Simple isn’t always easy.
After all, to get where Mykah Tuiolemotu is, it takes help, and the willingness to ask for it.
3.7 grade-point average? The Mililani senior stays in class during recess and asks the questions he needs answers to. OIA championships? He works and works to get stronger, and this year, he got lean, dropping 30 pounds to have added quickness and endurance.
Tuiolemotu is a stellar defensive tackle, teaming with Ezra Save up front to set the tone for Mililani’s defensive unit. The Trojans will have the test of their season on Saturday against No. 1 Saint Louis in the Open Division final of the First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA Football State Championships at Aloha Stadium.
Tuiolemotu chatted with Hawaii Prep World on Sunday. He was featured in Tuesday’s Honolulu Star-Advertiser.
Mykah Tuiolemotu
Mililani football
Senior
Favorites / Q&A
Athlete: Aaron Donald. One of the coaches compared me to him. I just notice how he’s small compared to his competitors and he’s really strong, so I knew I had to get really strong.
Food at home: Pizza. DiGiorno. I like the rising crust. I like the Ranch (dressing).
Food eating out: Rigatoni Alfredo.
Hobby: Video games. My favorite is Call of Duty (Black Ops 4).
Movie: Transformers. I like the whole series. I did have the toys, actually. My mom donated it someplace.
TV show: Friends. Or Spongebob Squarepants. My favorite character is Rachel (Jennifer Aniston).
Music artist: Bob Marley popped in my head, but The Green is my favorite. They’re a reggae band. I don’t listen to pump-up music at all.
Teacher: Miss An, Kanoalani Elementary School (Waipio). She was my sixth grade teacher. She’s like a friend. She’s more like a mom type. Tough love. She always backed us up. I felt good about it. She came to my senior night. I was so happy.
GPA: 3.7. If you put your mind to it, like in football, whatever you put your mind to, you get it done. I’ll do my homework at recess if I need to. I get a lot of help from my teachers. I’m not the type to do it by myself. I’ll stay all recess and ask for help.
Current math class: Calculus. I’ve always had to go for help in for math. I love math. I’m not good at it, but I still love it.
Place to relax: Home
Motto/scripture: Proverbs 17:27. Iron sharpens iron.
What mom (Kammie) says: Whatever you do, perfect it. She always says that.
What dad (Sam) says: Don’t be scared of anything. It’s the one thing he has always said, don’t fear anything except the Lord.
What your coaches say: Lead this team. I have my own vision. They have a vision. I feel like I have the same vision as my coaches, so I lead them the best way I can for us to become the state champs.
What is the sport’s effect on your offseason: After season, I usually take a little break. I don’t do any other sports. I’m kind of relaxed, but when I get back, I’m focused.
What elementary and middle schools did you attend: Kindergarten, Kipapa. First grade, Mililani Mauka. Second to sixth, Kanoelani in Waipio. Then I went to (Pearl City) Highlands in seventh and eighth grade. Then we moved to Waipio.
Youth teams: I didn’t play until Mill Vill (JPS). I played one season of basketball, Waikele Wildcats. It was a fun season with all my friends. We didn’t do too good because we played around a lot.
Where have you travelled for sports?
California, that was for JPS. In eighth grade, I traveled to Seattle for the JPS all-star game. Then the Super Lineman trips the past two years. My junior year, we challenged Mater Dei and we beat them. I was so proud and happy. It’s all about technique. We were pretty small compared to anyone. There were judgmental eyes on us, but after we beat them, there was a lot of praise.
What are you good at that might surprise people?
Games, I guess. I like Fortnite, but I’m more of a Call of Duty person. I used to play six hours a day. Not now, I’m too busy with football.
Who’s the best gamer on the team?
Me. I’m more of a shooter person. A lot of guys are more into Madden. I don’t play any sport teams.
Bucket list/travel destinations
Probably Greece and Rome. A lot of our origins come from there, pretty much everything.
What is the history of your name?
My mom chose Mykah because she saw this little Christian boy at Walmart , one time, in Kunia. He did something nice for her, so she asked about his name and he spells it M-Y-K-A-H. She wanted to name me this. My last name is from Samoa. It means “king of the island.”
Any shoutouts?
God is good. To all my brothers on the football team.
Congratulations Mykah! You continue to defy the odds on and off the field. Coming from a God fearing family you know who to put your trust in. May God bless you and guide your future wherever you go .Stay strong, stay safe. ” TROOOJAAAANS”