Keaau and Kealakehe kick off preseason football playing state title contenders from Maui, where gridiron prosperity grows on taller trees.
The Cougars (0-7 BIIF Division I) play Lahainaluna (10-1 MIL D-II) on Saturday at War Memorial Stadium on the Valley Isle.
The Lunas were ranked No. 1 in the state, but lost to No. 2 Iolani 31-14 for the HHSAA Division II state championship.
Kealakehe (3-4) takes on Maui High (7-3) at 7 p.m. Saturday at Waverider Stadium in a Division I battle.
The Sabers lost to Farrington 22-6 in a first-round game at the Division I state tournament last year.