Punahou All-State offensive lineman Semisi Uluave pulled off the surprise of Letter of Intent day, signing with the University of California Wednesday morning at the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance ceremony.

Uluave, a 6-foot-6, 315-pound senior, opted for Cal over several other programs, including Oregon.

"I wanted to make sure that wherever I went, it would be the best fit for me, not only a sense of home, but also the sense of education. That alone speaks for itself. They’re the No. 1 public university in the country, in the world," he said, wearing a mint-condition navy blue Cal hat. 

The multi-talented Laie resident did not mention whether he will go on an two-year LDS mission before attending college. 

Uluave was one of dozens of student-athletes, 71 were listed and 70 attended, who made their way to the Sheraton Waikiki by 6 a.m. 

After each athlete was formally introduced, they signed their letters at 7 a.m., the earliest time permitted (noon EST) on national LOI day. 

Uluave, who is also a gifted singer, will see Buffanblu teammate Kanawai Noa at Berkeley. The record-breaking wide receiver also signed with the Golden Bears. 

Uluave had Oregon, Texas Tech and UCLA on his mind through the process. 

"It’s a new beginning. I’m blessed to have plenty of opportunities. I made my decision Monday morning. I’ve been saying a lot of prayers, a lot of talking with God," he said.  

As expected, highly touted Fred Ulu-Perry of Saint Louis signed with UCLA. 

"This is a blessing," he said. "It’s about working hard every day, trusting God, spending time with your family, working hard in school." 

The long list of signees included several for University of Hawaii’s football program: offensive linemen Jordan Agasiva (Mililani) and Arona Amosa (Campbell), linebacker/safety Solomon Matautia (Campbell) and kicker/punter Alex Trifonovitch (Punahou). Matautia wore a bright kelly green golf shirt with an old-school Rainbow logo. 

Most of the football players at the PIAA event are heading to the continent. That includes a trio heading to national powerhouse Oregon: defensive tackle Rex Manu (Mililani), defensive back/kick returner Dylan Kane (Kamehameha), plus defensive lineman Matthew Mariota (Saint Louis) and linebacker Jaren Zadlo (Mililani). Kane, a two-way playmaker, had a camouflage Oregon hat on. 

"It feels good. I’m preparing for college. I’m ready to play already," said Kane, who committed to the Ducks last summer. "I liked Wisconsin, but it’s been Oregon all the way since then."

Among the other major-college football signees: linebacker Ronley Lakalaka (Punahou), offensive linemen Pesi Savea (Kapolei) and Nathaniel Oishi (‘Iolani) to San Diego State; offensive lineman William Auwae (Kapolei) to Utah State; defensive end Mika Tafua (Kamehameha) to BYU. Savea had to make up ground in order to qualify academically, putting in long hours. The stress was nearly at peak level.  

"It was a 9. Staying up every night, staying at school to do the work," Savea said, noting that other schools wanted him to grayshirt. "I’m going to make sure I continue to work hard in school, make sure my grades are right." 

Two-way lineman Lyle Tuiloma (Nanakuli) committed early last fall to Colorado. 

"Nothing changed. The grind never stops for me. It’s a blessing to be here. It’s a blessing to sign with Colorado," said Tuiloma, who will line up at defensive tackle for the Buffaloes. "It’s a blessing that they made an offer to me. My family has always believed in us being student-athletes. I’ve always made sure I get my work done in school, or I won’t see the field. It’s always been like that with my family." 

A number of Leahi Soccer Club players signed letters to play with various universities. Three signed with Idaho: Megan Goo (‘Iolani), Summer Kaneshiro (‘Iolani) and Kayla Watanabe (Mid-Pacific). Kawai Makue (Kamehameha), Sammy Nishiyama (Punahou) and Hope Tsuneyoshi (Kamehameha) signed with Gonzaga. 

"It was fun. I went in October," Goo said of her visit to the campus at Moscow, Idaho. 

"The campus is nice. I went in November," Kaneshiro said. "It was cold." 

"It’s going to be snowing. I’m going to freeze," Watanabe said. 

Pima College was among many two-year schools to make an impact with local football talent. Five local players inked their futures with the Arizona school. 

Former Farrington two-time scholar-athlete of the year Shawn Lauvao was the guest speaker. Lauvao, who starts at left guard for the Washington Redskins, urged the signees to be opportunistic and approach every challenge with a purpose.

"It’s been 10 years since I’ve been in your shoes. Always embrace the process. There’s going to be times when you don’t feel like doing anything. I wasn’t highly recruited out of high school. Always keep pressing forward. Always have a purpose. The U.S. is a big place. There’s always someone who might be bigger than you, might be stronger than you, might be smarter than you, but if you are willing to put in the work and the time, anything is possible," he said. 

FOOTBALL

* Four-year schools

Army

Radson Jang, Kamehameha, OL

BYU

Mika Tafua, Kamehameha, DE

Cal

Kanawai Noa, Punahou, WR 

Nicky Palleschi, Hawaii Prep, TE/DE

Semisi Uluave, Punahou, OL

Cheyney University (Penn.) 

Charldon Leleo Jr., Saint Louis, OL

Colorado

Lyle Tuiloma, Nanakuli, DT

Dartmouth

Robert Straton, Punahou

Hawaii

Jordan Agasiva, Mililani, OL

Arona Amosa, Campbell, OL

Solomon Matautia, Campbell, S/LB 

Alex Trifonovitch, Punahou, PK/P

Midland (Neb.)

Elvis Calder Lopez, Radford, DB

Dylan Frank, Radford, WR

Minnesota-Crookston

Kolby Castillo, Aiea, OL

Montana State

Shiloh LaBoy, Kalani, DL (via College of the Redwoods)

New Mexico Military Institute

Jordan Taamu, Pearl City, QB

Kordell Va’a, Pearl City, OL/DL 

Northern State (S.D.)

Spencer Johnson, Saint Louis, TE

Oregon

Dylan Kane, Kamehameha, DB/WR

Matthew Mariota, Saint Louis

Rex Manu, Mililani, DT

Jared Zadlo, Mililani, LB

San Diego State

Ronley Lakalaka, Punahou, LB

Nathaniel Oishi, ‘Iolani, OL

Pesi Savea, Kapolei, OL

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

Quinten Galuteria-Soares, Saint Louis, OL

University of St. Mary (Kan.) 

Preston Dudoit, Kalani (football and lacrosse) 

UCLA

Fred Ulu-Perry, Saint Louis, OL 

UNLV

Soli Afalava, Kahuku, LB

Salanoa-Alo Wily, Kahuku, DT

Utah State

William Auwae, Kapolei, OL

Western New Mexico

Bryson Hughes, Kapolei, DB

Western Oregon

Ian Lundberg, Damien, WR

Paiea Robins, Kamehameha, OL

* Two-year schools

Arizona Western

Seufagafaga Luafatasaga, Farrington, DE

DeAnza College (Calif.)

Kone Maluina, Kapolei, LB

Sam Naulu, Kapolei, LB

Golden West College (Calif.) 

Trensten Spragling, Kapolei, RB

Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) 

Daniel Sulunga-Kahaialii, Lahainaluna

Pima College (Ariz.)

John Kauwenaole, Damien, OL/DL

Kapi’ina King, Damien, WR

Leejay Lauti, Leilehua, DB

Ronald Matautia, Kapolei, LB

Kana’i Picanco, Damien, LB/TE

Tyler Junior College (Texas)

Pono Davis, KS-Hawaii, OL/DL

WOMEN’S SOCCER

* Four-year schools

Azusa Pacific

Casey Thompson, Kamehameha

Chaminade

Brandee Lane, Castle

Megan Mararagan, Kalani

Jordan Taboniar, Kamehameha

Concordia University-Portland

Kaylan Braunthal, Mililani

Gabbie Ewing, Hawaii Prep

Caitlin Tatemichi, Roosevelt

Gonzaga

Kawai Makue, Kamehameha

Sammy Nishiyama, Punahou

Hope Tsuneyoshi, Kamehameha

Hawaii

Sarah Lau, Kamehameha

Raisa Strom Okimoto, Aiea

Hawaii Pacific

Noelle Mercado, Kaiser 

Idaho

Megan Goo, ‘Iolani

Summer Kaneshiro, ‘Iolani

Kayla Watanabe, Mid-Pacific

Oregon

Taylor Kuroda, ‘Iolani

Princeton

Claire Kong-Johnson, Punahou

Seattle Pacific

Emma Young, Kamehameha

Texas-San Antonio

Janaye Shepherd, Mid-Pacific

Whittier College (Calif.)

Mikaila Cravalho-Meyers, Kamehameha

* Two-year schools

Peninsula College (Wash.) 

Hoku Afong, Moanalua

Cierra Hamilton, Aiea

Kameryn Jury-Hale, Kamehameha

Bri Vallente, Hawaii Prep

STATE’S TOP 20

Where the top local college football prospects have signed

Source: Schools, players. * Already enrolled.