Brush fire could jeopardize Leilehua-Punahou game


The brush fire in Wahiawa that closed several schools, including Leilehua, on Tuesday has put the Mules' non-league game against Punahou Saturday in jeopardy.

Mules football coach Nolan Tokuda said his team has not practiced since Saturday because of the smoke that has covered the Central Oahu area. The team could not practice Monday because of the smoke and the school was among a number of Wahiawa-area schools that were closed by the Department of Education because of the smoke.  When school is closed, extra-curricular activites cease as well. The fire is about two to three miles above the Leilehua campus. If school is closed again Wednesday, Tokuda said school officials will discuss the status of the game.

Tokuda said the game could move to Punahou, which would then have to be played in the afternoon because there are no lights.  But the issue is getting adequate practice time, Tokuda said. 

"It's hard to see and hard to breathe," Tokuda said.

If the game is canceled, it would be the second consecutive year for both schools.  Last year, the threat of Hurricane Iselle canceled all of the state's non-league games that weekend.

Here's this week's games.

Friday

Campbell at Kahuku. First meeting since 2013 OIA third place game; Kahuku leads series 16-4-1

Castle at Kailua. Last meeting 2013; Kailua leads series 34-28. At stake: The Hammer trophy

Damien at Aiea. First meeting since 2010; Aiea leads series 4-0, inclduing 2005 D2 state title

Kaiser at Kapolei. First meeting since 2003, when both were in the OIA White; Kapolei leads series 2-0

Kaimuki vs. Waimea at Hanapepe. First meeting since 1986; Kaimuki leads sereis 4-2

Kamehameha at Waianae. First meeting since 2009; Kamehameha leads series 9-6

McKinley at Roosevelt. First meeting on field since 2009; McKinley won by forfeit in 2013. McKinley leads series 42-37 overall and 21-18 as OIA members.

Saturday

Kamehameha-Hawaii vs. Kalaheo at Kailua.  Kamehameha-HI has won the only meeting between the two, 26-23, in 2013 on the Big Island.  Last year's meeting at Kailua was canceled by the hurricane.

Kapaa vs. Nanakuli at Kapolei. Third meeting; Series is even 1-1.

Keaau at Lahainaluna. First meeting since 2012; Lahainaluna leads series 4-0

Maui at Kealakehe. Second meeting; Maui leads series 1-0

Punahou at Leilehua. First meeting since 2008; Punahou leads series 4-1

Waialua at Honokaa. First meeting since 2007; Waialua leads series 3-0

Waiakea at Moanalua. First meeting since 2004. Waiakea leads series 3-1

Father Bray Classic

At Aloha Stadium

Kalani vs. Pac-Five. First meeting; last year's canceled by Hurricane 

Kamehameha-Maui vs. Iolani. First meeting since 2008; Iolani leads series 1-0



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].