No‘eau Lindsey is hoping a big-picture perspective will help the Honokaa football team prosper on and off the field.
Lindsey, who was a defensive assistant last season, was recently hired as the Dragons coach, replacing Hana Hanohano.
The Dragons finished with a 2-6 record in the BIIF, including a 36-0 loss to eventual champion Konawaena in the Division II semifinals.
“We’re interested in building the community with quality young men, kids who will give back to the community,” Lindsey said. “We’re trying to build up citizenship in the community. We want the kids to get their grades up. It’s about improving their grades and just about life in general.
“Sometimes, the boys have a hard time at looking at the big picture. We want to use football as an opportunity to get ahead in life.”
One shining example is 2015 Honokaa graduate Kamaehu Richards, who’s playing ball at Pima (Ariz.) Community College.
“We got good examples that they can follow,” Lindsey said. “We want to bring that to the forefront.”
Lindsey is related to the Lyndell Lindsey, the director of the Haili Tournament.
But the 1999 Honokaa graduate never had time to play volleyball. His heart was into football, and now he gets to run his own program.
“I’m excited about it,” he said.
Lindsey is the athletic director at Kanu O Ka Aina, a public charter school in Waimea.
He’s been there for 13 years and worked his way up the ladder. Lindsey started as a computer technician, taught classes, and was named the AD last year.
Last season, four of his Kanu O Ka Aina students played for Honokaa’s football team. He’s expecting about 10 to join the Dragons for the upcoming season.
Next season for the 2016-17 BIIF year, Lindsey is hoping to put together a girls volleyball and paddling team, and a boys junior varsity basketball team.
His team-building with the Dragons started on Monday with open gym workouts.
“We’re starting fresh with a clean slate,” Lindsey said. “Even though I know the kids from last season, everyone will have to work to earn their position. We want to find the best fit for each kid on the team.”
