good hands with Suiaunoa’s promotion.
“Lave was an integral part of our staff and he always did a great job helping to develop our student-athletes, even beyond the football field,” Drummondo said. “I know that a few coaches from our previous staff had applied and interviewed for the job, and I feel like all were capable candidates for the position.”
Suiaunoa formerly coached Hilo’s defensive line, contributing to the Vikings’ state championship triumphs in 2017 and 2019. Drummondo served as his own defensive coordinator. His former offensive coordinator, Chris Todd, told the Tribune-Herald that 2019 was his last season.
On the field, the Vikings will have to replace 14 players who received all-BIIF recognition, including offensive player of the year Kyan Miyasato and defensive player of the year Kalen White.
In announcing the hiring, Hilo High principal Jasmine Urasaki also said that Kaleinani Kabalis was hired as the school’s new girls volleyball coach.
Kabalis, the daughter of UH-Hilo and NAIA volleyball hall of famer Carla Carpenter-Kabalis, takes the helm from Drew Fernandez, who guided the Vikings to two BIIF titles and three state appearances in six seasons as coach.
Editor’s note: The Tribune-Herald will have more on both coaching hirings in upcoming editions.