Last Updated on October 29, 2026 by Mariah Miranda
Kapena Gushiken is an American professional football player who plays as a cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts in the National Football League (NFL). Born on August 15, 2002, in Pukalani, Hawaii, Gushiken developed his football career at Saddleback College, Washington State University and the University of Mississippi before entering the NFL in 2026.
Beyond his football achievements, Gushiken comes from a family with roots on the Hawaiian island of Maui. His parents are Steven Gushiken and Robin Gushiken, whose names are confirmed in his official Ole Miss football biography. Although his parents have been publicly identified, information about his siblings, girlfriend, wife and possible children remains limited.
Kapena Gushiken’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
As of now, Kapena Gushiken has not publicly confirmed whether he has a girlfriend or is involved in a romantic relationship. There is no reliable, publicly verified information identifying his current partner.
The Indianapolis Colts defensive back has generally maintained a private personal life, with most interviews and media coverage concentrating on his football career, upbringing in Hawaii and journey through several college programs.
During his time at Washington State and Ole Miss, Gushiken occasionally discussed his childhood, friendships and athletic development. However, established reporting has not identified a girlfriend or documented a romantic relationship.
There is also no verified public information confirming that he is engaged or married.
Although his arrival in the NFL has increased public interest in his personal life, his current relationship status remains unknown.
Kapena Gushiken’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
As of now, there is no verified public information confirming that Kapena Gushiken has children. The NFL cornerback has not publicly identified any sons or daughters in official player biographies or reliable interviews.
Most of the information available about his personal life concerns his upbringing in Pukalani, his years at Kamehameha Schools Maui and his progression through college football.
Although Gushiken has acknowledged receiving encouragement from family members and friends during his athletic career, he has not made any widely documented announcements about becoming a father.
Consequently, his parental status remains unconfirmed. The absence of public information should not be interpreted as proof that he does not have children.
Kapena Gushiken’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
Kapena Gushiken’s parents are Steven Gushiken and Robin Gushiken, according to the University of Mississippi’s official football biography.
The university identifies him by his full name, Steven Kapena Gushiken, and confirms that he is the son of Steven and Robin.
Although both parents are publicly named in official college records, relatively little information has been published about their occupations, education or individual roles in his football development.
Kapena Gushiken’s Mother: Robin Gushiken
Kapena Gushiken’s mother is Robin Gushiken, whose identity is confirmed in his official Ole Miss football biography.
Gushiken grew up in Pukalani, a community on the Hawaiian island of Maui, and attended Kamehameha Schools Maui.
His childhood included participation in several sports before he eventually established himself as a promising football player.
He began playing organized football when he was approximately six years old, joining the Kulamalu Cowboys in the Maui Pop Warner League.
These early experiences helped establish the foundation for his later athletic career.
Although Robin is publicly identified as his mother, reliable interviews have not extensively documented her professional background or specific involvement in his youth sports activities.
Gushiken has, however, acknowledged receiving considerable encouragement from relatives and friends in Hawaii.
In an October 2023 interview with The Maui News, he explained that his family and friends back home had contacted him following an impressive performance against UCLA.
His remarks demonstrated that he continued maintaining connections with his home community while pursuing football opportunities on the mainland.
Further details about Robin Gushiken’s private life have not been established in the reliable sources reviewed.
Kapena Gushiken’s Father: Steven Gushiken
Kapena Gushiken’s father is Steven Gushiken, who is named in his son’s official University of Mississippi football biography.
The father and son share the first name Steven, as the Indianapolis Colts player’s full legal name is Steven Kapena Gushiken.
Although Steven’s identity is confirmed, there is limited reliable information about his occupation, educational background or previous involvement in organized sports.
Gushiken’s football development began in Hawaii, where he participated in youth football before attending Kamehameha Schools Maui.
Following high school, he pursued college opportunities outside his home state, beginning at Saddleback College in California.
He later transferred to Washington State University and eventually Ole Miss, creating a football journey that took him across several regions of the United States.
His father is part of his publicly identified immediate family, but established reporting has not provided enough information to describe Steven’s individual contributions to those college decisions.
As a result, further information about his father’s personal and professional life remains private.
Kapena Gushiken’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
As of now, there is no reliable public information confirming whether Kapena Gushiken has brothers or sisters.
His official Ole Miss biography identifies his parents, Steven and Robin Gushiken, but does not provide the names or number of any siblings.
Similarly, his Washington State and Indianapolis Colts player profiles concentrate on his athletic development rather than his extended family relationships.
Therefore, the existence and identities of any siblings remain unconfirmed.
Does Kapena Gushiken Have a Brother?
No brother of Kapena Gushiken has been clearly identified in the reliable public sources reviewed.
Although Gushiken has discussed his friendships with other athletes from Maui, those relationships should not be confused with biological or adoptive siblings.
For example, he has maintained a friendship with Karsyn Pupunu, a former Kamehameha Schools Maui teammate who continued his football career at the University of Hawaii.
The two athletes followed different college football paths but remained connected through their shared hometown experiences.
However, there is no verified information establishing that Pupunu or another publicly mentioned teammate is related to Gushiken.
Does Kapena Gushiken Have a Sister?
There is also no verified public information identifying a sister of Kapena Gushiken.
His available college and NFL biographies do not establish whether he grew up with sisters or was an only child.
Until credible information becomes available, the number and identities of any sisters remain unknown.
Kapena Gushiken’s Early Life and Family Background in Hawaii
Kapena Gushiken was born in Pukalani, Maui, Hawaii, on August 15, 2002.
He grew up in a community with an established youth sports culture and began participating in organized football at approximately six years old.
According to The Maui News, his early football experience came through the Kulamalu Cowboys, a youth team competing in the Maui Pop Warner League.
As he grew older, Gushiken developed an interest in several sports rather than concentrating exclusively on football.
He attended Kamehameha Schools Maui, graduating in 2020.
During high school, he participated in football, basketball, volleyball and track and field.
His versatility helped him develop the speed and coordination that later became important characteristics of his defensive playing style.
Gushiken earned two all-league selections and all-state recognition for his football performances.
Despite his accomplishments, he received limited recruiting interest from major college football programs.
Rather than abandoning his ambition, he decided to pursue opportunities through the junior college system.
Kapena Gushiken’s Journey From Maui to Saddleback College
After graduating from Kamehameha Schools Maui in 2020, Gushiken remained in Hawaii during the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He subsequently moved to California to attend Saddleback College in Mission Viejo.
According to an October 2023 interview with The Maui News, Gushiken initially shared a one-bedroom apartment with three roommates while adjusting to college life.
His early experiences required patience as he worked to establish himself in the football program.
During the 2021 season, he appeared primarily as a rotational defensive back, recording 16 tackles and a team-leading eight passes defended.
He continued developing during the following season, when he recorded 22 tackles, six passes defended, one interception and one forced fumble.
His performances earned first-team All-National Division Southern League recognition.
The improvement attracted attention from Division I college programs, eventually creating an opportunity for him to join Washington State University.
Kapena Gushiken’s College Football Career at Washington State
Kapena Gushiken transferred to Washington State University in January 2023.
He joined the Cougars after developing into a promising defensive back at Saddleback College.
During his first season at Washington State, Gushiken appeared in all 12 games and made five starts.
He finished the 2023 season with 36 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and one interception.
His most memorable performance came against UCLA on October 7, 2023.
During the game, Gushiken intercepted a pass and returned it 88 yards for a touchdown.
The play attracted national attention and represented his first interception return for a touchdown at any level of football.
Following the performance, he told The Maui News that his phone had received numerous messages from relatives, friends and supporters in Hawaii.
He expressed appreciation for the encouragement and explained that the reaction from his home community made the achievement particularly meaningful.
Gushiken continued improving during the 2024 season, starting 11 of Washington State’s 13 games.
He recorded 52 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions and six passes defended.
His performances earned him recognition on the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list.
After the season, Gushiken entered the transfer portal to pursue another opportunity at a major college football program.
Kapena Gushiken’s Transfer to Ole Miss
In January 2025, Kapena Gushiken transferred to the University of Mississippi, commonly known as Ole Miss.
The decision allowed him to compete in the Southeastern Conference after two productive seasons at Washington State.
According to a feature published by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in April 2025, Gushiken selected Ole Miss because he believed the coaching staff and defensive system could help prepare him for professional football.
He joined the Rebels in time for spring practice and began competing for a starting position in the secondary.
During the 2025 season, Gushiken appeared in all 15 games and made 12 starts.
He recorded 55 tackles, six passes defended, one interception and one fumble recovery.
His interception came during the College Football Playoff semifinal against Miami in January 2026.
Although Ole Miss did not advance to the national championship game, Gushiken finished his college career with valuable experience against some of the nation’s strongest football programs.
His development from an overlooked high school prospect to an SEC starting defensive back demonstrated his persistence and willingness to pursue opportunities away from home.
Kapena Gushiken’s NFL Career With the Indianapolis Colts
Kapena Gushiken entered the NFL in 2026 after completing his college football career at Ole Miss.
Although he was not selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent on May 1, 2026.
The opportunity allowed him to participate in an NFL training camp and compete against professional players.
Philadelphia waived Gushiken on August 30, 2026, during the team’s roster adjustments.
However, his NFL opportunity continued when the Indianapolis Colts claimed him off waivers on August 31, 2026.
He joined Indianapolis as a versatile defensive back capable of contributing at cornerback, nickel and safety.
According to the Colts’ official roster, Gushiken wears jersey number 34 and is listed as a cornerback.
He entered the 2026 regular season as a rookie after accumulating experience across three college football programs.
His professional debut marked another important milestone in his journey from youth football in Maui to the NFL.
Kapena Gushiken’s Connection to His Hawaiian Community
Despite pursuing football opportunities across the mainland United States, Kapena Gushiken has maintained connections with his hometown and former teammates in Maui.
His relationship with Karsyn Pupunu is one example of those lasting connections.
The two athletes attended Kamehameha Schools Maui and played football together before joining different college programs.
In October 2024, Maui Now published a feature about their reunion on the football field when Washington State faced the University of Hawaii.
Both players reflected on how unlikely it had once seemed that they would compete against each other at the Division I level.
Gushiken recalled discussing college football opportunities with Pupunu during their high school years.
At the time, neither could have predicted that they would eventually become established players at major college programs.
Their shared experience demonstrates the importance of Gushiken’s community connections throughout his development.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kapena Gushiken’s Family
Who is Kapena Gushiken’s girlfriend?
As of now, Kapena Gushiken has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains unknown.
Is Kapena Gushiken married?
There is no verified public information confirming that Kapena Gushiken is married.
Does Kapena Gushiken have children?
There are no reliable public reports confirming that Kapena Gushiken has any children.
Who is Kapena Gushiken’s mother?
His mother is Robin Gushiken, whose identity is confirmed in the University of Mississippi’s official football biography.
Who is Kapena Gushiken’s father?
His father is Steven Gushiken, who shares his first name with his son.
Does Kapena Gushiken have siblings?
There is no verified public information confirming whether Kapena Gushiken has brothers or sisters.
Does Kapena Gushiken have a brother?
No brother has been identified in the reliable public biographical sources reviewed.
Does Kapena Gushiken have a sister?
No sister has been publicly identified in official college or NFL biographies.
What is Kapena Gushiken’s full name?
His full name is Steven Kapena Gushiken.
When was Kapena Gushiken born?
Kapena Gushiken was born on August 15, 2002.
Where is Kapena Gushiken from?
Kapena Gushiken is from Pukalani, on the Hawaiian island of Maui.
Which high school did Kapena Gushiken attend?
He attended Kamehameha Schools Maui, graduating in 2020.
Which colleges did Kapena Gushiken attend?
He attended Saddleback College from 2021 to 2022, Washington State University from 2023 to 2024 and Ole Miss in 2025.
Was Kapena Gushiken selected in the NFL Draft?
No. Kapena Gushiken entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2026, initially signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Which NFL team does Kapena Gushiken play for?
Kapena Gushiken plays cornerback for the Indianapolis Colts, who claimed him off waivers on August 31, 2026.
Mariah Miranda is a dedicated sports journalist specializing in comprehensive NFL coverage, playbook strategy, and team analytics. From offseason Draft planning and free-agency moves to weekly matchup breakdowns and playoff pushes, she delivers clear, data-driven analysis of every division in the league. Driven by a deep understanding of football tactics and locker-room dynamics, Mariah brings fans closer to the gridiron with sharp commentary and player updates.
