The University of Hawaii football team continues to fill its holiday wish list.
A day after receiving a commitment from Sacramento City College linebacker Russell Williams Jr., the Warriors finalized an agreement with Sione Kauhi, a defensive end/tight end.
Kauhi, who is 6 feet 5 and 260 pounds, signed a scholarship agreement with the Warriors. He recently returned from a two-year church mission.
Kauhi will join the Warriors in January, participate in the offseason conditioning program and spring training, and have five years to play four seasons.
"What it came down to is they showed the most interest the quickest," Kauhi said of the Warriors. "I told myself I wanted to play for a team that wanted me to play for them. They showed the most interest. There was the added bonus that my family could watch me. I could be around family."
Kauhi’s father is a Roosevelt High graduate. His mother is from New Zealand. Kauhi, who is not of Samoan ancestry, was named after a family friend. "They couldn’t agree on a name," Kauhi said of his parents’ decision.
Except for two years in Hawaii, Kauhi lived in Oregon through his senior year at Wilsonville High. After his graduation, his family moved back to Hawaii. Six months later, Kauhi embarked on his church mission.
"It was a blessing," he said of his mission in Phoenix. "I got to do some awesome things. It prepared me for the rest of my life."
His missionary work — which involved working, studying or sharing his faith up to 14 hours each weekday — meant putting his football career on hold. He had received offers since his sophomore year at Wilsonville, most notably from Oregon State, Washington State and Utah State.
Kauhi exercised daily during his mission, although he did not participate in football activities.
He completed his mission and returned to Hawaii on Nov. 4. Soon after, Arizona State and UH made offers.
Kauhi remains open to which field to study. He is interested in business, law, sports medicine and physical therapy.
He is visiting friends in Oregon this weekend, then will return to train.
