Jim Leahey

HONOLULU — Legendary sportscaster Jim Leahey, who was the voice of University of Hawaii sports for decades, died early Monday morning, his family said. He was 80.

Leahey, who retired in 2018, had battled health issues in recent months.

His instantly recognizable voice was the soundtrack to many of the biggest moments in UH sports history on both radio and television, spanning thousands of games. He called much of the Rainbow Warrior football team’s unbeaten 2007 regular season and its cherished victories over BYU in 1989 and 1990. He had some memorable calls of buzzer-beaters such as his “How sweet it is!” for Tes Whitlock’s basketball winner over the Cougars in 1995.

Leahey was inducted into the UH Sports Circle of Honor in 2016. He won Hawaii Sportscaster of the Year 19 times.

A former schoolteacher, he would often summon and emphasize uncommon, multisyllable words in the flow of a game.

Leahey, the son of legendary local sportscaster, Chuck Leahey, transferred his passion to a third generation. His son, Kanoa, is now the primary play-by-play voice of UH sports for Spectrum Sports.

The Leahey family put out a statement: "Today we lost the patriarch of our family. A man known by his supreme talents for storytelling, an unrelenting passion for Hawaii and the teams and athletes that represent it, and a lifelong love for the craft of sports broadcasting.

"Jim Leahey was also a loyal and loving husband, father and grandfather, who placed his family and his faith above all.

"He took tremendous pride in supplying the narration for some of the University of Hawaii’s greatest athletic achievements, and cherished seeing the community come together, united, to root for the home team.

"We thank everyone for their well wishes and support at this mournful time.

"As our dad would always say to close his broadcasts, 'malama pono kekahi i kekahi.'"

From a young age, Jim Leahey followed in the footsteps of his father. At his retirement party in August 2018, he recalled filling in for him on the radio for the first time at just 15 years old at a boxing match at Schofield Barracks.

Jim Leahey graduated from Saint Louis School and attended Chaminade University, where he is a member of the Hall of Fame. He graduated from the University of San Francisco and went on to serve in the Vietnam War.

Upon his return, he taught at Campbell High School for 10 years, then entered the broadcasting industry full time for KITV and KGMB.

He took over radio play-by-play duties on KGU from his father in 1973. He became the official voice of UH sports on television in 1984 on KGMB, then KFVE and OCSports (the precursor to Spectrum Sports).

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi was a former broadcast partner of Leahey's for UH football games, and for a period his supervisor in the broadcasting industry. Blangiardi said in a statment: “I feel very privileged to be able to say Jim Leahey and I were more than just friends. We shared 13 unforgettable football seasons doing University of Hawaii games on radio and television. Jim had a very rare and special ability to connect with people, especially in capturing the pride of Hawaii’s people with the success of our teams, not just in football, but in every sport!

“Jim could stir your emotions, and that made every game a worthwhile experience, no matter the score. In a business where champions are revered, Jim Leahey was a champion, and his legacy and many contributions to Hawaii’s sports will never be forgotten!”

In his later career, Leahey gradually transferred play-by-play duties for sports like men’s basketball and women’s volleyball to his son.

For nine years starting in 2006, Jim and Kanoa Leahey appeared on the PBS Hawaii sports talk show, Leahey & Leahey and hosted a wide range of local personalities to “talk story” over a representation of the family kitchen table.

The two Leaheys frequently joked that given their verbose nature, the guest could rarely get a word in.

Leahey is survived by his wife, Toni, three children and one grandchild. Services are pending.

***

Stephen Tsai

Dave Reardon

Jerry Company

3/12/23 - Jim Leahey, watching over UH sports

3/13/23 - Jim Leahey remembered for touching many lives

2022 NFL

1/19/23 - Tampa Bay fires offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich

1/9/23 - Texans fire Lovie Smith after one season (3-13-1)

1/9/23 - Kliff Kingsbury fired by Arizona after going 4-13

12/27/22 - Denver fires Nathaniel Hackett after going 4-11

12/7/22 - Rams claim Mayfield

12/5/22 - Carolina waives Baker Mayfield

11/7/22 - Colts fire Frank Reich and name Jeff Saturday as interim head coach

11/1/22 - Trade deadline deals include Bradley Chubb to Dolphins, Chase Claypool to Bears, TJ Hockenson to Vikings, Roquan Smith to Baltimore, Calvin Ridley to Jaguars, 

10/20/22 - Carolina trades Christian McCaffrey to San Francisco for second-round, third-round, fourth-round, and fifth-round draft picks

10/10/22 - Matt Ruhle fired as Carolina head coach

9/27/22 - Pro Bowl to go flag football

8/18/22 - Deshaun Watson suspension extended to 11 games

8/1/22 - Deebo Samuel signs three-year $73.5 million extension

8/1/22 - Deshaun Watson suspended six games

6/21/22 - Gronkowski retiring again

3/30/22 - Bruce Arians unexpectedly retires as head coach of Tampa Bay and will move to front office

3/29/22 - NFL changes playoff overtime rules

3/23/22 - Tyreek Hill reportedly traded to Dolphins for first round pick and more, gets four-year extension worth $120 million

3/23/22 - Al Michaels joins Amazon for Thursday Night Football / Mike Tirico to team with Chris Collinsworth for Sunday Night Football / ESPN poaches Buck and Aikman from Fox

3/21/22 - Falcons trade Matt Ryan to Indianapolis for third round pick, sign Mariota for two years, $18.75 million

3/18/22 - Houston to trade Deshaun Watson to Cleveland for three first round picks and a third rounder

3/18/22 - Davante Adams traded by Packers to Raiders for first and second round picks, agrees to sign for five years, $141.25 million

3/15/22 - Aaron Rodgers to remain with Packers for $151 million

3/13/22 - Brady unretires

3/12/22 - Dallas trades Amari Cooper to Cleveland for fifth and sixth round picks

3/11/22 - Chicago to trade Khalil Mack to Chargers for second-round pick and 2023 sixth-round pick

3/9/22 - Indianapolis reportedly trades Carson Wentz to Washington for draft picks

3/8/22 - Seattle to trade Russell Wilson and fourth round pick to Denver for two first round picks, two second round picks, fifth round pick, Drew Lock, Noah Fant, and Shelby Harris

2/6/22 - Miami hires Mike McDaniel as head coach

2/2/22 - Washington Football Team is now the Washington Commanders

2/1/22 - Brady officially announces retirement

1/31/22 - Josh McDaniels named head coach of Raiders

1/29/22 - Tom Brady to retire (according to sources)

1/27/22 - Bears name Matt Eberflus (Colts defensive coordinator) as head coach

1/27/22 - Ben Roethlisberger retires after 18 season with the Steelers

1/24/22 - Sean Payton announces retirement

2022 Hawaii All-State Football Team

The 2022 football season was a constant of highlight, instant-classic games with a bit of a twist.

More of the state’s top public-school teams and players emerged in the spotlight. The same is true of the Star-Advertiser Football All-State selections by coaches and media.

Kahuku linebacker Liona Lefau repeated as Defensive Player of the Year, eking out the honor ahead of teammates Leonard Ah You and Brock Fonoimoana. Punahou linebacker GianCarlo Rufo was also a contender for DPOY.

Offensive Player of the Year honors went to Waipahu’s multiple-position standout Tama Uiliata.

Coach of the Year voting was tight, with Brad Uemoto of Konawaena outpointing Kyle Linoz of Waimea and Sterling Carvalho of Kahuku.

Uemoto has scheduled his Division I program against behemoth Kahuku in recent seasons.

“I feel that Lefau, Ah You and Fonoimoana are all deserving of being recognized as the best defensive player in the state,” Uemoto said. “Each player had such an effect on the game individually that it could have gone to any of them.

“Lefau playing in the middle of that defense made it tough for opponents to avoid him. He was involved in every play being so athletic and instinctual. His ability to play sideline to sideline while being physical between the tackles is what separated him,” he added.

Lefau was one of five Kahuku seniors to sign National Letters of Intent in early December. He inked his letter with Texas. Ah You signed with Oregon State and Fonoimoana signed with Utah. Defensive lineman Stanley Raass, another first-team selection, also signed with Utah.

Last year’s offensive POY, Kainoa Carvalho, missed significant playing time as a senior due to a foot injury before returning for the postseason. He also signed with Utah.

Uiliata began the season at wide receiver and racked up eye-popping numbers, then shifted to quarterback after starter JJ Manu suffered a season-ending injury. The shifty playmaker moved back to wideout as freshman Eli Mendoza took the helm in the OIA D-I title game against Aiea.

During Waipahu’s state-tournament opener against Kapaa, the Marauders trailed 35-13 when Uiliata moved again to QB, sparking a wild 49-41 comeback win. He led Waipahu to a semifinal win over ‘Iolani but suffered an ankle injury in the state final and limped his way to a gutty effort in a loss to Konawaena.

Across the board, voters cast their ballots for the 5-foot-9, 170-pound senior. Punahou quarterback John-Keawe Sagapolutele, Campbell quarterback Jaron-Keawe-Sagapolutele and Konawaena quarterback Keoni Alani were also in the running.

Uiliata signed with Hawaii after finishing the season with 1,256 yards and 13 touchdowns through the air, throwing just two interceptions in 143 attempts. He also rushed for 597 yards (6.7 per carry) and 10 TDs. As a pass catcher, Uiliata had 69 receptions for 980 yards and 10 TDs. In all, he accounted for 2,833 yards and 33 TDs from scrimmage while also playing some cornerback and returning kicks.

In five games on defense, Uiliata came up with four interceptions, one returned for a TD.

A few years back, Konawaena was a somewhat reluctant climber in the BIIF’s classification reshuffle. The Wildcats were promoted from from D-II to D-I after losing a wild seven-overtime 75-69 thriller to Lahainaluna in the 2017 state final.

Five years later, Uemoto guided his team to an 11-1 season. The Wildcats opened the season with a 30-7 loss to Granger in Utah, then returned home and embarked on a long win streak with total domination of the BIIF. Konawaena averaged 61.9 points per game in league play, outscoring opponents 557-20.

In the state tourney, Konawaena edged Aiea 27-24, then outscored Waipahu 38-28 in the final for its first football state crown.

Linoz was a close second after lifting Waimea to a 9-2 season and its first D-II state title. The Menehune did it with a disciplined wing-T offense that goes back more than a half-century.

Bryson Carvalho of Waipahu, Nate Kia of Punahou, Kili Watson of Nanakuli and Tyson Valle of King Kekaulike also earned votes from the panel.

The ongoing recession-era phenomenon of private-school athletes transferring to public schools — and elite public-school athletes opting to stay home and play for their hometown teams — is reflected on the ballots of coaches and media. The All-State first-team offense is comprised of 10 public-school players and just three from private schools.

The first-team defense has nine public schoolers and four from private schools. All three state championship teams — Kahuku, Konawaena and Waimea — are from public schools.

ALL-STATE

Offensive Player of the Year: Tama Uiliata, Waipahu

Defensive Player of the Year: Liona Lefau, Kahuku

Coach of Year: Brad Uemoto, Konawaena

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

Pos Name School Ht Wt Yr

OL Preston Taumua Aiea 6-5 315 Jr.

OL Josiah Timoteo Waianae 6-4 290 Sr.

OL Roebeck Rupp Kahuku 6-4 350 Sr.

OL Iapani Laloulu Farrington 6-2 358 Sr.

OL Brayden Mailo Kahuku 6-2 309 Sr.

RB Va’aimalae Fonoti Kahuku 5-10 193 Jr.

REC Astin Hange Punahou 5-9 165 Jr.

REC Jayden Chanel Aiea 6-2 190 Jr.

REC Zedekiah Anahu-Ambrosio Konawaena 5-9 180 So.

REC Raymond Roller Mililani 5-6 160 Sr.

QB John-Keawe Sagapolutele Punahou 6-2 210 Sr.

U Tama Uiliata Waipahu 5-9 176 Sr.

K Jordan Kapisi Punahou 6-0 190 Sr.

DEFENSE

Pos Name School Ht Wt Yr

DL Kekai Burnett Punahou 6-3 235 Jr.

DL Stanley Raass Kahuku 6-1 290 Jr.

DL Julian Savaiinaea Saint Louis 6-3 230 Sr.

DL Logan Rouse Aiea 6-3 235 Sr.

LB Liona Lefau Kahuku 6-1 215 Sr.

LB Leonard Ah You Kahuku 6-3 201 Sr.

LB GianCarlo Rufo Punahou 6-2 215 Sr.

DB Brock Fonoimoana Kahuku 6-0 185 Sr.

DB Aiden Manutai Kahuku 5-11 176 So.

DB Travis Ross Punahou 5-10 175 Sr.

DB Gavin Hunter Mililani 6-2 190 Sr.

U Kamu Kaaihue Roosevelt 6-3 215 Sr.

P Yosei Takahashi Saint Louis 5-8 167 Sr.

RET Kaimana Carvalho Kahuku 5-10 156 So.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

Pos Name School Ht Wt Yr

OL KJ Hallums Punahou 6-2 270 So.

OL Isaac Maugaleoo Campbell 6-7 310 Sr.

OL Houston Kaahaina-Torres Saint Louis 6-3 265 So.

OL Vaea Ikakoula Kahuku 6-4 295 So.

OL Kamilo Raass Kahuku 5-11 256 Jr.

RB Ala‘i Williams Punahou 6-0 215 Jr.

REC Tana Togafau-Tavui Campbell 6-1 175 So.

REC Kaimana Carvalho Kahuku 5-10 156 So.

REC Titan Lacaden Saint Louis 5-7 160 So.

REC Geronimo Ulgraran Aiea 5-6 160 Sr.

QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele Campbell 6-2 210 So.

U Makana Naleieha Kaiser 6-1 180 Sr.

K Allison Chang ‘Iolani 5-5 151 Sr.

DEFENSE

Pos Name School Ht Wt Yr

DL Hyrum Moors Kahuku 6-0 252 Jr.

DL Jabiel Lauvao Mililani 6-1 217 Jr.

DL Iosefa Tapeni Kapolei 6-3 275 Sr.

DL Tristan Waiamau-Galindo Kamehameha 6-3 220 Jr.

LB Blesyng Alualu-Tuiolemotu Campbell 6-2 220 Sr.

LB Iona Purcell Saint Louis 5-10 201 Sr.

LB Alika Cavaco-Amoy Punahou 6-1 215 Jr.

DB Shaun Niu Kahuku 6-1 180 Sr.

DB Jordan Fetu Mililani 5-10 165 Sr.

DB Kela Moore Campbell 6-1 185 Jr.

DB Madden Soliai Kahuku 5-10 160 Fr.

U Romeo Tagata Waipahu 6-1 245 Sr.

P Kaimana Carvalho Kahuku 5-10 156 So.

RET Coby Tanioka Castle 5-8 155 Sr.

THIRD TEAM

OFFENSE

Pos Name School Ht Wt Yr

OL Caleb Rhinelander Punahou 5-8 270 Jr.

OL Max Rouse Aiea 6-4 270 Sr.

OL Teancum Moeai Kahuku 6-2 270 Sr.

OL Kimo Moniz-Kekumu King Kekaulike 6-0 360 Jr.

OL Tuineau Muti Punahou 6-2 310 Jr.

RB Anieli Talaeai Waipahu 5-8 150 Jr.

REC Mason Muaau Campbell 6-5 215 Sr.

REC Onosa’i Salanoa Mililani 5-11 170 So.

REC Taniela Taliauli ‘Iolani 6-0 182 Jr.

REC David Kalili Nanakuli 5-8 150 Sr.

QB Keoki Alani Konawaena 5-10 160 Jr.

U Nakoa Ige Konawaena 5-10 210 So

K Elijah Dinkel KS-Hawaii 5-10 167 Sr.

DEFENSE

Pos Name School Ht Wt Yr

DL Anelu Lafaele Saint Louis 6-3 220 Jr.

DL Viliami Vakalahi Maui 6-3 300 Jr.

DL Ha‘aheo Dela Cruz ‘Iolani 6-2 218 Sr.

DL Howie Iongi Kahuku 6-1 298 Sr.

LB Aizik Mahuka Aiea 6-1 200 Jr.

LB Robbie Correa Waimea 5-8 170 Sr.

LB Jacob Gaudi ‘Iolani 5-10 188 Sr.

DB Ezekiel Rodrigues Mililani 6-1 185 Sr.

DB Bishop Foumai Aiea 5-6 150 Sr.

DB Terahiti Wolfe Punahou 5-10 180 Jr.

DB Ro‘onui Satta-Ellis Konawaena 6-0 175 Sr.

U Jeremiah White Kaimuki 6-1 175 Jr.

P Jordan Kapisi Punahou 6-0 190 Sr.

RET TItan Lacaden Saint Louis 5-7 160 So.

HONORABLE MENTION

QUARTERBACKS

Waika Crawford, Kahuku

Kini McMillan, Mililani

Kekahi Graham, Saint Louis

Ezekiel Olie, Aiea

Liatama Amisone, Kapolei

Easton Yoshino, Kaiser

Kayman Lewis, Roosevelt

RUNNING BACKS

Michael Hayslett, Radford

Ofa Vehikite, Kaimuki

Kaimana Lale-Saole, Aiea

Jamal Plunkett, Waianae

Nathan Pele-Tukumoeatu, Nanakuli

Aukai Emayo, Waimea

Keao Kawa‘akoa, ‘Iolani

Iosepa Lyman, Punahou

Kapono Na-O, Kapaa

Piercen Evans, Maui

Clyde Taulapapa, Kahuku

Christian Asinsin, Nanakuli

Braeden Togafau, Waipahu

Kawelu Kaiawe, Konawaena

Lincoln Tihada, Lahainaluna

Tysin Zackious, King Kekaulike

RECEIVERS

Rowen Bucao, Campbell

Noah Macapulay, Punahou

Kainoa Carvalho, Kahuku

Tai Aipia-Barrett, Waipahu

Chazen Rodillas-Vesido, Waipahu

Eric Stephens, Moanalua

Bradley Kansou, Pearl City

Jayden Montgomery-Gaopoa, Roosevelt

Jacob Ah Mook Sang, Konawaena

Frank Abreu, KS-Maui

Donovan Reis, Kaiser

Chris Holt, Kalani

OFFENSIVE LINE

Zack Vigilia, Waimea

Tayson Tiitii, Punahou

Skyden Hanisi, Punahou

Kealii Dikilato, Kamehameha

Salesi Anitema, Maui

Kanai Aguilar, Kapaa

Joshua Tavui, Campbell

Nui Crozier, King Kekaulike

Terrance Pemasa, Kamehameha

Dylan Bugayong, Waimea

Bula Montgomery, Lahainaluna

Dallas Sagapolutele, Campbell

Blaze Manley, Mililani

Sone Sanerivi, Saint Louis

Oakland Viliamu, Waipahu

DEFENSIVE LINE

Sila Unutoa, Aiea

Kielan Siamani, Punahou

Nitus Auelua, Kahuku

Joshua Sagapolutele, Saint Louis

Colby Casinas, Moanalua

Chray Flanary, Konawaena

Alaka‘i Molina, Saint Louis

Nazaiah Caravallo, Kamehameha

Kamaehu Kopa-Kaawalauole, Campbell

Noah Wily, Saint Louis

Maximum Fonoimoana, Kahuku

Roy Ma‘afala, Saint Louis

Vincent Tautua, Saint Louis

Solomone Malafu, Kapaa

LINEBACKERS

Elijah Nua, Mililani

Keawe Navas-Loa, Konawaena

Trez Uemoto, Konawaena

Ofa Falekaono, Maui

Lamana Tapusoa, Kahuku

Sylas Alaimalo, Damien

Tysic Puni, Campbell

Zion Junk, ‘Iolani

Josiah Ko‘o Kia, Punahou

Blayne Shiraki, Punahou

Rhaziah Tacub-Taniguchi, Waimea

Brennan Dupio, Kamehameha

Charles Correa, Saint Louis

Kamaehu Roman, Mililani

Faleali‘i Atuaia, Kahuku

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Vili Toilolo, Kahuku

Aiden Takuma, Punahou

Kaonohi Casco, Kamehameha-Maui

Zanden Willis, Saint Louis

Ana Monteilh, Saint Louis

Agenhart Ellis, Punahou

Thomas Marcellino, Hilo

Jeremy Garner, Moanalua

Keegan Gantala, KS-Maui

Cyprus Rombawa-Kai-Rivera, Nanakuli

Chansen Nicodemus-Garcia, Kahuku

Isaiah Iosefa, Mililani

UTILITY

Blade Kaululaau, Pac-Five

Makel Paiva, Mililani

Allen Mahoe III, Nanakuli

Kainalu Davis, Roosevelt

Tyson Apau, Waialua

Kaleopono Wong, King Kekaulike

Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio, Konawaena

KICKERS

Bryson Boyea Quiton, Aiea

Sevy Scofienza, Maui

Marcus Rodriguez, Pearl City

Journey DePeralta, Roosevelt

Xavier Transfiguracion, Waipahu