Recently retired Pittsburgh Steelers star safety Troy Polamalu heads the list of 25 finalists for the next class of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
Also, 15 of the players, contributors and coaches up for installation in the PFHOF’s third year graduated from Hawaii high schools.
The finalists were chosen from a field of over 200 nominees by a selection committee including Dick Tomey, LaVell Edwards, Ron McBride, Dick Vermiel, Kevin Mawae, Neil Everett, Gil Brandt and Robert Kekaula.
"This is quite a challenge because there are so many great Polynesian players, coaches and contributors that have made an incredible impact on the game of football," said Tomey, the committee chairman.
This year’s inductees will be announced on Oct. 7. They will be honored during the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame enshrinement weekend, to be held at the Hawai’i Convention Center and at the Polynesian Cultural Center, Jan. 29-30.
PLAYERS
Junior Ah You (DE) Arizona State, Pro: CFL & USFL 12 years, Samoan ancestry
Bob Apisa (FB/HB) Michigan State, Pro: NFL (GB) 1 year, Samoan ancestry
Charles "Charlie" Teetai Ane, Jr. (OL) USC, Pro: NFL (DET) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
Herman "Buddy" Piikei Clark (OL) Oregon State, Pro: NFL (CHI) 4 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Riki Morgan Ellison (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SF, OAK) 9 years, Maori ancestry
Rockne Crowningburg Freitas (OL) Oregon State, Pro: NFL (DET, TB) 11 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Ma’ake Tu’amelie Kemoeatu (DT) Utah, Pro: NFL (BAL, CAR, WAS) 11 years, Tongan ancestry
Brandon Manumaleuna (TE) Arizona, Pro: NFL (STL, SD, CHI) 10 years, Samoan ancestry
Chris Naeole (G) Colorado, Pro: NFL (NO, JAX) 11 years, Hawaiian ancestry
Alapati "Al" Noga (DL) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (MIN, WAS, IND) 7 years, Samoan ancestry
Niko Noga (LB) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (AZ, DET) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Troy Polamalu (DB) USC, PRO: NFL (PIT) 12 years, Samoan ancestry
Joe Fagaone Salave’a (DL) Arizona, Pro: NFL (TEN, BAL, SD, WAS) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Dan Saleaumua (DT) Arizona State, Pro: NFL (DET, KC, SEA) 12 years, Samoan ancestry
Vai Sikahema (RB/KR) BYU, Pro: NFL (AZ, GB, PHI) 8 years, Tongan ancestry
Ma’a Tanuvasa (DE) Hawai’i, Pro: NFL (STL, PIT, DEN, SD, ATL) 9 years, Samoan ancestry
Mosiula Mea’alofa "Lofa" Tatupu (LB) USC, Pro: NFL (SEA) 6 years, Samoan ancestry
Manu’ula "Manu" Asovalu Tuiasosopo (DL) UCLA, Pro: NFL (SEA, SF) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Marques Tavita Tuiasosopo (QB) Washington, Pro: NFL (OAK, NYJ) 8 years, Samoan ancestry
Kimo von Oelhoffen (DL) Boise State, Pro: NFL (CIN, PIT, NYJ, PHI) 14 years, Hawaiian ancestry
COACHES AND CONTRIBUTORS
Thomas Ka’auwai Ka’ulukukui, Former Head Coach at University of Hawai’i, Hawaiian ancestry
Cal Lee, Former Head Football Coach, St. Louis High School (HI), Hawaiian ancestry
Albert "Al" Lolotai, First Polynesian to play Professional Football, Samoan ancestry
John Manumaleuna, Southern California Advocate for Polynesian Youth, Samoan ancestry
Charlie Wedemeyer, Former Head Football Coach, Los Gatos High School (CA), Hawaiian ancestry
