Kemoeatu and Sopoaga proud to represent Hawaii

Ma’ake Kemoeatu figured he was done. He’d had a good eight-season run in the NFL, but now he could barely jog.

That was one year ago.

Achilles and shoulder injuries led to inactivity, and inactivity led to the defensive tackle from Kahuku weighing 415 pounds.

"Taking a year off really helped," Kemoeatu said in a phone conversation this week.

He concedes it nearly ended his career. Instead, with four months of hard work he lost 70 pounds and today finds himself in the game of his life, listed as the starting nose tackle for the Baltimore Ravens, the team where it began for him in 2002.

"I thought I was out of football. Now I’m at the Super Bowl," Kemoeatu said. "Sometimes life is unbelievable."

He found "a good diet and good therapy." He stayed at his house in Virginia so he could more easily avoid his favorite carb and fat-heavy local foods here.

"I told myself I had to stay away from Hawaii because I love to eat. It’s hard to eat different when you’re home," he said.

He’d left Baltimore on good terms after playing there four seasons to start his career out of Utah. He counted Ray Lewis, Terrell Suggs and Ed Reed among friends with whom he’d played.

"I called Ray and told him I’m ready to play football again. I’m pretty sure he put in a good word for me. He said, ‘Hey, Kimo, keep working hard,’" Kemoeatu said. "I did have to prove myself again. It was like being an undrafted free agent all over again."

This isn’t his first Super Bowl; he’s seen his brother, Chris Kemoeatu, win two of them with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"Now it’s my turn to play and his turn to come and watch me," Ma’ake said.

Kemoeatu played in 15 regular-season games, and matched his high for the year with five tackles in the AFC championship win against the Patriots. If the Ravens are to stop or slow the 49ers running game today, Kemoeatu will be a big part of it.

ANOTHER PLAYER with strong island ties has a similar task for San Francisco, at the same position. Isaac Sopoaga, who starred at the University of Hawaii in 2002 and 2003, is known for his playful nature. But Sopoaga was all business this week.

"His attitude was like, give me my plays, give me my assignment and I will do my job," said Wayne Lavelle, who is in New Orleans as director of Hawaii 5-0 Sports Media. "He couldn’t wait to get back to practice."

Sopoaga, 32, is in his ninth NFL season, all with the 49ers. He’s been a versatile defensive lineman, and even got some action at fullback in 2011.

"Last year catching a ball on offense was like opening my first Christmas or birthday present. Alex (Smith) throwing me the ball on game day was a great highlight," he said. "This year I didn’t run any plays on offense. But don’t be surprised if it’s this week."

It’s much more likely Sopoaga impacts the game from the defensive side. Maybe not on the stat sheet; he had 30 tackles this season, but his job is more about taking up blockers and clogging the point of attack or collapsing the passing pocket.

"My job is just to beat the guys in front of me. Own it," he said in a phone interview. "I’m having an amazing time here at the Super Bowl, but I just want to prepare mentally and physically for the game. I’m so anxious, so looking forward to it. Nothing special here. Just respecting New Orleans and getting ready for the Super Bowl."

Sopoaga becomes an unrestricted free agent after today’s game. He wants to remain a 49er.

"I hope everyone wants me back for the rest of my career. To be honest, my body feels like I could do this another eight to 10 years," he said. "It’s getting easier and easier every year. It gets easier because you learn how to mentally prepare and train hard and work hard. I take the job seriously."

Sopoaga credits retired 49ers great Jesse Sapolu, a Farrington and UH product, with helping his transition to the NFL.

"I think Isaac is turning out to be a true pro," Sapolu said. "Whenever I talk to the coaches they’re very positive about his work in the weight room, meeting room and on the field. I’m rooting for him to get his ring."

Rich Miano, who recruited Sopoaga to UH from College of the Canyons (Calif.), said he is deserving of another big contract. "He says he feels like he’s 24 again. That’s the kind of mentality he’s always had. A big kid. Such an athlete," the former Warriors assistant coach said.

"KIMO" AND "ICE" consider themselves good friends, and run into each other often on Oahu.

Their connections here remain strong. Whatever happens today, Hawaii will have a Super Bowl champion.

"I give a lot of respect to the people of Hawaii and the support I got while I was there," said Sopoaga, who is originally from American Samoa. "Especially June Jones. I still represent Hawaii. That’s why I’m still rocking UH stuff, everywhere I go."

Kemoeatu is proud to represent Hawaii, too — especially as a Kahuku graduate following his brother and Aaron Francisco to the Super Bowl.

"It’s exciting to take everything in. And I’m excited to go home after the game."

Home to the North Shore, that is. Virginia can wait this time.