Who is greatest Hawaii high school athlete ever? Vote now in 'USA 250' poll

The landscape of Hawaii — beaches, mountains and sunsets — is unmatched. The landscape of local high school sports isn’t far behind.

Several former star Hawaiian athletes have gone pro, whether by winning Super Bowls in the NFL or by earning medals in the Olympics and other international tournaments. From football to swimming, there are notable stars around the United States. 

Who are the all-time best Hawaii high school athletes?

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, USA TODAY is launching its 250 for 250 series, looking to answer that question by celebrating the best athletes from each state.

With your votes, five will be selected to represent the athletes who have defined high school sports.

With that in mind, here are the 16 Hawaii high school athlete nominees, listed in alphabetical order. 

DeForest Buckner, Boys Basketball, Football, Punahou High School (Honolulu) 

DeForest Buckner was a high-level athlete in basketball and football, named the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year in basketball as he led his team to a championship, and a three-star defensive end in football. He attended Oregon and has made three NFL Pro Bowls. 

Clarissa Chun, Girls Wrestling, Roosevelt High School (Honolulu) 

Girls wrestling became a sanctioned sport in Hawaii just in time for Clarissa Chun, who won the state championship in its first year. This catapulted her to international success, as she won a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and a gold medal at the 2008 World Championships. 

Nani Cockett, Girls Basketball, Girls Volleyball, Kamehameha Schools (Honolulu)

Nani Cockett was a three-time basketball Player of the Year for the Star-Bulletin, recognized each year from 1991-93. She was part of three championship basketball teams and a pair of volleyball championships. 

Clarence Crabbe, Boys Swimming, Punahou High School 

Clarence Crabbe, as a three-year letterman and captain of the 1927 swimming team, also competed in football, basketball and track. He went pro, winning an Olympic gold medal, and set 16 world records over his career. 

Sid Fernandez, Baseball, Kaiser High School (Honolulu) 

In Sid Fernandez’s first start at Kaiser, he threw a no-hitter. It was a sign of things to come — as a senior, he helped lead the team to a championship behind his 5-1 record on the mound. Fernandez had a 15-year MLB career with two All-Star appearances and a World Series championships. 

Russ Francis, Football, Track and Field, Kailua High School 

Not many Hawaiians have the breadth of athletic accomplishment of Russ Fracis. The dual-sport athlete set a national record in javelin as a senior, a record that stood for 17 years, and was a quarterback on the football team, which led him to a 13-year NFL career and three Pro Bowls as a tight end. He was drafted by the Kansas City Royals. 

Blane Gaison, Football, Kamehameha Schools 

Blane Gaison was one of the best quarterbacks of his era, leading Kamehameha to back-to-back championships in 1974 and ’75. He attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa and then played on the Atlanta Falcons as a defensive back. 

Marcus Mariota, Football, Track and Field, Saint Louis School (Honolulu) 

Marcus Mariota didn’t start until his senior year, but he made the most of the opportunity, going 11-1 and winning the state championship while being named Offensive Player of the Year. He also competed in track and field, where he contributed to the 4x100 state title victory. 

McKenzie Milton, Football, Track and Field, Mililani High School 

After showing signs of excellence early in his high school career, McKenzie Milton broke out in a big way as a senior: He led Mililani to its first Div. I championship with a 421-yard, seven-touchdown performance. He was Mililani’s first Gatorade Hawaii Football Player of the Year, and named USA TODAY’s Hawaii Offensive Player of the Year. 

Carissa Moore, Surfing, Punahou High School 

With 11 National Scholastic Surfing Association titles, Carissa Moore was one of the great teenage surfers. She was the youngest champion at a Triple Crown of Surfing event at age 16, and today is a five-time World Champion and an Olympic gold medalist. 

Arnold Morgado, Football, Boys Basketball, Track, Punahou High School 

As a fullback at Punahou, Arnold Morgado was twice named to the All-Star First-Team and once to the Second Team. He was an elite defender in basketball, and was rated second-best pole vaulter in Hawaii in 1971, according to the Punahou Hall of Fame. 

Robyn Ah Mow, Girls Volleyball, McKinley High School (Honolulu) 

Robin Ah Mow was among the top volleyball players in Hawaii in each of her four years at McKinley, being named to the all-Oahu Interscholastic Association East team four times and All-State First-Team three times. 

Tua Tagovailoa, Football, Saint Louis School 

Tua Tagovailoa was a highly touted football recruit who led Saint Louis to a state championship, won the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year, and graduated with nearly 10,000 total yards and over 110 total touchdowns. 

Mosiula Tatupu, Football, Boys Basketball, Baseball, Punahou School 

A three-time all-state selection in football, Mosi Tatupu set single-season and three-year career rushing records, according to Punahou. He won championships in baseball and basketball; in the latter, he was named all-state. 

Manti Te’o, Football, Punahou School 

As a junior, Manti Te’o was already the best football player in the state, named Defensive Player of the Year by the Honolulu Advertiser and Gatorade’s Hawaii Player of the Year. He helped Punahou win its first championship in 2008 and won Gatorade Hawaii Player of the Year for the second year in a row. 

Jesse Sapolu, Football, Farrington High School (Honolulu) 

An All-State offensive lineman, Jesse Sapolu showcased his skill set that would help him become a four-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers. He co-founded the Polynesian Pro Football Hall of Fame.