In a significant development shaking the North Shore community, former Kahuku High School head football coach Sterling Carvalho has filed a lawsuit against the Hawaii State Department of Education (DOE), its superintendent Keith Hayashi, complex area superintendent Samuel Izumi, former team captain Tavian “Manoa” Hallums, and his father, Kalani K.G. Hallums.

The lawsuit, filed early last week, alleges breach of contract and defamation following Carvalho’s sudden dismissal in March, despite his storied tenure leading the Red Raiders to three consecutive state championships. The lawsuit argues that Carvalho was fired without due process.

The lawsuit stems from a 2023 incident involving a complaint filed by Kalani Hallums, the father of then-team captain Tavian “Manoa” Hallums, who graduated in 2024. According to reports, the complaint centered on Manoa’s playing time and alleged that Carvalho created a “hostile environment” and used threatening language toward Kalani Hallums.

On March 31, 2025, Kahuku principal Donna Lindsey sent a letter to parents announcing that Carvalho would no longer serve as head coach, offering no specific reason for the decision. The abrupt firing shocked players, alumni, and the tight-knit Kahuku community, who rallied in support of Carvalho, citing his transformative impact on the program and its student-athletes

A hearing was held Friday before a packed courtroom, according to media reports. At the end of Friday’s session, O‘ahu Circuit Court Judge Jordon Kimura said he will hold an injunction hearing in the case on July 28.

Carvalho led the Red Raiders to four straight Open Division title games, winning three straight state championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023. His overall record was 58-19 since taking over the program in 2018.

Recently, Kahuku was ranked No. 157 in the Preseason High School Football America 300 national rankings, powered by NFL Play Football. The Red Raiders have been a regular in our national rankings with their highest ranking at No. 15 in 2023. Last year, the school finished finished No. 164 in the nation.