3 from Kahuku up for USA Today award

Kahuku cornerback Kekaula Kaniho ran with the ball after one of his six interceptions this season. Photo by Bruce Asato/Star-Advertiser.

After helping Kahuku finish 11-2 this season with an appearance in their second straight state final, defensive backs Kekaula Kaniho and Stokes Nihipali-Botelho along with quarterback Sol-Jay Maiava are in the running for USA Today’s season-ending Top Star award.

Each week during the season, readers voted on a weekly Top Star performer. Now, all 15 are up for the season award.

You can vote for any of the three Red Raiders here.

Nihipali-Botelho won the first weekly award for the weekend of Sept. 2-3 when he had two interceptions and kicked six extra points in a 44-0 shutout of Campbell.

Kaniho won the award for the weekend of Oct. 20-22 when he returned an interception for a touchdown for the third time in four games in a 38-0 shutout of Waianae in the OIA playoffs.

Maiava won the award the following week when he threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more scores in a 44-8 win over Farrington in the OIA title game.

Voting will run until next Thursday at 7 a.m. Hawaii time.

http://www.hawaiiprepworld.com/football/3-from-kahuku-up-for-usa-today-award/