A single social media post not only ended Sterling Carvalho’s successful coaching career but also led to an ongoing legal battle as he continues to fight to clear his name and seek justice.
Sterling Carvalho was the head football coach at Kahuku High & Intermediate School in Hawai‘i.
He served in that role from 2018 through 2024, compiling a 59–18 record and leading the team to three consecutive state championships from 2021 to 2023.
In early March 2024, Team captain, Tavian “Manoa” Hallums’ father posted online criticism of Coach Sterling Carvalho.
F—k Sterling Carvalho …shady b—h Had I known how this clown operates I would’ve NEVER brought Manoa here.
He accused the coach of mistreating his son and unfairly benching him during a playoff game.
This post quickly circulated within the Kahuku football community.
In response, Carvalho called a private one-on-one meeting with Manoa in the school’s weight room shortly after the post.
According to Manoa, Carvalho pressured him to publicly defend his coach by posting something online that contradicted his father’s statements.
Manoa said Carvalho told him,
Defend your head coach or you’re not all in with the team.
Carvalho later acknowledged the meeting but denied any intent to intimidate, saying he was trying to support Manoa through a difficult situation and protect him from backlash within the team.
However, the state Department of Education investigated and decided to remove him from his coaching position on March 31, 2025.
The Court Denied Sterling Carvalho’s Attempt to Reclaim the Kahuku Coaching Job!
Carvalho subsequently filed a lawsuit in July 2025 against the DOE, Superintendent Keith Hayashi, the area superintendent who oversaw his firing, and both Manoa and his father.
He claimed wrongful termination, breach of contract, and defamation.
Furthermore, he requested a court order reinstating him before the start of Kahuku’s 2025 season, which begins August 9.
He said his lawsuit is meant to clear his name and return to coaching.
Further, he insists that his actions were misunderstood and were never intended to intimidate or create a hostile environment, saying:
That’s what I wanna get back doing, just serving the boys, serving the community, and just doing what’s right.
He also expressed regret if his words were misconstrued, but denied any intent to bully or threaten.
Still, on August 1, 2025, a judge denied his request for a preliminary injunction on August 1, ruling he did not meet the legal burden of showing likely success or irreparable harm.
The lawsuit is ongoing, with further proceedings likely stretching into 2027.
Carvalho and his legal team say they will continue pursuing the case as they await a final decision.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Coach Sterling Carvalho grew up on the island of Kaua‘i and graduated from Kaua‘i High School.
- He earned degrees in Math Education from BYU-Hawai‘i and Educational Administration from UH Mānoa.
- He lives in Hau‘ula and has a twin brother named Stewart in La‘ie.
