In order to check off his summer goals, Steven Lakalaka first adjusted his shopping list.
Rice? Washed out.
Soda? Down the drain.
Fruits, chicken and sweet potatoes became staples in the Hawaii running back’s diet, supplemented by meats roommate and Rainbow Warrior defensive lineman Mike Andrade would bring back from the Big Island.
As the pounds disappeared, temptation dissipated as well, and the results of his reformed eating habits were evident when he reported for his third UH training camp at 210 pounds, down from 240 a year ago.
"It’s hard but it’s all in the mind," Lakalaka said. "Once the first week goes by you start getting used to it, and as the days go by you start realizing you’re changing and that makes you want to get better and better."
Lakalaka, who shares an apartment with two linemen in Andrade and Leo Koloamatangi, stuck to his summer regimen of diet and conditioning with an eye toward being lighter on his feet coming out of the UH backfield in the fall.
"I feel a lot quicker, faster and with that I’ve gained confidence in myself," Lakalaka said.
With senior Joey Iosefa held out of Wednesday’s full-speed scrimmage, Lakalaka was first in the running back rotation and picked up 42 yards on 11 carries. UH coach Norm Chow noted his performance after the scrimmage, but when reviewing the footage, Lakalaka focused on areas to improve upon entering the second half of camp.
"I feel like everybody had the adrenaline kicking in and the anxiety and the nervousness," Lakalaka said. "When I was running, I had some mistakes here and there and now, from here on out, I’m trying not to make that same mistake again.
"It was good to go out there and hit people and get hit and get the jitters out of the way."
After redshirting in 2012, Lakalaka started four games last year while Iosefa recovered from a foot injury. Upon Iosefa’s return, Lakalaka’s workload diminished with just four carries in a three-game stretch. But the season finale showed there was room enough for two in the backfield as Lakalaka ran for a season-high 104 yards to go along with Iosefa’s 154 in UH’s win over Army.
Lakalaka, who was second on the team with 468 rushing yards, said the Army game was among the sources of motivation spurring his offseason efforts.
"Especially that I’m from here, that motivated me," he said. "My family motivates me, where I’m from motivates me, my school, my high school. … I want to represent."
Family factored into some of Lakalaka’s weekend workouts, when he’d run on Waikiki or Ala Moana beach with his mother, Serena, and younger brothers Ronley and Seyddrick, both members of the Punahou football team.
Between UH’s fall camp schedule and Punahou’s practices, Lakalaka hasn’t seen much of his brothers lately. But he was on hand to see Ronley, an All-State linebacker, help the Buffanblu capture the Division I state championship last year. Punahou fell just short of the title in Steven’s senior year in 2011, despite his two-touchdown performance against Kahuku.
"For them to go to the state championship and see my brother, it was very emotional," Lakalaka said.
