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Aukai Wong expected to be an assistant coach this winter.
Instead, Punahou announced the former Hawaii Hilo player as the new boys basketball varsity head coach on Monday.
“I’m excited for the opportunity. There’s a lot at stake, I know,” said Wong, 39.
“This is truly an honor. Punahou has one of the richest traditions in Hawai‘i, and I’m humbled to be trusted with leading this program,” he texted. “I’m grateful to the administration, the players, the families, and everyone who helped me get to this point. My family and I are excited to become part of this community.”
Punahou won the state championship in 2025 under Darren Matsuda, who had been the Buffanblu coach since 2010. This year, the Buffanblu reached the state final and lost to Kahuku, 40-39. In May, Punahou’s athletic department announced that Matsuda was dismissed as head coach, but would not comment on a specific reason.
He had won three state titles in 15 seasons.
Enter Wong, whose son, James, was a starting wing for Kohala last year. Wong was an assistant coach under then-head coach Kihei Kapeliela, who led Kohala the Division II state crown. James Wong enrolled at Punahou in the off-season.
“I was ready to assist Darren in this upcoming year. What happened to him was unfortunate,” Wong said. “I was shocked.”
Despite vast success, turmoil within the program in recent seasons was a factor. Matsuda had no say in the addition of all his assistant coaches.
“I understand the frustrations and I know there’s karma. There’s a way to handle things,” Wong said. “We are where we are.”
He and his family are familiar with Punahou’s top returnee, 6-foot-6 senior Tanoa Scanlan. Several starters and role players have graduated.
“Our culture is built on respect, humility, accountability, discipline, and love for one another,” Wong said. “Talent matters, but character and daily habits will define who we become.”
Since he was just hired, Wong did not oversee the program during the spring and summer. Year-round training is a key factor in the success of Punahou’s rivals.
Wong played for the late Larry Manliguis at Hilo before matriculating to Carl Albert State and Warner Pacific before playing his final two years at UH Hilo.
His life as a Vulcan continued post-graduation for a decade as an assistant coach, player development coach and a volunteer with their NIL program.
More recently, Wong was an athletic director, assistant coach and player development coach at Utah Prep while son James attended the middle school. He is the owner of AW Construction &Project Management, LLC.
Wong met with the team for more than an hour after the announcement that he would become head coach.
“The meeting was good. I want to get all the legwork done, starting with everything. Hiring. A lot of the JV and intermediate side will mostly stay in their positions,” he said.
Punahou alumnus Alan Lum led the program to a state title in 1999, but was eventually released. Greg Tacon was a Lahainaluna graduate coaching on the mainland before he was hired.
Another Punahou alum, Dan Hale, guided the team to a state runner-up finish in 2005 and a state title in 2006, but eventually moved to Virginia to stay close to his parents before returning to coach at Saint Louis.
Matsuda came from California and lifted the Honolulu Sharks club team to elite heights. Punahou won state championships under him in 2012, ’19 and ’25.
Wong brings a different background.
“I’m an all-in type of person. I’m going to give everything I’ve got to the school, the program, the kids, from kindergarten all the way to high school. I plan on running a program that I can teach to kids in kindergarten,” he said. “I’m relentless in everything I do. We’re going to compete every day at a high level at practice. We’ll play to cut your throat, but do it humbly. There’s a lot of hate from certain people, but I’m very disciplined, so we will show up every day on time to work.”
Hawaii Prep World
For high school sports record books, visit .
Continue reading...
Instead, Punahou announced the former Hawaii Hilo player as the new boys basketball varsity head coach on Monday.
“I’m excited for the opportunity. There’s a lot at stake, I know,” said Wong, 39.
“This is truly an honor. Punahou has one of the richest traditions in Hawai‘i, and I’m humbled to be trusted with leading this program,” he texted. “I’m grateful to the administration, the players, the families, and everyone who helped me get to this point. My family and I are excited to become part of this community.”
Punahou won the state championship in 2025 under Darren Matsuda, who had been the Buffanblu coach since 2010. This year, the Buffanblu reached the state final and lost to Kahuku, 40-39. In May, Punahou’s athletic department announced that Matsuda was dismissed as head coach, but would not comment on a specific reason.
He had won three state titles in 15 seasons.
Enter Wong, whose son, James, was a starting wing for Kohala last year. Wong was an assistant coach under then-head coach Kihei Kapeliela, who led Kohala the Division II state crown. James Wong enrolled at Punahou in the off-season.
“I was ready to assist Darren in this upcoming year. What happened to him was unfortunate,” Wong said. “I was shocked.”
Despite vast success, turmoil within the program in recent seasons was a factor. Matsuda had no say in the addition of all his assistant coaches.
“I understand the frustrations and I know there’s karma. There’s a way to handle things,” Wong said. “We are where we are.”
He and his family are familiar with Punahou’s top returnee, 6-foot-6 senior Tanoa Scanlan. Several starters and role players have graduated.
“Our culture is built on respect, humility, accountability, discipline, and love for one another,” Wong said. “Talent matters, but character and daily habits will define who we become.”
Since he was just hired, Wong did not oversee the program during the spring and summer. Year-round training is a key factor in the success of Punahou’s rivals.
Wong played for the late Larry Manliguis at Hilo before matriculating to Carl Albert State and Warner Pacific before playing his final two years at UH Hilo.
His life as a Vulcan continued post-graduation for a decade as an assistant coach, player development coach and a volunteer with their NIL program.
More recently, Wong was an athletic director, assistant coach and player development coach at Utah Prep while son James attended the middle school. He is the owner of AW Construction &Project Management, LLC.
Wong met with the team for more than an hour after the announcement that he would become head coach.
“The meeting was good. I want to get all the legwork done, starting with everything. Hiring. A lot of the JV and intermediate side will mostly stay in their positions,” he said.
Punahou alumnus Alan Lum led the program to a state title in 1999, but was eventually released. Greg Tacon was a Lahainaluna graduate coaching on the mainland before he was hired.
Another Punahou alum, Dan Hale, guided the team to a state runner-up finish in 2005 and a state title in 2006, but eventually moved to Virginia to stay close to his parents before returning to coach at Saint Louis.
Matsuda came from California and lifted the Honolulu Sharks club team to elite heights. Punahou won state championships under him in 2012, ’19 and ’25.
Wong brings a different background.
“I’m an all-in type of person. I’m going to give everything I’ve got to the school, the program, the kids, from kindergarten all the way to high school. I plan on running a program that I can teach to kids in kindergarten,” he said. “I’m relentless in everything I do. We’re going to compete every day at a high level at practice. We’ll play to cut your throat, but do it humbly. There’s a lot of hate from certain people, but I’m very disciplined, so we will show up every day on time to work.”
Hawaii Prep World
For high school sports record books, visit .
Continue reading...
