Waianae mourns legendary Seariders football coach Larry Ginoza

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The Waianae community is still mourning the loss of Larry Ginoza.

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The longtime Seariders football coach (1965–1984) and campus administrator died June 13. He was 89.

Ginoza was the architect of a football team that dominated for 20 seasons. “Coach G” amassed 189 victories, ranking third all-time in the state behind Wendell Look and Cal Lee.

“I think leadership,” Waianae athletic director Kekoa Kaluhiokalani said. “I think educator, motivator, and someone who set clear expectations and standards.”

A graduate of ‘Iolani, Ginoza played football for legendary coach Father Bray.

Eventually he transitioned to coaching for Waianae, where his squads won nine OIA titles and four Prep Bowls, creating the blueprint Searider teams emulate to this day.

“My dad started on day one, same time with Coach G. For me, it’s Uncle Larry,” Waianae vice principal Kendall Maeda said.

Maeda has fond memories of Ginoza growing up. He remembers Ginoza as a firm, but fair, coach and a master of using his players and putting them in the best scheme to be successful.

Beyond the gridiron, Ginoza was a mentor and an excellent educator.

“Being an administrator now, you know, attending especially football games and things like that, I run into a lot of the old time guys and they continually speak about Coach G,” Maeda said. “His mentorship and his ability to just care for the kids of Waianae.”

His impact can still be seen to this day as Waianae debuted a brand new artificial turf field two years ago — one of Coach G’s last endeavors.

“One of the best stadiums in the in the country and it’s a large credit to him and what he built here,” Maeda said.

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“When he spoke, guys listen, and I think shortly after, we started preparing for this field, so yeah, big impact Coach had,” Kaluhiokalani added.

Countless former players of Ginoza sent their love and condolences to the family, thanking Coach G for what he taught them during their time as a Searider.

Players like Manny DeSoto, who said, “Coach’s legacy was about family. We were like brothers on the football team. Being humble was a prerequisite.”

Fellow former Searider Tom Tuinei credited Ginoza for helping him get to the University of Hawaii and a professional career.

“That’s how I got my scholarship to UH was because of the way they taught me how to play football and they got me up to pro, so he was very, very instrumental in that,” Tuinei said. “Little did I know at that time that those same characteristics were later on in life that formed me.”

Ginoza was a larger-than-life figure on the west side of Oahu, leaving an impact that will never be forgotten.

“I love Coach Ginoza and the whole Waianae staff and we’re gonna be at a loss for Waianae,” Tuinei said.

“So much people are so thankful and grateful for the impact of what he had done for our community.” Kaluhiokalani said.

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