Hawaii football program grabs 2 more local players for offense

The University of Hawaii football team continues to bolster its run-and-shoot offense with the addition of a slotback and offensive lineman.

Slot receiver Keliam Brunn, a 2018 Saint Louis School graduate, and offensive lineman Naia Wong, a Kailua High alumnus, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser they are joining the Rainbow Warriors on Thursday, the first day of training camp.

“I always wanted to play for the home team,” Brunn said. “As a little kid, I always went to the games. … I wanted to make a name for myself where I felt comfortable. The place you mostly feel comfortable is home.”

Brunn also will feel comfortable in the Warriors’ revived run-and-shoot offense. The Crusaders used a similar scheme en route to winning the 2017 state championship. Brunn also will be reunited with UH freshman Chevan Cordeiro, who was the Crusaders’ award-winning quarterback.

Brunn was a starter early in the 2017 season before suffering injuries to an ankle and foot.

Saint Louis coach Cal Lee praised Brunn as a “good player and a good guy.”

Brunn said he is 5 feet 11, 180 pounds, and was last timed running the 40-yard dash in 4.59 seconds.

Of his unique first name, Brunn said: “My dad’s name is Kevin, and he wanted all his kids to have ‘Ke’ in there. My mom loved Liam Neeson, so they decided to make it Keliam.”

Wong has a name for his coach, mentor and training partner.

“Dad.”

With guidance from his father — Hauoli Wong, Kailua High’s head football coach and a former NFL player — Naia Wong has developed into a skilled and agile offensive lineman.

“It’s the home school,” Waimanalo-reared Wong said of his college choice. “It’s always good to be playing at home at the collegiate level.”

Wong was a 5-foot-11 offensive lineman as a Kailua High senior during the 2016 football season. After graduating in May 2017, he enrolled in classes at Windward Community College while figuring out his future plans.

But the hiatus from football was not a break from training. He continued to train with his father. “Oh, yeah, he still works out,” Wong said of his father. “He’s maintained his physique since forever.”

Wong also experienced a growth spurt in the past year. He now is 6 feet 2. “I’m a late bloomer,” said Wong, who now weighs 295.

He said he has benefited from his training as a high school wrestler.

“Definitely,” he said. “It taught me a lot about the center of gravity, and how to use your weight, balance and flexibility. All of that, which transfers over to the field.”

And he continues to absorb tips from his father. Asked to name his father’s most meaningful advice, Wong paused, and then said, “I don’t think there’s a way to pick that. Everything is a valuable lesson to keep.”

Hauoli Wong, like his son, also is a Kailua alumnus. He was an offensive tackle at UH for two years. But he left during training camp in 1996. He transferred to Brigham Young. He was the Miami Dolphins’ seventh-round selection in the 1999 draft.

He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders. As a member of the Raiders’ practice squad, he was invited to attend Super Bowl XXXIII. The Buccaneers defeated the Raiders in that championship game.