Dan Fotu has been on a few journeys thanks to basketball and an adventurous spirit. No trip was a long as the one he made two weeks ago, flying from Auckland, New Zealand to Suva, Fiji to Honolulu, Hawaii. And, of course, a ride to Laie.
Fotu has been here before, a young pre-teen watching older brother Isaac Fotu play basketball for Hawaii. Dan always loved the game, but had no expectations of playing high school ball in the islands. He jokes that he doesn’t totally miss his mother, Jenny, but he’s been too busy to be homesick. Yet.
Kahuku upset Mount Vernon (N.Y.), De La Salle (Calif.) and Southwind (Tenn.) to finish highest among the “normal” high school teams, and Fotu’s court vision and IQ as a 6-foot-7 center with wing skills was a key factor.
Below, his Q&A via text.
Dan Fotu
Kahuku basketball
6-7, Jr.
Q&A / Favorites
Favorite athlete:
Jabari Parker.
Favorite team:
Milwaukee Bucks.
Favorite food (at home):
Rice
Favorite food (eating out):
KFC.
What can you cook?
Rice and Egg Omelette.
Favorite hobby outside of sports:
Playing the guitar.
Favorite movie:
Finding Dory.
Favorite TV show:
Workaholics
Favorite music artist:
The Jersey Boys.
Favorite teacher (elem through HS):
Mr. Lowe.
Favorite class (elem through HS):
Physical Education.
Favorite place to relax:
The beach.
Favorite motto/scripture:
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get.
What your mom (name) always says that you can’t forget:
Jenny Fotu: Use your manners!!
What your dad (name) always says that you can’t forget:
Manu Fotu: Don’t forget to pray!!
What is the history or background of your first and last name?
Daniel from the Bible; Fotu is my family in Tonga.
How does basketball affect your daily life during the season and offseason?
Keeps me fit, out of trouble, and gives me some life skills on how to work well with others.
Your earliest memories of basketball when you started playing:
Mini ball in elementary school.
What do you like to do — or what’s something you’re good at — that would surprise most people?
Ballroom Dancing.
What are your ultimate dream and bucket list goals?
Sky diving, traveling the world, go to college, and play basketball professionally.
What would change if you were flat broke, had no family and nowhere to live?
Nothing would change.
What would change if you had $1 million?
Support everyone around me financially.
What does it mean to represent Kahuku basketball today?
Representing the entire North Shore community. RR4L!!!
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