Kam resigns as Punahou basketball coach


With a little more than half of the regular season to go, Liz Kam said she has resigned as co-coach of Punahou's Division I girls basketball team.

Kam cited "personal reasons" for her departure. She officially resigned Saturday.

Co-coach Reydan "Tita" Ahuna said she will assume the full responsibility of the team the rest of the season.

"It's sad for us, but an opportunity for her," Ahuna said of Kam's resignation. "Liz submitted her resignation on Saturday. We accepted it and we wish her the best."

Ahuna also is one of three athletic directors at Punahou. Ahuna, an all-America volleyball player for the University of Hawaii-Manoa, coached two state boys' volleyball championships at Kamehameha (1991 and 1993). She also coached Hawaii Pacific University to two national titles in women's volleyball. But this will be her first sole stint as basketball coach.

"I have great assistants helping me," Ahuna said of her Punahou staff that includes former Punahou and UH Wahine standout Shawna Kuehu and former Iolani player Kyle Pape, a JV assistant.

Kam joined Punahou last season after coaching at Mid-Pacific Institute. She led the Buffanblu to a second-place finish in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and fifth place in the Division I state tournament. The team finished with a 15-4 record.

Although Kam was listed as the sole head coach last year, Ahuna had been helping out. Kam said she asked Ahuna to officially join the coaching staff before this season started.

"I am very appreciative for the opportunity I had to coach at Punahou for the past two years and there are no ill feelings," Kam added. "I wish nothing but the best to the girls basketball program and staff."

The Buffanblu are in third place in the ILH with a 2-3 record. They will play first-place Maryknoll Wednesday night.



Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].