Wednesday’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser will feature a full-page section on Division I FBS football players from Hawaii who began their seasons last weekend.
A total of 92 players who graduated from Hawaii high schools are on rosters of mainland D-I football teams. While the trio of big name quarterbacks (Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa, Central Florida’s McKenzie Milton, Ole Miss’ Jordan Ta’amu) all dominated in their first games, there were plenty of other standout players from Hawaii as well.
Southern California running back Vavae Malepeai was one of them, scoring his first two collegiate touchdowns in a 43-21 win over UNLV.
News and notes on a bunch of players and teams will be featured in the newspaper.
For now, here’s a look at the entire list of players from Hawaii plus a breakdown of selections by school.
Kahuku and Saint Louis each lead the way with 14 players, followed by Kamehameha with 12 and Punahou with 11. Kapolei (seven), Mililani (five), Maui (four), ‘Iolani (four), Kaiser (three), Kamehameha-Hawaii (three), Leilehua (two), Waianae (two) and Pearl City (two) all have multiple players. Campbell, Farrington, Hilo, Kailua, Kalani, Kamehameha-Maui, Kapaa, Lahainaluna and Nanakuli have one.
AIR FORCE FALCONS
>> Noah Crabbe (Kamehameha ’15) 5-9, 185, Sr, K
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
>> Tua Tagovailoa (Saint Louis ’17) 6-1, 218, So, QB
ARIZONA WILDCATS
>> Michael Eletise (Kaiser ’16) 6-3, 323, So, OL
ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS
>> Joey Bryant (Saint Louis ’09) 6-0, 172, Sr, DB
>> Parker Higgins (Kaiser ’16) 5-11, 225, So, LB
>> Josh Pokraka (Kaiser ’14) 6-0, 223, Sr, TE
>> Tyerell Baldonado-Kaeiopu (KS-Maui ’18) 6-0, 170, Fr, WR
ARMY BLACK KNIGHTS
>> Calen Holt (Kamehameha ’14) 6-0, 230, Sr, RB
BOISE STATE BRONCOS
>> Kekaula Kaniho (Kahuku ’17) 5-10, 183, So, S
>> Kukea Emmsley (Kapolei ’18) 6-5, 229, Fr, DE
>> Dalton Lins (Lahainaluna ’18) 6-1, 282, Fr, OL
BRIGHAM YOUNG U. COUGARS
>> Kamalani Kaluhiokalani (Kamehameha ’14) 6-0, 290, Sr, DL
>> Jared Kapisi (Maui ’14) 6-0, 190, Sr, DB
>> Hirkley Latu (Kahuku ’16) 6-2, 230, Fr, LB
>> Johnny Tapusoa (Kahuku ’13) 5-10, 225, Jr, LB
BUFFALO BULLS
>> Atunaisa Vainikolo (Maui ’15) 6-2, 280, Jr, DL
CALIFORNIA BEARS
>> Semisi Uluave (Punahou ’15) 6-5, 365, Sr, OL
>> Kanawai Noa (Punahou ’15) 6-0, 185, Jr, WR
CENTRAL FLORIDA KNIGHTS
>> McKenzie Milton (Mililani ’16) 5-11, 185, Jr, QB
COLORADO BUFFALOES
>> Jaisen Sanchez (Saint Louis ’14) 6-1, 200, Sr, DB
>> Lyle Tuiloma (Nanakuli ’15) 6-3, 310, Jr, DT
FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS
>> Tainoa Foster (Kamehameha ’16) 6-2, 195, So, LB
>> Netane Muti (Leilehua ’16) 6-3, 310, So, OL
GEORGIA TECH YELLOW JACKETS
>> Mikey Minihan (Saint Louis ’17) 6-3, 275, Fr, OL
KANSAS JAYHAWKS
>> Isi Holani (Hilo ’14) 6-3, 325, Sr, DT
>> Andru Tovi (Mililani ’16) 6-3, 320, Jr, OL
LSU TIGERS
>> Breiden Fehoko (Farrington ’15) 6-4, 291, Jr, DL
NAVY MIDSHIPMEN
>> Keoni-Kordell Makekau (‘Iolani ’16) 5-11, 170, So, SB
>> Alema Kapoi (Kamehameha ’16) 6-0, 268, So, DT
>> Adam Amosa-Tagovailoa (Campbell ’14) 6-2, 278, Sr, OL
NEVADA WOLF PACK
>> Kalei Meyer (Kamehameha ’14) 6-0, 280, Sr, DL
NEVADA-LAS VEGAS REBELS
>> Soli Afalava (Kahuku ’15) 6-2, 205, Jr, DB
>> Luca Vartic (Saint Louis ’16) 6-1, 200, Jr, DB
>> Salanoa-Alo Wily (Kahuku ’15) 6-0, 295, Sr, DL
>> Nathaniel Oishi (‘Iolani ’15) 5-10, 285, Jr, OL
NEW MEXICO LOBOS
>> Alexander Vainikolo (Maui ’16) 5-11, 246, Jr, LB
>> Radson Jang (Kamehameha ’16) 6-1, 242, Fr, OL
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS
>> Chad Hanaoka (‘Iolani ’14) 5-6, 180, Sr, RB
>> Ryan Dominick (Punahou ’17) 5-11, 200, Fr, LB
NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH
>> Alohi Gilman (Kahuku ’15) 5-11, 202, Jr, S
>> Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa (Kapolei ’17), 6-3, 285, So, DL
OLE MISS REBELS
>> Jordan Ta’amu (Pearl City ’15) 6-2, 210, Sr, QB
OREGON DUCKS
>> Matt Mariota (Saint Louis ’15) 6-2, 206, Jr, TE
>> Kaulana Apelu (Kamehameha ’15) 5-10, 204, Sr, LB
>> Isaac Slade-Matautia (Saint Louis ’17) 6-1, 209, Fr, LB
>> Peyton Yanagi (Saint Louis ’18) 5-9, 214, Fr, LS
>> Matt Christman (Punahou ’15) 6-2, 252, Jr, LB
>> Sione Kava (Kalani ’16) 6-6, 270, Jr, DL
>> Adam Stack (Kamehameha ’17) 6-2, 182, So, K
OREGON STATE BEAVERS
>> Moku Watson (Leilehua ’17) 6-2, 181, Fr, DB
>> Alexander Skelton (Punahou ’17) 6-1, 234, Fr, LB
>> Keli’i Montibon (KS-Hawaii ’15) 6-2, 272, So, OL
>> Onesimus Clarke (Waianae ’17) 6-4, 313, Fr, OL
>> Isaiah Tufaga (Saint Louis ’18) 6-0, 207, Fr, LB
>> LaMone Williams (Kahuku ’14) 6-3, 275, Sr, DL
>> Kalani Vakameilalo (Kapolei ’14) 6-3, 322, Sr, DL
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS
>> Andrew Aleki (Kamehameha ’17) 6-3, 230, So, LB
>> Ronley Lakalaka (Punahou ’15) 6-0, 225, Sr, LB
>> Seyddrick Lakalaka (Punahou ’17) 6-1, 220, Fr, LB
>> Alama Uluave (Punahou ’18) 6-2, 315, Fr, OL
SMU MUSTANGS
>> Pono Davis (KS-Hawaii ’15) 6-1, 300, Jr, DT
>> Pakamiaiaea Davis (KS-Hawaii ‘14) 6-0, 235, Sr, DE
STANFORD CARDINAL
>> Jet Toner (Punahou ’16) 6-4, 201, Jr, K
>> Nate Herbig (Saint Louis ’16) 6-4, 334, Jr, OL
USC TROJANS
>> Kana’i Mauga (Waianae ’18) 6-2, 240, Fr, LB
>> Vavae Malepeai (Mililani ’16) 6-0, 215, So, RB
>> Jordan Iosefa (Saint Louis ’16) 6-2, 230, Jr, LB
UTAH UTES
>> Jordan Agasiva (Mililani ’15) 6-3, 320, Sr, OL
>> Bradlee Anae (Kahuku ’16) 6-3, 254, Jr, DE
>> Malik Haynes (Kahuku ’15) 6-2, 253, Jr, DE
>> Keala Santiago (Kahuku ’16) 5-11, 205, Jr, DB
>> Mika Tafua (Kamehameha ’15) 6-3, 250, Fr, DE
>> Mo Unutoa (Kapaa ’17) 6-4, 300, Fr, OL
UTAH STATE AGGIES
>> Siotame Uluave (Kahuku ’17) 6-3, 300, So, OL
>> KJ Uluave (Kahuku ’11) (RS) 6-4, 300, Sr, OL
>> Hale Motu’apuaka (Punahou ’18) 6-2, 300, Fr, DE
UTEP MINERS
>> Jimmy Quemado (Saint Louis ’16) 5-11, 262, Jr, DL
VANDERBILT COMMODORES
>> Feleti Afemui (Maui ’17) 6-3, 230, Fr, LB
>> Sean McMoore (Kapolei ’16) 6-4, 305, So, OL
>> Jonah Buchanan (‘Iolani ’17) 6-4, 285, Fr, DL
VIRGINIA CAVALIERS
>> Aaron Faumui (Kapolei ’18) 6-1, 280, Fr, DL
>> Micah Mariteragi (Kahuku ’18) 6-2, 265, Fr, OL
>> Samson Reed (Kahuku ’18) 6-2, 265, Fr, DL
>> Wayne Taulapapa (Punahou ’18) 5-9, 200, Fr, RB
WASHINGTON HUSKIES
>> Zion Tupuola-Fetui (Pearl City ’18) 6-3, 253, Fr, LB
>> Fatu Sua-Godinet (Kamehameha ’16) 6-0, 186, Jr, WR
WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS
>> Drew Kobayashi (Saint Louis ’16) 6-2, 200, So, WR
>> Kingston Fernandez (Kapolei ’14) 6-2, 280, Sr, DL
>> Kainoa Wilson (Mililani ’15) 5-11, 165, Jr, WR
>> Mitchell Quinn (Saint Louis ’18) 5-11, 160, Fr, WR
>> Christian Mejia (Kailua ’17) 6-3, 245, Fr, DL
WISCONSIN BADGERS
>> Micah Kapoi (Kapolei ’14) 6-3, 308, Sr, OL
Interesting side note.
Kahuku HS = 14
Kahuku kids via ILH = 6
I think the Laie Park big boy Coaches are doing awesome pumping out talent from the community.
Red Raider Nation Repin Big…Thats incredible for a small public school out on the North Shore…Go Big Red…
Imagine being so basic that you think you have to be in your community in order to represent your community.
You too much ALLILH.
We dont preach play for your community, we preach “Stay out of our community”! bwahahahahaha!
Lets say those kids didn’t leave Kahuku…
Kahuku = 20
St. Louis = 13
Punahou = 8
THAT’S ALOT OF RECRUITING LOL!!!!!!!!:)
ALLILH…You are a freaking idiot….freaking cheerleader
SeKEFE you correct, we will all be cheering for the kids when they go to College/Pro’s but only a few will benefit financially from their success and one of them aint You or Me. The ILH will get richer and the OIA get poorer!
Mariota, Tua will make millions and they will give back to their alma mater STL. Imagine if Tua stayed at Cambpell and Mariota grad from Kaimuki/Kalani? Those OIA schools would have benefitted big time. Tua and Mariota are good braddahs and they find other ways to help Hawaii kids but the point is still clear because in 15 yrs when their play days are over they will be at the STL alumni table talking about how to keep STL the #1 football program in Hawaii, even if it means stepping all over the OIA like they been doing the past few years.
Once again…
Kahuku = 20
St. Louis = 13
Punahou = 8
ALLILH why don’t support this kids. It doesn’t matter what school they went…You must have went to sacred heart…enjoy your life ….polo….
Trying to figure out what’s the prob with kids going to ILH schools…is there any harm done when parents choose to pursue opportunities?
It doesn’t matter whether you go to ILH or OIA, big school or little school, all boys/girls or coed, high school or elementary, what matters is that we make sure our children make the most of their education no matter where they attend. ILH provides more opportunities and if circumstances are favorable…its great for the child to get that opportunity. However not every child makes the most of what is offered and that is for those who attend ILH or OIA. I know many ILH kids who work C&C, state jobs, etc. same as OIA (or other public school educated) kids. I also know many OIA (public school educated) kids who hold masters and doctorates or are highly successful in the business world. All the bickering between ILH and OIA is irrelevant if these same kids become productive and contributing members of society (where ever they make and call home).
What many “ILH”haters are accusing is that with all of the benefits and opportunities that the iLH schools have and provide we (public schools) are still able to compete and sometimes even beat them. Many reference the “haves and have nots” but it is more than that, it is about small communities with little resources, working with a DOE that creates and has more red tape than Home Depot, Lowes and City Mill combined, have kids who don’t have access to facilities or nutrition and yet are able to play with the likes of St Louis, Punahou and Kamehameha and even the Bishop Gormans, St John Boscos and other out of state power house teams.
In the end, we should all be cheering on all of these student-athletes and wishing the best for them no matter what they end up doing because it is a reflection on us as a state too. We have kuleana to train them to aim for the stars and beyond and not limit their vision to the task at hand but for the long term future which sports is just one potential vehicle to get them there among many others. We need to keep them grounded at the same time to know the realities of life that they are prepared for if that dream doesn’t work out it is not the end but the beginning of another dream to attain.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this football season thus far because of the competitiveness of the games and it will make all of our teams much better as a whole and that will only open more opportunities for more of our kids to go beyond. I hope that they stick with this and start counting all games on their records. Good luck to all but in the end as it says in the movie Highlander…”THERE CAN ONLY BE ONE” Go Big RED!
I do support the kids….all kids from OIA and the ILH……in fact any local kid. It blows my mind that IDIOTS like some that post here like to preach “play for your community” then when someone goes out to a private school then you cry wolf and say that’s wrong.
Then being the “HUMBLE IDIOTS” you are come here and boast that people are playing in D1 and if they didn’t go to an ILH school you would have more people from your school or community. My point is if you crying for these kids to stay and play at the community public school, then should be the same for college, they should stay and play for the home school of Hawaii.
Unless you agree that sometimes kids and families choose to go to other schools for a better opportunity! Whether it be for sports exposure, academics, etc…
Oh wait I forgot you guys are IDIOTS so nevermind!
bbwwaahhaahhaahhaa
Forgot some players msg me for names @prepworld
Talking about donating to alma maters, the ILH CAN accept donations because they are private institutions, public schools however CANNOT. If an alumnists wants to donate to a public school they can only donate to the OIA itself, and the OIA decides where that money goes. So as far as the ILH getting richer and the OIA getting poorer in terms of donations that seems to be not the case. @Awright!!
SupportEmAll WRONG!! What the heck are you talking about? Why do you think oia teams has funding raising? Because the money goes straight to their athletic department. If someone donate money to a specific oia school, it goes to that school only. They don’t give it to the oia and oia figure out what to do with it. You have no idea what you’re talking about!
Dalton Lins – (Lahainaluna ’18) Boise State University, 6’2 280 lbs., Fr., OL