There were times when University of Hawaii tight end Harold Moleni should have quit.

He knocked on doors, worked through weather that ranged from muggy to snowy, and faced countless — although mostly polite — rejections. But he persevered during his two-year mission in Spokane, Wash., for the Mormon church

"It was Jesus for me," Moleni said of his positive outlook. "I guess it’s the same thing now. It’s having a faith that things will get better, and Jesus knows what’s best for me. If this isn’t the path I’m supposed to take, he’ll provide a way for a new and better path."

Moleni, who was raised in Utah, said he was fortunate. His parents and older brothers — members of a Gospel singing group — paid for most of his living expenses during the mission.

The mission "definitely prepared me for life," Moleni said. "In football, you’re constantly trying to get better. Sometimes when you make a lot of mistakes, it’s easy to get down on yourself. You have to stay positive. I’m sure it’s going to be the same way in life with finding a job, a career. You’re going to have times where things aren’t going your way, but you have to stay positive."

UH head coach Norm Chow coached several former missionaries during stints at Brigham Young and Utah.

"They’re older, they’re more mature," Chow said. "They understand what’s important. You don’t have to worry about them getting into trouble or anything like that."

Moleni has balanced school (3.6 grade-point average), family life (he and his wife are parents to a 5-month-old son) and football.

Moleni played every offensive snap in last Saturday’s 27-24 victory over Northern Iowa. He caught a 15-yard scoring pass, and made a key fumble recovery to help the Warriors retain possession on their final drive.

"I think the challenge is to keep your technique when it gets to play 70, 75," Moleni said. "You have to focus on your technique. That something I have to keep working on."

Moleni, a junior, credits his improved play to his surgically repaired right knee. He said he felt discomfort early in the 2013 season.

He played the entire season with what was probably a hyper-extended knee.

During spring ball, Moleni recalled, "I felt like it was getting worse. I finally decided to check it out."

He had an arthroscopic procedure, and was declared fit for the first week of summer training.

Moleni is a mixture of thoughtful serenity and, on the field, fierceness. As part Maori, he leads the pre-game haka. He also has developed into an intense blocker.

"I honestly think I get it from my mom and dad," Moleni said. "My mom is really sweet. My dad is … more rough around the edges. I carry traits from both of them."