University of Hawaii multipurpose standout Scott Harding and Oahu high school products Hau’oli Kikaha (Washington) and Marcus Mariota (Oregon) are among the five finalists for the inaugural Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.

Nate Orchard (Utah) and Anu Solomon (Arizona) round out the finalists announced Thursday by the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.

The winner will be announced Dec. 9 and honored during the PFHOF enshrinement weekend, Jan. 23-24 on Oahu.

Harding has served as UH’s punt returner (9.6 yard average, not including a 40-yard TD negated by a roughing penalty) and leads UH with three touchdown catches. He is third on the team in receptions (34) and receiving yardage (457).

But his biggest impact has been at punter; the former Australian Rules football player is adept at rolling to his right or left and kicking with either foot, which has helped cause five opponent fumbles or muffs this season (10 in his career) leading to the Rainbow Warriors recovering the ball.

Eight of Harding’s nation-leading 73 punts have been downed at the opponents’ 1- or 2-yard line, and UH’s net punting of 41.1 yards (due largely to Harding’s 0.41 yards-per-opponent-return average) ranks Hawaii ninth nationally. The Ray Guy Award semifinalist leads the country with 30 punts inside the 20-yard line and is second with 14 within the 10.

Harding was born in Australia, but qualifies for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award via his Tuvaluan ethnicity. Tuvalu is a tiny island nation of around 10,000 people between Hawaii and Australia.

"It’s its own country and I’m proud to be of that heritage," Harding said. "There’s great athletes there. But it’s so remote there’s no chance for them to get a shot (at college sports)."

» Kikaha, an outside linebacker and Kahuku High graduate of Samoan ancestry, leads the nation with 22.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks. He is a semifinalist for the Lombardi and Bednarik awards.

» Mariota, a Saint Louis School graduate of Samoan heritage, leads the nation with a 184.6 quarterback rating and is responsible for 37 touchdowns. The Maxwell Award semifinalist is considered a top contender for the Heisman Trophy.

» Orchard, a defensive end of Samoan ethnicity from Los Angeles, also has 16.5 sacks and is a Lombardi and Bednarik semifinalist.

» Solomon is of Hawaiian ancestry and was born in Honolulu. He is eighth in the FBS with 3,058 passing yards and has 25 passing touchdowns. He led the Wildcats to an upset win over Mariota’s Ducks at Eugene, Oregon’s only loss of the season.