Larry Ginoza, Waianae High’s winning coach dubbed “Mr. Waianae,” dies at 89

Larry Ginoza, the longtime head football coach at Waianae High School whose teams earned a reputation for discipline and togetherness, died this past Saturday at age 89, according to Yahoo Sports. Even decades after his coaching days ended, former players continued to credit him with teaching lessons that extended beyond the field and into how they carried themselves in school and in life.

Ginoza led Waianae as head coach for 20 seasons through 1984. In that span, he won 189 games, a mark that ranked third on Oahu behind Cal Lee and Wendell Look, per the report. Those numbers reflect more than longevity. They suggest an approach that kept the Seariders competitive through changing personnel and the natural ebb and flow that comes with high school programs.

The phrase “Mr. Waianae” has been used for Ginoza because his impact was described as personal and community-rooted, not just tactical. The report frames his legacy around the culture he established, and it notes that former players still are following the lessons they learned under him long after their own football careers ended.

High school football in Hawaii, especially on Oahu, often carries a dual obligation: it is entertainment for the wider community and a proving ground for young athletes who may not have another path to sharpen skills and habits for future opportunities. Ginoza’s record, the report adds, helped make Waianae’s identity legible on the island’s football map, putting the school in the same tier of coaching history as other Oahu legends.

For Waianae families, programs built on sustained winning can become a shared language across generations. But the story here is also about what the wins allowed. A consistent program can raise participation, make assistant coaches better, and reinforce expectations among players who grow up hearing what it means to play for the Seariders.

In the piece, the coach’s death is presented as a moment for reflection, not just a recap of accomplishments. With no details on circumstances beyond age and timing, the focus remains on his career record and the cultural legacy he left behind at Waianae High.

What to watch next for the Waianae community is how the school and local football network formally recognize Ginoza’s contributions. In communities where high school football is tightly woven into family life, commemorations can also renew attention to the values a coach taught, including accountability, preparation, and the idea that a program belongs to more than the current roster.