By: Annaliese Gumboc
Nakoa Kahana-Travis recalls every detail of last year’s State Championship game. “The atmosphere, the big hype, the trash-talking,” he said. “I remember everything. The happiness, the sadness.”
It was the Mililani Trojans and the Kahuku Red Raiders, two OIA powerhouses clashing for dominance on the gridiron.
The Trojans had come agonizingly close to victory. Trailing 15–6 at halftime, they fought their way back, clawing to a 19–15 lead over Kahuku. Nakoa himself had scored Mililani’s second touchdown, diving into the end zone from just a yard out.
But with only three minutes left on the clock, the Red Raiders returned a punt for a touchdown, flipping the score to 21–19. Mililani never recovered.
This season, Nakoa and his twin brother, Lehiwa, are on a mission of redemption. “Our goal is to win the state championship,” Nakoa said.
Competition and ambition run in the blood for Lehiwa and Nakoa. Born into an athletic family—where their father played football and their mother and older sister excelled in volleyball and softball—the twins were surrounded by sports from an early age. As young boys, they dabbled in a variety of activities, including wrestling and basketball, fueling their competitive spirit.
“We pretty much grew up around sports,” said Lehiwa.
The twins were introduced to flag football at around age five, and it quickly became their favorite sport.
“I’ve just been playing since I was little,” Nakoa shared. “I fell in love with the sport ever since.”
“Football is where my heart is,” Lehiwa added.
At nine years old, Nakoa and Lehiwa eagerly transitioned from flag football to tackle football, determined to master every position on the field. Over time, they discovered their natural roles—Nakoa as a dynamic running back, and Lehiwa as a skilled slotback. Yet, Lehiwa’s versatility shone through as he continued to excel on defense, proving he wasn’t confined to just one side of the ball.
The twins trained side by side, constantly pushing each other to reach new heights. Their bond, forged through competition and shared goals, remains just as strong today.
“We’re pretty much with each other every day, wherever we go,” said Nakoa. “Whether it’s the beach or football camps, we’re always together.”
As twin brothers, Nakoa and Lehiwa never felt any different from other siblings. “It’s just like having a regular brother, but he looks exactly like you,” Nakoa joked.
Raised in Wahiawa, the Kahana-Travis twins initially planned to attend Leilehua High School. However, when the time came, the family decided on Mililani, drawn by the Trojans’ strong educational and athletic programs.
“They push you to the next level and help you grow as a person,” Lehiwa explained. “Not just on the field, but in the classroom too.”
By their sophomore year, Nakoa and Lehiwa had earned spots on Mililani’s varsity team, where they quickly thrived.
Nakoa quickly made his mark. In his debut season in 2022, the running back rushed for 184 yards, the second-most on the team, according to ScoringLive. Meanwhile, Lehiwa contributed 183 receiving yards and made six tackles on defense.
By the following year, Nakoa’s impact soared. He ranked third in rushing yards (705) across the entire HHSAA Open Division, despite carrying the ball fewer times than any other top-five rusher. Lehiwa also elevated his game, improving to 265 receiving yards.
Entering the 2024 season, the brothers knew this was their final shot to bring home a state title for Mililani and exact revenge on the Red Raiders. As seniors, this was their last year wearing Trojan gold.
Early adversity struck, however, when Nakoa suffered an injury at the start of the season. In his absence, Lehiwa stepped up, becoming Mililani’s leader in both scoring and receiving yards.
Nakoa returned to the field in September, just in time for Mililani’s clash against California’s Los Alamitos. In a nail-biting 27–24 victory, the Trojans handed the mainland powerhouse their first loss of the season. Nakoa found the end zone once, while Lehiwa scored twice, solidifying the twins’ crucial role in the team’s success.
“It sucks being hurt,” Nakoa said in an interview with KHON2. “But getting back on the field with my brother, it’s just a blessing.”
With both Kahana-Travis brothers back on the field — and a talented roster around them — the Trojans are in prime position for a title run. Undefeated at 5–0, including victories against mainland teams, Mililani now faces their toughest challenge yet: a September 28 rematch against the Kahuku Red Raiders.
For the twins, it’s personal. “Our big target is Kahuku,” Nakoa stated, eager for redemption.
This final season as Trojans is filled with urgency. Every game, every snap, every breath moves them either closer to or further from the state championship. There will be no second chances.
