Fortunately for the University of Hawaii football team, Keoni Bush-Loo is a patient young man.

The standout tight end at Kamehameha has every reason to jump aboard with Nebraska, a Big Ten school that enjoyed observing his talent during a summer football camp. Bush-Loo, a speedy 6-foot-4, 240-pound senior, felt the feeling was mutual.

But rumors about his oral commitment to the Cornhuskers on Monday may have been just that.

"I didn’t commit with Nebraska. I have visits set up in almost every weekend of January," Bush-Loo said Saturday. "But Nebraska is still leading and a couple other schools are starting to offer, so I’m just going to take my visits and see what school best fits me."

Boise State and Cal are showing heavy interest, and Hawaii got back in the picture by offering a scholarship on Tuesday, Kamehameha coach David Stant said. The arrival of Norm Chow as UH’s head coach might have something to do with Bush-Loo’s willingness to stay the course rather than make a commitment with more than two months left before national letter of intent signing day on Feb. 1.

"I think Hawaii has a good chance," Stant said. "You need a tight end with Chow, and his tight ends catch a lot of balls."

Just like that, it’s possible that Chow is righting the recruiting ship for the Warriors. Stant, who played defensive tackle under Bob Wagner from 1987 to ’89, was underwhelmed by recruiting efforts in recent years.

"It’s happened before, where they don’t offer (a scholarship) or build bridges early enough," Stant said. "Maybe Coach Chow can build bridges with the Hawaii community and pound the pavement like when (Dick) Tomey was the head coach," he said. "I tell my kids, ‘Think of where you’ll live the rest of your life.’"

Two years ago, all-state defensive end Beau Yap was set to sign a letter of intent with Baylor when Hawaii swooped in at the last minute. On signing day, Yap chose to play for UH.

While sometimes a late offer goes UH’s way, other athletes leave the islands without getting consistent contact from the Warriors. Kory Rasmussen, Kamehameha’s standout defensive end, orally committed to Colorado this week. Chow’s hiring at UH had no effect on Rasmussen’s decision.

"I have a relationship with the coaches," he said of Colorado.

The Buffaloes, with a recruiting team of former islanders Brian Cabral and Mike Tuiasosopo, had been aware of Rasmussen since visiting the Kamehameha campus during the lineman’s sophomore year. Since his junior season, they established a bond that made Rasmussen practically a lock.

"He tells you what he has to offer as a coach. He’s set for success in what he does," Rasmussen said of Cabral, who was responsible for corralling some top-level recruits last year.

All-state defensive player of the year Juda Parker (Saint Louis), offensive lineman Kaimi Crabb and linebacker J.T. Tuumalo (Punahou) left for CU. Before that, Kahuku standout defensive end B.J. Beatty eluded Hawaii and went to Boulder.

"I’m pretty excited to have it done already," Rasmussen said.

While college coaches on the continent have made regular trips to Kamehameha, Hawaii has not. UH stays in contact with Stant by phone, but hasn’t set foot on campus since spring, he said.

"If the kids feel like they’re not wanted, they won’t go. They have to know they’re wanted and needed," Stant said.

From Kapalama Heights to the North Shore, the blueprint of inviting players to walk on has worked for Hawaii, but the amount of top-tier talent that leaves is substantial.

Chow’s presence is having an effect, at least in the mind of one all-state performer. Punahou running back Steven Lakalaka has given his oral commitment to UCLA.

"I would give it a thought. I’m still committed, but open-minded with my family," Lakalaka said of the Chow hiring. "I guess it does make a difference because he’s a great coach. And, of course, he’s from Punahou."

With Chow, who has coached at every level from Waialua to USC to the Tennessee Titans, UH has an allure that has not been the same in the minds of prospects since June Jones left four years ago. If Chow is willing to take a pay cut to come home and lead UH, maybe the export of gridiron talent will lighten.

The "Poi Report" will be published each Sunday until letter-of-intent signing day on Feb. 1. See www.hawaiiprepworld.com for midweek updates.