Warriors perform for New Zealand crew

Imagine baking cookies for Wally Amos. Or doing a back-flip in front of Gabby Douglas.

Hawaii football players Kamalani Alo, Paipai Falemalu and Benny Fonua could relate to that pressure when they performed the haka for a television crew from New Zealand at the end of Thursday’s practice.

Two crew members play for the All Blacks, New Zealand’s national rugby team that performs a Maori haka as a pre-match ritual.

"I was nervous," said Alo, who will lead the Warriors in the haka before games.

The Warriors’ haka mirrors the one the Kahuku High football team used to perform. It is based on a Maori haka.

Alo, Falemalu and Fonua are Kahuku graduates.

"I knew they were from New Zealand, and this is part of their culture," Alo said. "We wanted to do a good job."

The crew was shooting video of UH’s haka and football practice for "Code," a top-rated sports show on Maori Television.

The crew, in turn, was impressed with the Warriors’ practice methods.

"The whole training is amazing when you look at it," said Awen Guttenbeil, a forward for the All Blacks’ entry in the Rugby League. "It’s dynamic how many players are involved in the squad. The whole organization and movement is unreal."

Richard Kahui, an All Blacks center, acknowledged he is living the dream of many Maori youth.

"I’m fortunate to represent my country and play for the All Blacks," Kahui said. "It was a dream to be on the team. I had a goal post on my front lawn. It’s always something I wanted."

Warriors expand rosters

With this week’s start of the fall semester, the Warriors expanded their roster with these additions: 

» Linebacker Starr Sua-Passi, a Saint Louis School graduate who played at Saint Francis (Pa.) University.

» Running back Jason Muraoka, a Kamehameha Schools graduate.

» Fullback Marcus Langkilde, who transferred from Whittier College.

» Fullback Kaeo Alo, a Kahuku High graduate and the older brother of linebacker Kamalani Alo. He attended a junior college, went on a church mission, and was a walk-on at Utah in 2011.

» Defensive back Chaz Bajet, a Kamehameha Schools graduate who was at Pacific University (Oregon) the past two years.

» Defensive back Matt Mendiola, an Aiea High graduate.

» Kicker Joe Uglietto, who played 11 games as a freshman for Colgate in 2011.

» Kicker CeeJay Santos, a Baldwin High graduate who transferred from Weber State.

» Defensive back Dante Johnson, who was on the spring roster.

» Offensive lineman Tyler Brown, a former UH basketball player who was on the spring roster as a tight end.