It is, as Doris Sullivan has always said, the one moment in a lifetime when it’s absolutely OK to be selfish.
Sullivan, the founder and executive director of the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance has seen thousands of local youth process through the madness and mania of letter-of-intent signing days.
On Wednesday, she saw 56 seniors sign with colleges at the PIAA signing ceremony at the Sheraton Waikiki. Among them was Punahou’s celebrated linebacker, Isaac Savaiinaea, who took some time before donning a sky blue UCLA hat. That brought cheers and applause from many in the massive ballroom.
It wasn’t quite to simple, though.
The 6-foot-3, 235-pound recruit had committed to Stanford last summer, his early decision seemingly rock solid. But after a visit to the campus, beautiful as the surroundings were, Savaiinaea didn’t feel like he fit in. That opened the door for Texas A&M, UCLA and other opportunistic programs.
By Monday, there was a semblance of preference.
"A couple days ago, I finally finalized it in my head. I was studying and it hit me, UCLA is the place for me," he said, adding that he was recruited by former UH and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Jeff Ulbrich.
In addition, Texas A&M assistant coach Brian Polian, who had been recruiting Savaiinaea, went to Nevada to become the head coach.
By Wednesday morning, before the 7 a.m. signing ceremony, he was set on the Bruins and brought his UCLA hat. But he also brought a Texas A&M polo shirt. Just in case.
"I’m feeling good. Feeling relieved. Throughout the process, it was UCLA one day, then Texas A&M the next day. You can’t wait for this thing to be over," he said. "Media, you know, they blow up your phone to the point where you want to throw your phone away."
There was more certainty for most of the young student-athletes in the event. Saint Louis offensive lineman Reeve Koehler sported his maroon Arkansas cap with an ear-to-ear smile. Things got a little murky a few months back when the coaches at his original destination, Tennessee, were let go.
"I saw all the players and how bad they want to win. They’ll do anything for the head coach," Koehler said of his visit to Fayetteville, Ark. "They’re looking at me as a guard and later moving me back to center. It’s going to be a rough change moving there, no rice, with the weather and everything. It should be easy, but I’ll be homesick."
Koehler is quite aware of the recruiting wars of the SEC.
"The two top D-tackles signed with Auburn today and the top player signed with Ole Miss, and they’re both on my side of the conference," Koehler said.
Savaiinaea and Koehler were just two of the football recruits to land on the continent. Once again, many of the state’s top players opted to leave the islands for greener pastures. Among those at the PIAA event were Saint Louis defensive end Kamalei Correa (Boise State), wide receiver Jeremy Tabuyo (Texas A&M) and linebacker Colton Goeas (Kansas), Pac-Five defensive end Titus Failauga (Oregon State), Kailua defensive tackle Jeremiah Taleni (Pitt), Mililani defensive lineman Dakota Turner (San Diego State) and offensive lineman Joey Anglemire (Nevada).
"I wanted to try something different and experience different things. Grow as a person," said Failauga, who turned down offers from Hawaii, Idaho, San Diego State and Utah. "It’s sort of like Hawaii. I felt safe and everybody’s about football. I felt like everybody respected me and supported me."
Taleni might be the first local player to suit up for the Panthers.
"I’m feeling good. I went on my trip and it was beautiful. I’m starting a new trend. I plan on opening doors for players from Hawaii to the East Coast," said Taleni, who had offers from Washington State and UMass before his visit. After returning, Hawaii and Nevada jumped on board. Georgia Tech got in touch at the last minute.
"One of my coaches sent my video to his friend at Pittsburgh and that’s how it all worked out," he said of Pitt assistant coach Inoke Breckterfield. "I wanted to leave anyway, to explore and see the rest of the world. We have a lot of players who have great talent, it’s just the attitude is not there. I feel I made a change at my school, letting people know, take your talent as far as possible. If you stand up and make that change, good things will happen."
At Moanalua, coach Arnold Martinez had a ceremony for heralded defensive tackle Scott Pagano, who signed with Clemson.
Kahuku held a ceremony that featured safety/wide receiver Kawehena Johnson (New Mexico State) and running back Aofaga Wily (Hawaii).
Not all are signed, sealed and delivered, however. At Kealakehe, linebacker Manase Hungalu signed with Oregon State, while running back/nose tackle David Fangupo committed to Hawaii without signing.
Fangupo, a freakish 6-2, 350-pound athlete — he can dunk a basketball with two hands — has not qualified academically yet. Kealakehe coach Sam Papalii said Fangupo has a grade-point average that is "good enough."
"He’ll have the core (classes). He’s a smart kid. He hasn’t taken the SAT," Papalii said.
Hawaii and BYU are heavily interested in Fangupo. BYU assistant coach Steve Kaufusi flew to Hawaii island recently to watch Fangupo at rugby practice.
"David wants to go to UH," Papalii said. "Norm (Chow) offered the scholarship."
Also among the 56 signees were 20 soccer players, including Georgia-bound Summer Burnett of Kamehameha, who received an academic scholarship.
"I’m just really excited right now. I’m going to visit soon. They’re at a very high level in soccer and the style of play they have is similar to my style, possession style," Burnett said.
Moanalua standout Storm Kenui considered going away, but followed her heart to Manoa.
"I had thoughts about going away, but when I was younger, I was really inspired watching the older UH players play. Joelle Sugai. I looked up to Joelle," Kenui said. "I get to play in front of my family. It was a dream of mine."
