Mauka edges Makai to win 2020 Polynesian Bowl

Team Mauka's Sol-Jay Maiava was named 2020 Polynesian Bowl Offensive Most Valuable Player. The former Kahuku Red Raider rushed for a touchdown and threw for another in the win. CJ Caraang | SL

Sol-Jay Maiava rushed for the winning score and threw for another to help Mauka squeeze past Makai, 20-13, in the fourth edition of the Polynesian Bowl held at Aloha Stadium.

Maiva, a former quarterback at Kahuku who completed his high school career at St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C. and is headed to Brigham Young, was named Offensive Most Valuable Player.

Another player with Hawaii ties, Iolani's Meki Pei, was named Defensive MVP.

Pei, who has yet to make his college commitment, recorded two interceptions in the contest, his second coming with just 5:21 left in the fourth to set up Mauka deep in Makai territory at the 21.

Ultimately, the turnover set up Mauka for what would be the game-winning score, a one yard run off the right end by Maiava.

The game was a back-and-forth affair from start to finish. Mauka took the early lead when Maiava found Texas A&M signee Demond Demas on an 11 yard pass play with 4:16 left in the first quarter.

Hilo's Kilohana Hassenritter, a University of Hawaii commit, tied the score up on a seven yard pass from UCLA bound Parker McQuarrie at the 8:32 mark in the second, which held until Mauka's Owen Daffer hit a 34 yard field goal at the 1:15 mark to break the tie.

Makai took the halftime lead on Texas Longhorn commit Bijan Robinson's 1 yard plunge, but the PAT was missed, making the halftime score 13-10.

The game was tied up once again at the 10:53 mark of the fourth, on a 23 yard field goal by Daffer.