Athletic Administration
Athletic Director: Gregory Van Cantfort
Email: gregory.van_cantfort@k12.hi.us
Phone: 808-305-0652
Gregory Van Cantfort earned his B.S. in Secondary Education (History) from Chaminade University in 1988 and his Master’s Degree in Education Foundations & Leadership from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2002. He began his career at Kalani High School in 1988 as a social studies teacher and girls soccer coach. After seven successful seasons leading the girls program, he transitioned to coaching the boys soccer team before being named Kalani’s fifth Athletic Director in 2006. As Athletic Director, Mr. Van Cantfort oversees 21 sports, 57 teams, and a dedicated staff of more than 120 coaches and personnel. He manages the department’s annual operating budget and has guided the expansion of Kalani Athletics with the addition of Boys Volleyball, JV Boys Soccer, Girls Flag Football, and Boys and Girls Surfing. Throughout his tenure, he has served in numerous leadership roles at both the local and national levels. He currently serves as the OIA Sports Coordinator for Boys Volleyball and the HHSAA State Coordinator for Girls Soccer. His past leadership includes serving as OIA Athletic Directors Chairperson, HIADA Strategic Planning Committee member, National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) Certified National Faculty member, and NIAAA National Board Member for Section 7. “I value being the Athletic Director at Kalani High School because it allows me to make a lasting impact on the lives of students and coaches by creating opportunities, fostering growth through sports, and upholding the proud traditions of excellence, sportsmanship, and community that define the Falcon spirit.” GO FALCONS!
Assistant Athletic Director: Janeen Waialae
Email: janeen.waialae@k12.hi.us
Phone:
Janeen Waialae has served as an Assistant Athletic Director and a dedicated tenure as a volleyball coach since 2006 at Kalani High School. Janeen blends administrative expertise with hands-on dedication. This commitment to competitive excellence and positive mentorship was recognized when she was named the KSSK Female Coach of the Year in 2023. Holding a foundation in the sport as a former collegiate player at Chaminade University and serving as a Special Education Math Teacher, Janeen is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and for prioritizing the personal and academic development of students above all else.
Athletic Trainers/Team Physician
Marissa Fukunaga, EdD, ATC
Email: marissa.fukunaga@k12.hi.us
Email: marissa.fukunaga@k12.hi.us
Marissa Fukunaga, EdD, ATC, is a certified athletic trainer who has been practicing since 2015. A proud 2011 graduate of Kalani High School, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Chapman University, followed by a Master of Science from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, and a Doctorate of Education in Health Professions from A.T. Still University. She began her career at Sacred Hearts Academy (2015-2016) before returning to Kalani in 2016. Dr. Fukunaga has held leadership roles at the league, state, district, and national levels, including positions with the OIA Athletic Trainers’ Association, Hawaii Athletic Trainers’ Association, Far West Athletic Trainers’ Association, and as a representative to the NATA Secondary School Athletic Trainers’ Committee. She also serves as a preceptor for the UH Mānoa athletic training program. Her professional expertise includes serving as a subject matter expert in heat illness prevention and management.
Ben Kuenzli, MS, ATC
Email: ben.kuenzli@k12.hi.us
Email: ben.kuenzli@k12.hi.us
Ben Kuenzli, ATC, has served as a certified athletic trainer at Kalani HIgh School since 2008. Ben is dual certified in teaching and athletic training, and his prior DOE service includes teaching in Peer Education, a life skills program, at McKinley High School. Ben graduated from Boise State University in 2006, and first visited Hawaii on a national student exchange to University of Hawaii, Manoa in 2001. Ben also completed his Master's in Adapted Physical Education from Manoa in 2012. Ben has contributed to his profession through the OIA Athletic Trainer's Association, serving on the Cross Country Committee evaluating heat illness in runners and as the OIA East representative. Ben finds his passion in assisting our student athletes pursue their dreams and achieve their goals while preparing for their future beyond their years as a Falcon. Ben is an active sailor and spends most of his free time on the water!
Dr. Courtney Taum, MD
Dr. Courtney Taum is a dedicated medical professional and proud alumna of Kalani High School and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where she also played basketball for the Rainbow Wahine. She attended the University of Hawaiʻi John A Burns School of Medicine and following her residency in Pediatrics, she completed a Sports Medicine Fellowship with UH Athletics. Dr. Taum now utilizes her combined clinical and athletic experience to serve the local community and currently practices at the University of Hawaiʻi.
Athletic Department Mission
Kalani High School’s Athletic Program is an integral part of our school community, offering students the opportunity to pursue excellence in both academics and athletics. With a wide range of interscholastic sports, our program is designed to encourage participation, build school spirit, and promote healthy lifestyles.
We emphasize the values of commitment, teamwork, discipline, respect, and sportsmanship, believing that these qualities extend far beyond the playing field. Through practice and competition, student-athletes learn to set goals, face challenges, and grow as leaders, while representing Kalani with pride and integrity.
Kalani has a proud tradition of athletic excellence, with teams and individuals achieving success at both the OIA and HHSAA championship levels, contributing to a legacy that inspires current and future Falcons.
Our coaches, staff, and administrators are committed to providing a safe, supportive, and competitive environment where every athlete has the chance to reach their full potential. Participation in athletics at Kalani High School is a privilege and is not only about striving for victory, but also about building character, fostering lifelong friendships, and preparing students for success in life beyond high school.
Athletic Department Vision
At Kalani High School, our vision is to provide every student with the opportunity to participate in athletics, fostering growth, pride, and a lifelong appreciation for sports. We are committed to delivering quality experiences through excellent coaching, training, and competition. With sportsmanship as our foundation, we cultivate respect, integrity, and teamwork. Through a shared commitment to excellence and perseverance, our athletic program inspires student-athletes to reach their fullest potential while strengthening school spirit and community bonds.
Sports Offered
Fall Sports
- Air Riflery (B/G Varsity)
- Bowling (B/G Varsity)
- Cheerleading (Competition/Sideline)
- Cross Country (B/G JV/Varsity)
- Football (JV/Varsity)
- Soft Tennis (B/G Varsity)
- Softball (JV)
- Volleyball (G JV/White/Varsity)
Winter Sports
- Baseball (JV)
- Basketball (B/G JV/Varsity)
- Paddling (B/G JV/Varsity)
- Soccer (B/G JV/Varsity)
- Swimming/Diving (B/G JV/Varsity)
- Tennis (G JV)
- Wrestling (B/G JV/Varsity)
Spring Sports
- Baseball (Varsity)
- Flag Football (G Varsity)
- Golf (B/G Varsity)
- Judo (B/G Varsity)
- Softball (Varsity)
- Surfing (B/G Varsity)
- Tennis (B/G Varsity)
- Track/Field (B/G JV/Varsity)
- Volleyball (B JV/Varsity)
- Waterpolo (G Varsity)
