Former Baldwin star Maiava ‘excited’ to be a Raider

Maui’s Kaluka Maiava got both his wish and a good payday in signing a $6 million, three-year free-agent contract to play linebacker for the Oakland Raiders on Wednesday.

Maiava, a Baldwin High graduate, said Oakland was the first team to contact his agent when the free-agent signing period began.

"My ears definitely perked up when my agent told me about Oakland being interested," Maiava told a media conference call. "I already came in with high hopes and, fortunately, got a deal done. I’m very excited about it."

Maiava said, "Coming into it, I always grew up a Raiders fan. Being from the islands, we always watched the Raiders and San Fran games, so it was definitely a team I was familiar with."

Maiava was a fourth-round selection of the Cleveland Browns out of USC in 2009. He started 13 games for the Browns last season and played in 50 games over four seasons with Cleveland.

The signing of Maiava came along with the additions of defensive tackle Pat Sims and defensive end Jason Hunter.

In him, Maiava said the Raiders are "getting a tough guy. I pride myself on being one of the tougher players and I’m here to win."

Maiava said, "I’m a hard-nosed guy. I come to work every day and lead by example. I’m not a ‘rah-rah’ guy leading with speeches."