As the Kamehameha girls soccer team takes the pitch for its 2026-2027 season later this month, the defending state champions will be led by a senior class that's already accomplished something extraordinary as a unit.
All 10 members of the team's senior class are set to play NCAA Division I soccer next year, with each making their commitments official by signing with their respective schools.
On Thursday morning, 18 Kamehameha seniors gathered at Kekūhaupiʻo Gymnasium to sign with their collegiate destinations in front of family and friends. The soccer team took up the majority of the signing tables, with a total of eight Mainland schools represented among the 10 signees. The full list:
Shelby Aoki, University of Wyoming
Kailea Ariola, South Dakota State University
Cassie Jenkins, California Baptist University
Olena Kuhau-Liftee, Liberty University
Ava Lau, California Baptist University
Kaya Leslie, Long Beach State University
Ayva-Ray Malepeai, University of Kentucky
Avalee McGuire, University of Wyoming
Kaila Miller, California State University, Fullerton
Kaahupahau "Kulia" Montgomery, Arizona State University
A total of 18 Kamehameha senior athletes signed with collegiate teams on Thursday. Photo by Christian Shimabuku (Aloha State Daily Staff) 
A total of 18 Kamehameha senior athletes signed with collegiate teams on Thursday. Photo by Christian Shimabuku (Aloha State Daily Staff)
"It's the coolest thing. I think it's exciting," said Montgomery, the who won Hawai‘i Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior after registering 16 goals and seven assists in a 17-1 campaign for the Warriors. "Looking forward to our senior season. All of us are committed and signed, so now we can just worry about our season and just winning."
Beyond the high school season, Kamehameha's players gained additional exposure on the club circuit. Members of the team suited up for local clubs such as Hawai‘i Rush Soccer Club, Leahi Soccer Club, Hawai‘i Surf Soccer Club and more.
When it came time to commit to a school, players weren't afraid to expand beyond their comfort zones.
"Although it's really, really far, I really want to play at a big school, a competitive and elite program," Malepeai said of her decision to play for Kentucky of the SEC. "I just knew it was the right choice."
Though each player chose the school best for their respective goals, two players each signed with California Baptist and Wyoming.
"Avalee is my best friend," Aoki said of fellow Wyoming signee McGuire. "We go to the same school, we play for the same club, and we live in the same town. It's awesome that I'm going with Ava, and just to have someone that's from Hawai‘i in Wyoming because there's not a lot of Hawaii people.
"It's very special that 10 of us are going DI, and I think what's cool is that we all kind of had our own path and our own journey in terms of recruiting, and we're going all over the place around the continent and around the country. It's very special to be a part of such a talented group of girls, especially to represent Kamehameha."
With signing day behind them, the Warriors are prepared to take every team's best shot in the upcoming season.
"It could be really special. The seniors are really hungry for it this year, we want to go back-to-back," Malepeai said. "Obviously, we're gonna have to compete really hard and work hard. But I feel like we're all working towards the same goal, so I feel like with trust in each other, we'll get the outcome we want."
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
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