So what happens if you start a Hall of Fame and it’s obvious to all that you belong in it?

That appeared to be a challenging dilemma for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, which otherwise enjoyed a wildly successful and smooth debut with its inaugural enshrinement activities in January.

Jesse Sapolu was a driving force in establishing the Hall. His experience with the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame as the team’s alumni director gives him invaluable know-how as a member of the PFHOF board of directors.

Considering his four Super Bowl rings and his two Pro Bowl appearances, there’s no doubt the Farrington and University of Hawaii product belongs as an inductee.

But Sapolu and the rest of the board did the right thing while establishing a solid base of credibility when it disallowed immediate entry for the 13-year pro.

"It’s one of those things," Sapolu said. "Sometimes to get something started you make a sacrifice.

"When the Niners asked me to move (from guard to center) I did and as a result became a four-time champion. The board decided that one year is enough to be eligible and I guess I’m going to be on the ballot now."

If he is chosen, Sapolu and the rest of the Class of 2015 joins inaugural 2014 inductees Kurt Gouveia, Olin Kreutz, Kevin Mawae, Ken Niumatalolo, Junior Seau, Jack Thompson and Herman Wedemeyer.

The PFHOF was scheduled to announce Friday that its 2015 Enshrinement Weekend will be Jan. 23 and 24.

This year, the events were dinner at the Hawaii Convention Center on Thursday and ribbon-cutting at the Hall of Fame displays at the Polynesian Cultural Center on Friday.

"(In 2015) we have our big dinner event on Friday (at the Sheraton Waikiki)," Sapolu said. "And with the event at the actual, physical Hall of Fame on a Saturday it gives us a chance to get all the high school kids to be there."

In another good move, Mawae has been added to the selection committee.

Mawae was born in Georgia, grew up in Louisiana and starred at LSU. He is also the first member of the selection committee known mostly as a player.

"When I was asked to do it I thought it was a great honor," the eight-time Pro Bowler said. "There are a lot of Polynesians besides those that are on the West Coast or in the islands.

"This gives me an opportunity to provide input on those, and also I can be less personal on some others. Since I didn’t grow up in Hawaii there won’t be any question of me being swayed by the UH crowd, or being swayed by the Utah crowd. I can just look at the player without emotion."

There is a seemingly endless supply of worthy candidates for the 2015 class, and debates will continue even after the next group of enshrinees is announced Oct. 8. The finalists will be named Sept. 11.

"What it boils down to is what you accomplished in the totality of your career and that you helped shine a positive light on island heritage and communities," Mawae said.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.