At the end of the day, according to left tackle Ka‘ena Decambra, Oahu’s West side is the best side. “We have the best sunsets,” said Decambra, who grew up in Waianae. “We have the best waves.
We have the nicest beaches on that side. Makaha Beach, Yokohama’s, Pokai. The water is beautiful.
” During his hanabata days, he played with the neighborhood kids on the roads. Sometimes they would ride dirt bikes. Other times he would caddie for his father.
“He didn’t let me play golf until I was 12 or 13,” Decambra said. “Every time we played, I had to carry his bag. But it was good.
I got to watch and learn.” But his passion was football. “But football and dirt biking don’t go with each other,” Decambra said.
“My father said I had to give up riding. I made that sacrifice.” It paid off with a successful career at Saint Louis School.
Now Decambra, in his fourth year as a Rainbow Warrior, is having fun playing on the west side of the offensive line. He put in a request when Josh Atkins, last year’s No. 1 left tackle, transferred to Arizona State.
“Once I heard Josh Atkins was leaving, it gave me an opportunity to go out there and play where I always wanted to play,” Decambra said of being the blind-side blocker for quarterback Brayden Schager. “It’s my dream position. I’m trying to secure the position.
I’ve got great competition out there. It’s great for all of us to compete.” Decambra played in all 13 games last year, with nine starts a.