Kahuku confirms Tata no longer head football coach


Former Kahuku coach Vavae Tata talks to official Rhys Amimoto during a OIA Division I quarterfinal game against Leilehua last Fall. Crizalmer Caraang Jr. | SL

Kahuku has confirmed reports that Vavae Tata is no longer its head varsity football coach, according to the school's website.

The posting indicates that Makoa Freitas, who was an offensive line coach on Tata's staff, will take over as the interim head varsity football coach.

During his two-year coaching tenure, Tata compiled a 24-2 record, which included back-to-back state championship game appearances and a Division I state title in 2015.

The annoucement reads:

"We are always striving for the best experiences for our student athletes at Kahuku High and Intermediate School.

We are happy to announce our interim Head Varsity Football Coach, Makoa Freitas, who shares this goal and has been a part of the Kahuku football program for several years.

Coach Freitas is a graduate of Kamehameha School and played at the University of Arizona under coach Dick Tomey. He was also a 2003 draft choice of the Indianapolis Colts and played four seasons with the Colts under coach Tony Dungy, and offensive line coach, Howard Mudd. 

Upon leaving the NFL, Coach Freitas earned a Master of Business Administration and Master of Science in Accounting from Indiana University. He is a certified Public Accountant, currently working as the Assistant Controller at BYU Hawaii. He resides in Laie with his wife, Leilani, and their four children, Emalia, Rockne, Kona, and Hi'ilei."