A week ago, University of Hawaii weak-side linebacker Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea, who transferred from Arizona, was granted an exemption allowing him to play this football season.

On Monday, he began practicing with the first-team defense.

On Wednesday, the first practice the Rainbow Warriors were in full pads this training camp, Kema-Kaleiwahea created chaos with his pass rushes and coverages during the 11-on-11 session. He appears to be playing with more determination since receiving the waiver.

“They took the chains off the dog and let me play now,” Kema-Kaleiwahea said.

At Arizona, he was on the strong side. At UH, he is considered a box linebacker, aligning in the tackle box near the line of scrimmage. His dual role is to be a stand-up end or to “put my hand in the dirt and rush the quarterback. I’m just trying to be as versatile as I can.”

Kema-Kaleiwahea is not preoccupied with whether he starts or comes off the sideline.

“The depth chart isn’t really true until the first game,” he said. “I just go in when my name is called.”

Castro bulks up for new season

A new year, a new build for outside linebacker Jeremy Castro.

Kevin Clune, last year’s defensive coordinator, set Castro’s ideal playing weight at 230 pounds. After Clune left to coach at Utah State, UH outside linebackers coach Kurt Gouveia suggested that Castro could play at a heavier weight to improve his run defense.

“I gained 20 pounds since spring,” said Castro, who now weighs 250. “Eating protein, being on (strength/conditioning coordinator Gary) Beemer’s weight-lifting program, it got me right.”

Castro has maintained his quickness, enabling him to cover slot receivers.

“Life’s good,” said Castro, who transferred from UCLA two years ago and now bonds with the other UH linebackers. “It’s our LB squad. We’re all — how do you say it? — ohana. We’re all one big ohana.”

Unga gets focused as UH’s No. 1 tight end

Metuisela Unga spent the 2014 season shuffling between defensive end and tight end.

“I always felt like a tight end, even when I played D-line,” Unga said.

Now that he is listed as the No. 1 tight end, Unga said, “I feel better. I can focus a lot more.”

He said he spent the offseason working on his pass routes and catching. “I’ve been trying to catch everything that comes my way,” Unga said.

Still, Unga has not abandoned his aggressiveness. He is a mouthpiece-loosening blocker and tough post-catch runner.

“That’s part of the game,” he said. “You have to play physical. Either get hit or deliver the hit. We’re all out there trying to do our best.”