Seven years ago, Leo Koloamatangi and Meffy Koloamatangi — brothers and now University of Hawaii football teammates — were at the proverbial fork of private and public roads.
In 2008, Leo, with financial aid and sponsorships, chose to attend Sacred Heart Prep, a private academy in Atherton, Calif. A year later, it was Meffy’s turn, and he made the surprising decision to enroll at Woodside High, a public school in a hard-scrabble area of Redwood City, Calif.
Leo was at a better-funded school, but he had to adjust to an environment where not all bank accounts are created equally.
"The differences I had from the (other) kids were very obvious as soon as I got there," Leo said. "The parking lot, the lifestyles, the extra-curricular activities (were) all different, man."
But football coach Matt Moran served as a father figure to Leo, and the classmates "made sure I felt welcomed. They had open arms."
Meffy, meanwhile, eased into high school. "He was the most popular kid at his school," Leo said, proudly.
Meffy said: "My freshman year, I met a lot of good people. I made my way up."
In 2012, Leo was offered — and accepted — a scholarship offer to be part of Norm Chow’s first recruiting class as UH head coach. Leo was recruited as a tight end with the intent of becoming an offensive lineman. The understanding was that Meffy also would commit to UH a year later.
"When we were growing up, we wanted to go to the same college," Meffy said.
Leo said: "Coming from where we came from, it was like trying to make it out of (Kuhio Park Terrace). We were striving for the same goals — a college education, a scholarship."
Despite attending separate high schools, Leo was able to offer guidance and advice to his younger brother every night at home. But as a freshman at UH, Leo worried about Meffy from afar.
"He was concerned I wouldn’t be doing what I was doing when he was home," Meffy said. "But he kept me straight. He kept calling me every week."
Meffy joined the Rainbow Warriors in July 2013. But for the next two years, Meffy lived in the dorms while Leo rented an off-campus apartment.
"He wanted to give me freedom," Meffy said.
This summer, Meffy moved into Leo’s apartment. "We still fight on and off," Meffy said, smiling, and "for sure, he’s the messier one."
At the end of the 2014 season, Meffy pondered retiring from football to focus on academics. But Leo told Meffy to persevere in football. Meffy, who was added to the rotation at defensive end, has nine tackles this season.
Leo, who can play all the offensive-line positions but center, replaced Ben Clarke at left tackle for the entire second half against UC Davis. He did not allow a sack.
"We definitely made our mistakes," Leo said of their wonder years. "It was not a clear path. Luckily, with the great support system we had back home, we were able find our way out. … Coming out to Hawaii, we’re in paradise."
