Its defense is omnipresent.

Anchored by a fierce defensive effort, host Punahou held Kamehameha scoreless in the second half en route to a 16-4 win in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu girls water polo title game last night.

"They are very intense," Kamehameha coach Kelli Billish-Fetter said. "They are very strong and don't back down."

Punahou allowed two goals each in the first and second quarters, then tightened down on the Kamehameha players. In the third quarter, the defense forced three turnovers on Kamehameha's first three possessions and allowed just two shot attempts.

"We're the last line in front of the goal," Punahou's Jane Galluzzi said. "We have to stop them."

Punahou's Marlie Long said the team's defense is the key to its offense, and everybody plays a role.

"We work together, talk to each other, communicate," Long said. "It's not just us (Long and Galluzzi)."

Punahou (8-0) scored two goals in the first two minutes to take a 2-0 lead. Back-to-back goals by Kamehameha's Nanea Fujiyama tied it with 2:35 remaining in the first quarter.

"We were really feeling strong and looking strong," Billish-Fetter said.

Kelli Moy scored for Punahou with 1:29 left to make it 3-2 in the first. The Buffanblu opened the second quarter with four straight goals to open up the game. Aisha Price scored twice and Kulani Jenkins and Moy each added a goal.

"We have a lot of depth," said Jenkins, who finished with four goals. "That's a reason why we've been successful. We're able to sub successfully.

"No matter who is in, we're capable of scoring. It means a lot for the future, to keep building."

Iikea Snow and Kehau Ai scored late in the second quarter for Kamehameha (5-3) as the Warriors trailed 7-4 at halftime.

Moy finished with five goals and Price had three for Punahou. Shayna Price and Brailey Hirose-Hulbert each scored twice in the win.

"They (the Warriors) keep getting better," said Punahou goalkeeper Terra Debold, who finished with seven saves. "Our defense was shutting out their best shooters. I have to give a big hand to our defense."

In the third-place game, 'Iolani defeated Pac-Five, 6-5, in double overtime.

Kamehameha and Punahou are headed back to the state tournament. Punahou hasn't been to states in the past two years since winning the first two state titles in 2004 and 2005. Kamehameha didn't qualify for the state tournament last year, but won the state title in 2006.