LAIE, Hawaii — Disappointment took about 15 minutes to transform into resolve for Kainoa Wade.
Kamehameha led Punahou two sets to none in Saturday’s HHSAA Division I boys volleyball championship, then by a score of 22-20 in the fourth — three points shy of clinching its first state title since 2011. But the Buffanblu, as they made a habit of doing all season, refused to stay down and rallied for their 10th straight championship in a classic five-setter.
Wade, the Warriors’ star hitter, had 30 kills on a whopping 88 swings with 10 blocks, 10 digs and three aces in a losing effort. He became the rare player to lose out on a championship but still receive a tournament Most Outstanding Player honor.
That was likely not much consolation, but Wade was collected in an interview with Spectrum News on the Cannon Activities Center floor right after the defeat.
He was asked what he thought he showed in a breakout sophomore year after an injury kept him out much of his freshman season.
“I think we showed that this team is going to be here for the next couple of years, and we’re going to be back, better than ever,” he replied.
Wade rued a series of unforced errors that contributed to his team's inability to finish the job.
“They played a hell of a volleyball game,” he said of the Buffanblu. “We came out firing, they just combatted (it) and we had no answer.”
Despite the setback for the best player on one of the state's elite teams, Wade’s future is already glaringly bright as a Division I prospect. His father, University of Hawaii head coach Charlie Wade, was among a couple thousand fans to take in the match at Brigham Young University Hawaii’s arena.
He is 6 feet 8 and likely still growing; he is able to hit right over the top of most of his competition and commands frequent triple coverage at the net. His jump serves are accurate and powerful and his defense continues to improve.
Warriors coach Sava Agpoon regularly rode his right arm throughout the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season, culminating with the Warriors’ first league championship in years. Already well known, Wade turned heads midway through the ILH schedule with a 46-kill match in a five-set win over Iolani on April 3.
“I believe he’s the most terminal player in the state, probably, maybe the nation,” Agpoon said. “When I looked at his stats on MaxPreps, he has 600 to 700 kills and he played the least amount of sets from all the people top 10.”
Punahou coach Rick Tune raved about Wade over the course of seven head-to-head matchups with Kamehameha in 2023. His passing in the final was noticeably improved, Tune said. The two shared a hug in the post-game handshake line.
“He’s just a special player. And he’s a special kid too,” Tune said. “The human being as equally as impressive as the volleyball talent on the court, and I truly mean that. Nothing but respect for that guy.”
Wade made for some sleepless nights in the ILH and state postseason, Tune allowed.
“He kept me up for like three nights trying to game plan. Waking up at 3 in the morning, getting my notepad, jotting stuff down. I’m going to get some sleep now.”
Until next season, at least.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.