‘We saw the vision’: Le Jardin wins first boys volleyball state title

News admin May 20, 2026 0 Comments

‘We saw the vision’: Le Jardin wins first boys volleyball state title

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After coming close in previous title matches, Le Jardin’s boys volleyball program has its first state championship.

“It’s just something you always see and we see other teams doing it. We lost back to back. Just to be the team celebrating is super cool feeling,” said senior setter Brennan Nakayama.

The Bulldogs had a bumpy ride to the finish line.

Friday’s torrential downpours flooded Windward Oahu, closing the roads to Cannon Activities Center in Laie.

Le Jardin spent over three hours sitting in traffic.

“We checked our phones and it’s a two-hour car ride here and we’re like, oh my god, we gotta hustle,” said senior outside hitter Laakea Kamahele. “In total, it took us three hours, 30 minutes.”

Despite all of the sitting and waiting, there was no lack of adrenaline come game time. The Bulldogs turned in one of their strongest matches of the season, sweeping Pearl City to clinch the title.

“I’ll never forget for the rest of my life and all the hard work that we’ve done,” said senior outside hitter Jake Heidsieck. “Came to this moment and we finally got it done.”

Head coach Makana Wade said, “I was just so happy for them. Like I said, they’ve been so close for so many years, and for these guys to just be able to end on that note, I just can’t think of a better way for it to end.”

At 21 years old, Wade is only a few years older than his players.

Despite coming on board right before the start of the season, Wade earned the trust of his team almost immediately.

“I think we had tryouts, couple of practices and then were already playing in a preseason tournament,” said Wade.

This is Wade’s first gig as a head coach, though he’s learned from the best. His dad is Rainbow Warrior volleyball head coach Charlie Wade.

“I don’t think I have enough time in the day to talk about the advice that he’s given me, but I’m just thankful for him being in my corner,” said Wade. “Really any questions I have, I can come to him, and I think he always gives me the best advice.”

Kamahele said, “Just the knowledge that he holds and all the IQ that he has about the game. He’s been around the game for years and years and years and it’s just amazing we have his legacy with us, the Wade legacy.”

It’s been a week filled with championships for the Wade ohana.

Makana Wade’s victory came days after dad and younger brother, Kainoa, won a national championship.

“Very thankful and a very surreal experience. It’s something I can barely even dream of,” said Wade.

Kamahele said, “Everybody was telling us two Wades won a championship earlier this week. It’s the next Wade’s turn, and we believed in it. We saw the vision and we executed it.”