Way-Too-Early Hawaii High School Football Top 25 Rankings

Hawaii has become a reliable pipeline of college football stars and that talent will be on display in less than six weeks when programs across the Aloha State kick off the high school season on Sept. 9.

The On3 Massey Ratings, officially used during the BCS era, is a model that ranks sports teams by analyzing game outcomes, strength of schedule and margin of victory. According to the model the state of Hawaii features five of the top 300 programs in America.

Below are the top 25 teams in the Hawaii high school rankings heading into the 2025 season, according to Massey.

1. Kahuku Red Raiders

Kahuku came up short in last season’s state championship game, losing 17-10 to Saint Louis. The Red Raiders can write a different story in 2025, especially with quarterback Matai Fuiava returning for one more season.

The team’s defense is set to be the state’s best despite the departures of All-Hawaii Open Division players Maximum Fonoimoana, LeBron Williams, Falealii Atuaia, Aiden Manutai and Mana Carvalho. Four-star USC commit Talanoa Ili will spearhead Kahuku’s defense this fall and he’ll be joined by a pair of UCLA commits in cornerback Madden Soliai and linebacker Malaki Soliai-Tui.

These players are a big reason why Kahuku will enter the season as the top team in the Hawaii high school rankings and the only program in the state to crack the national top 100 rankings. We will see how they stack up nationally as the Red Raiders will take on mainland powers Bishop Gorman (Nev.) on Aug. 30 and Mater Dei (Calif.) on Sept. 5.

2. Mililani Trojans

Mililani‘s 2024 season ended with a loss to Kahuku in Open Division semifinals. The Trojans couldn’t figure out the Red Raiders’ vaunted defense, managing just six points in the loss. As another season starts, Mililani will have to crack Kahuku’s code if the program is to win its first state championship since 2016.

Quarterback Kekoa Koong is expected to lead the charge on offense for the Trojans. The senior signal caller will lean on Luke Van Antwerp and Fyiah Steibel in the passing game while running back Noah Talon should carry the ground game. Mililani’s defense should be second only to Kahuku this fall thanks in large part to standouts like Toa Satele, Ejay Tapeni and Trison Satele.

3. St. Louis Crusaders

St. Louis’ mission for 2025 is simple: defend the state championship they won last season. However, repeating as state champions will tough without leaders like offensive lineman Houston Kaahaaina-Torres, running back Charles-Titan Lacaden and wide receiver Stytyn Lasconia.

Luckily for St. Louis, Cal quarterback commit Nainoa Lopes returns to lead the offense, and he will rely on Hashley-Kingston Siliado, Braylon Lee, Exodus Brown and Jordan Nunuha in the passing game. Meanwhile, Kamuela Sablan and Tenari Fuamatu-Maafala will head up the Crusaders’ ground attack, while Kamo’I Huihui-White will anchor the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker TJ Alualu, edge rusher Adruen Meredith, defensive end Konakiilealai Acedillo and defensive back Lamese Gora.

4. James Campbell Sabers

James Campbell will feature a revamped offense this fall following the departures of quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, offensive lineman Jordan Kernaghan and wide receivers Rusten Abang-Perez and Zayden Alviar-Costa. But despite these all-state players moving on, the Sabers are still expected to field Hawaii’s top-ranked offense thanks to leaders like offensive tackle Isaiah Bertola, wide receiver Landyn Tamayo and quarterback Brayden Medeiros stepping in to fill those big shoes.

5. Punahou Buff ‘n Blue

Punahou finished the 2024 season with back-to-back losses to St. Louis, resulting in a 3-6 record. Despite the losing record, the Buff ‘n Blue had some notable individual performers like all-state wide receiver Zion White, who had 46 receptions for 679 yards and seven touchdowns during his sophomore season.

Class of 2028 quarterback Hunter Fujikawa returns after leading the team’s offense as a freshman. He’ll have a new running mate in the offensive backfield, however, after the departure of running back Nelson Aau.

Punahou’s defense has big holes to fill with the graduation of Ko’o Kia and Donte Utu but defensive lineman Tyler Lim, linebacker Enosa Lyman and defensive back Kaison Aquino will help steady that group at all three levels.

6. Kapolei Hurricanes

Kapolei raced off to a 5-1 start last season but dropped their final four games to finish 5-5. The Hurricanes will be looking to bounce back from that disappointment when they open the season against Punahou on Aug. 9.

How Kapolei’s 2025 season is remembered will largely depend on how the team performs over a five-week stretch in September and October. The Hurricanes open September with back-to-back road games versus Mililani and Kahuku, travel to Washington, D.C. to take on St. John’s on Sept. 20 and then return to Hawaii for home games against Farrington and rival Campbell.

7. Kamehameha Warriors

Kamehameha won just five games in 2024, but the Warriors return enough talent on the roster to improve on that mark this fall. Michigan offensive lineman commit Malakai Lee, Cal tight end commit Taimane Purcell and running back Nainoa Melchor are a year older and stronger, and will lead a Kamehameha offense that should rank among the best Hawaii high school football has to offer in 2025.

8. Farrington Governors

It was a roller coaster ride for the Governors last season. After starting their campaign with three-consecutive wins, they lost five-straight games before defeating Waipahu in their season finale.

Farrington can do better in 2025, but losing the likes of offensive lineman Abel Hoopii, running back Kingston Samuelu, wide receiver Chansen Smith, linebacker Zaden Mariteragi, defensive back Everest Cole Rodriguez, and Ziggy Vea will make progress challenging.

Still, quarterback Donny Faavi is back and will find comfort in having standout offensive linemen Koloi Keli and Mesiah Tafea keeping him clean in the pocket. That trio can be a good foundation for Farrington’s 2025 campaign.

9. Leilehua Mules

Leilehua‘s 2024 campaign was a mixed bag. The Mules finished 8-1 within OIA Division 1 and won their fifth league crown, but they also lost to Konawaena in the state semifinals.

The program returns enough talent to build on its success from a year ago, especially with Cameron Keeve, wide receiver Talon Tarpley and linebacker Braden Liua back in the fold.

10. Kapaa Warriors

The Warriors clinched their first-ever Division 1 state championship with a 10-7 victory over Konawaena. That win capped off a 9-2 season, including a perfect 6-0 mark in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation league.

If Kapaa is to repeat as champs, and finish as one of the top teams in the Hawaii high school rankings, they will need big performances from linebacker Sami Kauvaka, athlete Brayden Bermoy, offensive lineman Kanoa Lopez, two-way lineman Amaziah Siale and linebacker Taedyn Akasaki.

11. Waipahu
12. Waianae
13. Konawaena
14. Moanalua
15. Kailua

16. Aiea
17. Damien Memorial School
18. Kamehameha Schools Maui
19. Lahainaluna
20. Iolani School

21. Radford
22. Waimea
23. King Kekaulike
24. President Theodore Roosevelt
25. Nanakuli & Intermediate School