HONOLULU — For months, the word on the street was that Kamehameha star Kainoa Wade was set on reclassifying to graduate early and join the Hawaii men’s volleyball team one year ahead of schedule.

On Wednesday night, he confirmed that is his intent.

“It’s definitely in the works,” Wade told Spectrum News after the Warriors’ four-set loss to defending boys volleyball state champion Punahou at Kamehameha’s Kekuhaupio Gym.

His plan is to graduate from the Kapalama Campus in December and enroll at UH Manoa in January to play for his father, Charlie Wade, starting in the 2025 season instead of 2026.

“We’ve been talking about it, for sure. That’s my intention,” Wade said.

Charlie Wade was on hand to watch his son play Wednesday; the 6-foot-9 hitter gave another stellar effort with 34 kills in the 25-20, 22-25, 25-21, 25-23 loss to the Buffanblu.

Punahou coach Rick Tune called Wade “Superman” afterward.

“When he’s on the floor, it’s always a tough game,” Tune said, noting the junior was firing balls over the top of the Buffanblu block.

Wade would follow a similar path as UH freshman setter Tread Rosenthal, who wrapped up his duties at Mira Costa (Calif.) High ahead of time in 2023 so he could enroll at Manoa in January as a 17-year-old. Wade said the two have been in regular contact.

If all goes to plan, the upcoming state tournament in May will be Wade’s last chance to deliver Kamehameha its first HHSAA boys volleyball title since Micah Christenson led the way in 2011. Punahou has won the last 10 Division I championships.

“For sure (we have what it takes),” Wade said after Kamehameha dropped to 3-2 in Interscholastic League of Honolulu play. “I’m not losing confidence in anything I do. I think we’re going to be in that final match and then (have a) 50-50 chance. We’re in it to win it.”

Wade gave his verbal commitment to play for UH last June, not long after the Warriors reached the state championship match and came within three points of winning it all on the shoulders of their super sophomore. Wade was a unanimous state player of the year to back up his HHSAA Most Outstanding Player honors.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.