Former Kahuku star Daniel Fotu has given an oral commitment to play basketball at Saint Mary’s, a source from Hawaii confirmed today.
Last winter, Fotu, a 6-foot-7 forward who lives in New Zealand, enrolled at Kahuku after the start of basketball season, spent the three months of basketball season in Hawaii and led the Red Raiders to the Division I state championship before moving back to New Zealand.
Fotu’s commitment to play for the Gaels was first reported by ESPN, which cited an unnamed source. He still has one season of high school eligibility remaining and is expected to play it in New Zealand.
At Kahuku, Fotu played his junior season for coach Brandyn Akana, a former University of Hawaii assistant and the brother of former UH star Jarinn Akana, who is now an NBA agent.
Fotu is the brother of Isaac Fotu, who starred for the University of Hawaii under former coach Gib Arnold. During a scandal that was investigated by the NCAA, Arnold and Brandyn Akana were relieved of their duties by UH under allegations that documents were altered and improper gifts were given to Isaac Fotu. Both Arnold and Akana were eventually penalized by the NCAA, and Isaac Fotu — after being suspended by UH — left the program.
Saint Mary’s, located in Moraga, Calif., made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in March, losing to Arizona 69-60 after beating VCU 85-77 in the first round.
I heard that Fotu played basketball for Kahuku for 3 months and left. Didnt even attend classes. And Kahuku fans complain about private schools recruiting. At least Punahou kids graduate and get a solid education and opportunities.
@NorthShoreResident
Matsui, is that you?
“At least Punahou kids graduate and get a solid education and opportunities”
I hear they do a real good job of massacring harmless, protected birds on nature preserves, too. Go Puns!
I can’t wait to hear all the crying and boo-hooing when Punahou and the rest of the ILH coaches see how Kahuku reloaded for the 2017-18 season LOL. Gon be priceless!
Simsima and Northshore resident stop Crying the Season have’nt Even started yet and you guys crying like a pitch. you both must still be upset cause the Redraiders kicked your puns Butt last yr.
@Manoa1
Um, you idiot you obviously didnt see the sarcasm in my comment. Read it again.
I would turn the phrase “led the Red Raiders to their first state championship” to “HELPED LEAD the Red Raiders to their first state championship”. Let’s not forget this team’s entire starting 5 was amazing with 3 other D1 athletes to boast.
Well, well, well. Are you saying that Kahuku recruits mercenaries for the sole reason of boosting their sports teams? I thought RRFLifers said only ILH programs did that.
CHECKMATE, I WIN AGAIN. ALL TRY TO BE ME BUT THEY CAN’T. HIP HOP DANCER FOR LIFE!!!
Fotu/Villa/Avea – Name me a trio that had more firepower than that in HI state history?
Edufrt/tomeke/88 ohweeeee my bad usay bball firwpower?
This isn’t recruiting. Fotu wanted to be here to be with family.
Wanted to be here with family…..for 3 months???!!! LOL!!! Besides, his brother Isaac is playing ball overseas and most of his family is in New Zealand. anywaaays!! fails once again. You’re like a guy I work with at dance class who tried my moves …YOU JUST DON’T GET IT AND NEVER WILL.
^^^ For someone who looks at all things Kahuku with vigorous contempt, you sure do find yourself leaving your comments all over the comments section in Kahuku-related articles.
After the season ended, I watched this same Kahuku team without Daniel Fotu and Kesi Ah-Hoy play against all the Hawai’i All-star teams (HI Select, Tes Whitlock’s club team, ILH teams w/out of school talent, etc.) and they were still handling those teams.
Thats’ right, Mr. Okada! Kahuku doesn’t need to recruit not like the ILH, who steals kids from their homes and turns them against their communities. The ILH needs to be stopped and I’m glad people like Mr. Okada understands how evil this whole system is. The ILH needs to be shut down. Rooted not recruited! RRFL!
Something doesn’t add up here, and correct me if I am wrong. He still has 1 year of high eligibility remaining in New Zealand. So that makes him a Junior this school year (2017-2018). So, that would have made him a Sophomore last school year (2016-2017). Doesn’t the OIA have rules about transferring where the student has to sit out a season, because of what was going on with students at Kaiser transferring in and out from private school to public and vice versa.
NoMakeSense: I’m not positive but I believe that rule holds true only for OIA and ILH teams. There in lies the loophole. Kids can come in from other countries and the mainland at any time and play right away. That is why if you look at some private and public schools they have several kids who “come home” to play on these teams.
i seen that to Mr, Okada they handled all the teams with Multiple Allstars on the other teams roster without Fotu and Ahoy.
I just watched Fotu put up 28 points in New Zealand’s version of their boy’s bball championship game couple days ago.
Why UH never even offer him? He would’ve been as successful, if not more so, than Isaac was. I understand the history of the situation with his brother but idk why we couldn’t have just offered the kid and see what happens. How often do we get to recruit Polynesians for UH men’s bball? Not too often. Best of luck to him at St. Mary’s.