Peter Manuma says he is stronger, even two inches taller today because of vaifala.
Manuma is on his way to the Polynesian Bowl in January, and if the timing proceeds as expected, it will be the first on-field football game action for the Campbell senior since last season. The game is still expected to be played on Jan. 23, 2021, which would probably be before the start of the Hawaii high school football season.
“It’s truly an honor, a big platform with a lot of big-time players and college players. It’s a game you’ve got to show out and it might be the first (game) of the year, too. They say it’s still to be played Jan. 23 depending on Coronavirus,” the defensive back/linebacker/receiver said.
Campbell coach Darren Johnson is stoked about the opportunities his players have in the offseason.
“Peter is a good kid,” Johnson said.
COVID-19 threw a wrench into all plans for high school activities, but Manuma has been busy working and growing to 6 feet, 1 inch and 176 pounds. The versatile playmaker committed to Hawaii on June 12, turning down an offer from Central Michigan. Rewind back to the 2019 season and he was listed at 5-11, 190.
“I drink a lot of vaifala. My mom (Queenie) makes it for the five of us. We use pineapples and coconut milk, all homemade. I couldn’t make it as good as she does,” Manuma said on Sunday. “She made some just yesterday.”
The fresh pineapple is cut into juicy little chunks rather that blended. After the vaifala is chilled, it is ready to go. It is awesomeness in liquid form.
“The pineapple bits are like boba balls,” Manuma said.
That coconut and pineapple recharge him daily. Every night, Manuma hits the road in Ewa for a four-mile run.
“Kolowaka (Drive), then I come around Mahiko Park, Renton Road, then Pumaeole Street, then my house,” said Manuma, who considers Safeway the portal between Ewa and Ewa Beach.
Workouts have been constant.
“I lift weights at my teammate’s house right across the street, Emjay Arrelano,” he said.
Manuma’s max on the squat rack is 315 pounds. He has topped out at 185 on the bench press. He also has a 3.2 grade-point average and misses in-person classes.
“I prefer paper and pen. I guess we’ve just got to deal with this,” he said.
Since the pandemic began, he learned a new skill, one that former Saint Louis and Oregon great — and current Las Vegas Raiders quarterback — Marcus Mariota subscribes to.
“I learned how to fold a bed sheet. I learned it military style from my girlfriend (Relina Teixeira). She’s in National Guard (Air Force). She works home care, taking care of elderly at their homes,” Manuma said. “I’ve always been like that, but my folding wasn’t nice. Now I have that part out of the way.”
He stays in touch with Hawaii.
“UH hits me up, checks up on me. Coach (Jacob) Yoro, Coach (Victor) Santa Cruz. They tell me about their camps, how far they are from the game. I hope we can see every (home) game. Last year, I went with (teammates) Titus and Tamatoa (Mokiao-Atimalala) to a UH home game.”
The Warriors football season opener is in 12 days.
Punahou was having illegal practices today at Manoa Park around 5pm. HPD was on the scene and forced them to end practice. Most of the kids were wearing Punahou Practice Uniforms and were in pads. There were about 30-40 kids. About an equal number of adults were watching. This is so bad.
First of all there is COVID and rules. This shows that the adults running the practices are above the rules and what they feel like doing is more important than lives. The kids who participated are close to being adults so they should know better. The adults watching, assuming they are the parents should be shame to condone this.
Most people want to get back to their normal lives. But most people follow rules since it protects and saves lives.
I hope the HHSAA, ILH, and Punahou Administration disciplines everyone who was involved.
Hi Karen, thanks for posting this on multiple sites for everyone to see. That was not a Punahou school team but a selective group traveling to a showcase. Wasn’t there but if they were not in groups of fives than they should be educated in order to comply with this mandate. Hoping to teach these young men how to live with Aloha. Let help raise them right, as one community.