Jan. 12, 2023

The lights at Kūnuiākea Stadium will shine brightly in prime time as Kamehameha Schools Kapālama plays host to the 2023 Polynesian Bowl, presented by The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, live on the NFL Network Friday, Jan. 20. Kick-off is set for 4:00 p.m. HT (9:00 a.m. ET).

The Polynesian Bowl is an annual all-star game played in Hawai‘i featuring 100 of the nation’s top high school seniors, of Polynesian and non-Polynesian ancestry alike, many of whom go on to play at top-level college programs and the NFL. This is the second year KSK will host the game following an announcement in November 2021 of a multiyear partnership for the event to be held at Kūnuiākea through 2024.

“This partnership with the prestigious Polynesian Bowl celebrates excellence and proudly features the talent of our Polynesian athletes,” said Robert Hesia, KS Kapālama director of Campus Athletics and Human Performance. “It is exciting that this showcase will take place at a school that honors our cultural heritage and identity as Native Hawaiians.”

Representing the KS ‘ohana on one of the two all-star teams this year is three-sport KS Kapālama athlete senior Scotty Dikilato.

“Scotty is a wonderful example of an ʻōiwi leader. He is a multiple-sport athlete, great academic and is very active out in the community,” Hesia shared of the 13-year KSK student. “He is a leader in all that he does, whether it be on the mats, fields, classroom or in the loʻi, he constantly exhibits values like aloha ʻāina, mālama, alakaʻi lawelawe and growth mindset – Scotty embodies what we want our ʻālapa to strive to be.”

Learn more about The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame and this year’s Polynesian Bowl including ticket and roster information here.

High school football fans across the nation will experience Kūnuiākea Stadium from the comfort of their homes and live in prime time on the NFL Network as KS Kapālama plays host to the 2023 Polynesian Bowl Friday, Jan. 20.

Representing the KS ‘ohana in next week’s Polynesian Bowl is KS Kapālama senior Scotty Dikilato. In addition to football, the 13-year KS haumāna is a member of the wrestling in addition to the track and field teams. (Photo courtesy: Polynesian Football Hall of Fame)