When it comes to Waianae, football binds the community

There are two things about Waianae: 1) Football is king, and 2) the fish taste better.

“Waianae people know how to cook,” University of Hawaii defensive end Ka‘au Gifford said.

Defensive lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii offered this: “No sunscreen, that’s why. No sunscreen beaches in Waianae.”

Gifford agreed, saying: “That affects the pH levels in the water. When you pull out the fish, it’s nice and fresh from salt water. It’s not sunscreen salt water.”

They both smiled. Both are key members of the Rainbow Warriors’ defensive line; both are ready to draw the line in the non-sunscreen sand to defend their community.

Gifford, Tulimasealii and tight end Dakota Torres have heard the stereotypes about Waianae.

“They say it’s a lot harder than anywhere else,” Gifford said. “There are a lot of drugs, a lot of homelessness, poverty strung. You see a lot of negatives growing up in Waianae.”

But the three UH players insist the view is different from within.

“If you actually get to know the place, it’s a great place,” Tulimasealii said. “I’m trying to change the stereotypes over there. We want people to know it’s not surrounded by only bad things. There are a lot of good things.”

Gifford said: “If you’re not from there, you assume things. You go there, you see a lot of the negatives — graffiti, beat-down stores and houses. … Inside that beat-up old house is probably the nicest old lady you ever met.”

Torres, who was raised in Waianae, attended Punahou School. He took the long bus ride to Makiki every morning, then enjoyed the car ride with his mother back to the Leeward Coast. They discussed many subjects, although like many Waianae families, football was the favorite topic. His mother is a die-hard fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“We’re born to play football,” Tulimasealii said.

Gifford added, “Football is the heart and soul of the community.”

There was Levi Stanley, a former UH defensive lineman so popular he had his own followers, “Levi’s Kanaka Army.”

There was Kurt Gouveia, now the Warriors’ linebackers coach, who won an Oahu Prep Bowl title as a Waianae High quarterback and safety, a national championship as a Brigham Young linebacker, and two Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins.

Two Nates of different statures —Nate Fletcher and Nate Jackson — made big impacts for the Warriors.

Former UH quarterback Alex Kaloi is a Leilehua High graduate who has a dental practice in Waianae.

“Football is a good thing for the community,” Tulimasealii said.

“I had the best time of my life growing up in Waianae,” Torres said. “It’s really relaxed, country living. … People make it seem like it’s the worst place to be, all hoodlums and stuff. Waianae made me who I am today. People out there are great, the nicest people I know. They’ll give you the shirt off their back. I wouldn’t want to grow up anywhere else.”

Gifford, Tulimasealii and Torres said signing with UH allowed them to play in front of their friends and families. Each has a large family. Each brings about 20 family members to every home game.

“No matter where we go in Hawaii,” Gifford said, “the family will be there.”