Comments on: LIVE BLOG: Signing Day 2017

By: Guy Benjamin

Guy Benjamin — Fri, 03 Feb 2017 21:09:21 +0000

Fred von Appen was not the right coach for Hawaii but his coaching staff made the time commitment and devoted resources to sign as many local boys as possible. In 1998, 16 signed scholarship offers to attend UH. I know because I recruited 15 of them. Every single boy that went on to the mainland was at least offered a scholarship. No one was overlooked. Six out of those 16 ended up not qualifying under NCAA minimum academic requirements or were denied by UH admission office but those 10 went on to become key players in June Jones’ success.

By: Education First

Education First — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 22:25:05 +0000

@alpha, you are not bashing the kids. You are telling the truth. It is an anomaly for any kids with offers from schools withing the Power 5 Conferences to choose Hawaii. And why should they want to?

For everyone that was listed on that long UH list, I am pretty confident most of them wouldn’t have gone to UH is Oregon, UCLA, USC, or Washington came knocking at their door. UH was probably the best and/or only offer.

By: Alpha

Alpha — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 19:26:42 +0000

@philharmonic I’m just being honest when it comes to UH as of late. My original gripe here was with the comments bashing the kids and their college choice and calling this year’s recruiting class as “Not that great” or “was trash”. Thats totally uncalled for just because the home team lost out on some good talent. “Homers” will defend their team thick and thin but not be honest with themselves with the flaws within the program. My comments may seem disrespectful or distasteful to you and some may agree with my comments but it is what it is. One .500 season and a bowl win is a step in the right direction, but it’s not gonna overshadow the last 10yrs. More wins, upgrades to the facilities etc. . . Offer somthing more to these kids other then the comfort of home. UH’S future a still a mystery to some of these kids. IMO, if Rolo keeps the momentum going like this maybe in 4/5 years they’ll be able to keep some big names from leaving. You gotta give a new head coach 3yrs to establish himself.

By: phILHarmonic

phILHarmonic — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 18:33:13 +0000

alpha-
same, same. More spinning. And lets clarify, again. I agree….. that all players that have options do not have allegiance to the U of H but to make a decision that is best for their education, athletic goals and social growth. That horse is dead already.

I am very aware that it is not the 80s or 90s or even 00’s and that our beloved U of H might not be the place where “some” local boys do not want to play. I am talking about the ones that want to and currently are playing for the U of H and how disrespectful and distasteful your comments were.

With regards to naming players, no thank you. Your questions only lead to answers that support your argument, of which I am not at odds with.

I support local boys and the program, on social media and in person. I am a product of UH and its football team. I am a part of the brotherhood. You talk about supporting the local boys and in the same breath bash the program that they have committed their heart and soul. Naive, lack of tact, just plain no care, I dont know. Of course, this is just my take on it and you have yours.
I do appreciate the civil discourse and look forward to talking story in the future. Go Bows.

By: thnk1st

thnk1st — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 06:51:47 +0000

Historically, the all the top recruits from hawaii never stayed home. for those that are asking why so and so wasn’t recruited by Hawaii. Why don’t you list all the schools that these so called under the radar local boys are being recruited too. Ever thought that some or many of the local boys who wasn’t on that list didn’t qualify to play NCAA football! Don’t bash Rolo! he is bringing in more 3 star recruits this year than we have on that top 19 list of hawaii boys.
Also go back and list down all the top 5 hawaii recruits that came to hawaii when Tomey, Wags, and JJ were coaching here. They all had problems convincing the top kids to stay home! I for one feel that Rolo’s recruiting class is one the best!

By: Alpha

Alpha — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 06:02:32 +0000

@philharmonic you forgot K. Timoteo (one of my favs) but anyways. . . Not in any post was I putting down the UH players. It’s The University of Hawaii Football program that needs to step up, needs to compete, show up to mainland camps etc, not the UH players!!! When I go to UH games, it’s not to support the program but to support these kids. It’s the kids that suffered thru the Mcmackin era, Chow Era, hopefully Rolo does turn it around. But as of Feb, 1, 2017. . . University of Hawaii is not the place if you have a better option to choose from. Some people was talking about UH was where all the local Boys wntd to play, maybe 10+ years ago. Times change, Hawaii is pumping out 3,4,5 star recruits now, since you have all the names down, gimmie one name from each decade from the 80’s, 90’s, 00’s that had more offers then let’s say M. Tagovailoa-Amosa or A. Vimahi and stayed to play in hawaii….. times change, Hawaii is becoming a football factory. UH needs to catch up with the rest of the NCAA. . .

By: Eastsidaz

Eastsidaz — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 03:22:00 +0000

Jonah Sokai, Jaymin Sarono, Leonard Lee and Alaka’i Yuen….4 Players who played in the Paradise Bowl and Polynesian Bowl. Not only did those 4 Players play but they stood out and was highlight players in those games. They came out looking better then most D1 offered prospects that was playing in the same game. Seriously overlooked and makes you scratch you’re head. Not only with Hawaii’s tip guns but they produced against some of the nation’s best in that same bowl. Yet those 4 held no offers from Hawaii. I can garanz those 4 athletes could contribute to Hawaii and probably would have stayed home if given the chance…..That’s the sad part. Nobody committed from instate and UH overlooked the kids who showed up in 2 bowls games that highlighted top D1 athletes. Go figure!

By: phILHarmonic

phILHarmonic — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 02:13:39 +0000

Alpha-

You wasn’t praising them, that’s for sure.

No doubt you was trying to defend our local kids against these guys posting very Judgemental posts about this years class of recruits.

Your execution needs work though. Why protect one set of young men but discount the others?

Here are some of your thoughts on UH- Needs to step up game, Lack of tradition, players great or not they would not have gone to UH, UH cant compete, hate on the program, uh dont show up in the mainland to recruit,

I think these bruddahs and ohana would disagree with your take on University of Hawaii Football.

4 Steven Lakalaka RB 5-10 210 Sr. Honolulu Punahou School
5 Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea DL 6-3 240 R-Sr. Honolulu Arizona
9 Devan Stubblefield WR 6-0 190 R-So. Ewa Beach Saint Louis School
10 Makoa Camanse-Stevens WR 6-4 205 Sr. Kailua Western Arizona
12 Keelan Ewaliko WR 5-11 200 R-Jr. Wailuku, Maui Baldwin HS
13 Keala Santiago DB 6-0 200 Fr. Hauula Kahuku HS
21 Damien Packer DB 5-11 210 R-Sr. Puna, Hawaii Keaau HS
24 Samson Anguay WR 5-7 170 Sr. Ewa Beach Campbell HS
25 Austin Borengasser DB 6-2 205 R-Fr. Honolulu Kamehameha Schools
27 Solomon Matautia LB 6-1 230 R-Fr. Ewa Beach Campbell HS
31 Frank Abreu WR 6-0 200 R-Jr. Honolulu Notre Dame College (Ohio)
34 Nic Tom WR 5-9 180 Fr. Honolulu Kaiser
37 Austin Gerard DB 6-1 195 R-Jr. Pearl City College of the Sequoias
41 Noah Borden LB/LS 6-1 215 So. Pearl City Kamehameha Schools
43 Tevarua Eldridge DL 6-2 230 R-So. Wailuku, Maui Baldwin HS
45 John Ursua WR 5-10 165 R-Fr. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Cedar City HS
46 Alex Trifonovitch P 6-1 180 R-Fr. Honolulu Punahou School
47 Kaiwi Chung TE 5-11 240 R-So. Honolulu Kamehameha Schools
48 Ryan Tuiasoa RB 5-11 210 R-Jr. Kailua Weber State
49 Manny Williams DL 6-2 220 R-Fr. Honolulu Farrington HS
51 John Wa’a OL 6-4 315 R-Jr. Hauula Kahuku HS
53 Dayton Furuta LB 5-11 230 R-Fr. Mililani Mililani HS
54 La’akea Look LB 6-0 225 Fr. Waipahu Punahou School
58 Rashaan Falemalu LB 6-1 230 R-So. Hauula Kahuku HS
63 Taaga Tuulima6-2 DL 6-2 280 Fr. Ewa Beach Iolani School
64 Fred Ulu-Perry OL 6-2 305 So. Honolulu UCLA
65 Astoui Eli OL 6-4 315 R-So. Kailua-Kona, Hawaii Kealakehe HS
67 Josh Hauani’o OL 6-4 300 Fr. Kaneohe Iolani School
70 Joey Nu’uanu-Kuhi’iki DL 6-3 260 Fr. Waianae Waianae HS
75 Kory Rasmussen DL 6-2 295 R-Sr. Ewa Beach Colorado
87 Kumoku Noa WR 5-11 175 Fr. Honolulu Kamehameha Schools
88 Kalei Letoto WR 5-10 190 Sr. Honolulu Saint Louis School
88 Tumua Tuinei LB 5-9 210 R-So. Honolulu Punahou
93 Isaac Liva DL 6-5 230 Fr. Mililani Mililani
94 Ka’aumoana Gifford DL 6-4 275 R-So. Waianae Kamehameha Schools
96 Kaimana Padello DL 6-0 205 Fr. Mililani Mililani
99 Zeno Choi DL 6-3 260 So. Honolulu Kaiser HS

By: Alpha

Alpha — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:43:06 +0000

@Jonboy and @bigrealtruth has a point, there is so much talent flying under the radar, J. Jones flew his ass all the way to Samoa to recruit I. Sopoaga. I don’t see C. Faamatau’s name in this article, maybe they should get on him before he chooses Washington. So much kids here man. . . don’t buy into the hype and only aim for 4/5 star cause their going to where 4/5 stars go to. Some other names I didn’t see A. Yuen (moanalua), A. Valledares (mililani), J. Olomua (mililani), F. Alualu (farrington), Sanchez bro’s (farrington), J. Sarono (kapolei), Lee (kapolei) etc… there’s so many…

By: Alpha

Alpha — Thu, 02 Feb 2017 00:34:32 +0000

@philharmonic so stating facts like UH can’t hang with these other schools is bashing? Calling out commenter like @makai for saying. . . Makai February 1, 2017 at 9:18 am
No loss for UH besides Tua this local class wasn’t that great.
Or
PRIDE ROCK February 1, 2017 at 10:09 am
Local class was trash

Just because they didn’t sign with Hawaii? I’m just being straight up. These kids don’t have time to help rebuild UH when they have the choice to be apart of somthing that’s already established. Hawaii is “The Home Team” but it’s not the first choice for the kids of today, especially if pac12, MW, sec, acc, big10 schools are knocking at your door. Like I said, this is not the 90’/00’s. . . Those big schools have easier access to our kids with internet/social media now. And you have to understand that alot of our homegrown talent that played for UH back in the day are now coaching at those very schools, those schools now have insiders at their programs that will help get local kids looks.