As a middle schooler on Kauai, Sione Tongamoa envisioned playing on the turf at Aloha Stadium.

After a circuitous journey, the Cincinnati defensive tackle will get his chance today in the Hawaii Bowl.

“It’s a blessing. … I’d always wanted to play for the (University of) Hawaii Warriors, because that’s all I’d seen back when I was in middle school,” Tongamoa said outside the tunnel leading to Aloha Stadium’s home locker room. “Now that I’m actually back here, this is my first time stepping on the field, it’s a great feeling.”

Born in Samoa, Tongamoa moved to Kauai at age 10 and attended Kapaa Middle School. His family relocated again to California and he developed into a standout defensive lineman at Polytechnic High School in Sun Valley, Calif.

He went on to earn all-conference honors at Merced College and transferred to Cincinnati for his junior season.

Listed second on the depth chart at a defensive tackle spot in the Bearcats’ 4-3 front, Tongamoa enters the Hawaii Bowl matchup with San Diego State second on the team with three sacks among his 18 total tackles.

On a roster constructed primarily with players from the midwest and southeast, Tongamoa — who wears No. 50 — is one of two Cincinnati players with hometowns west of the Rockies.

He said he has relatives in Aiea and Kailua as well as Kauai, Maui and the Big Island and expects to have between 30 and 40 family members in the stands for today’s game. The Bearcats’ invitation to the Hawaii Bowl brought Tongamoa back to the islands for the first time since 2009, his sophomore year of high school.

“When I saw the (bowl) projections I was praying,” Tongamoa said. “I was, ‘man I hope we go to Hawaii.’ I was very excited on the plane all the way here.”

Despite the 9 1/2-hour charter flight from Cincinnati, today’s season finale will have the feel of a home game for Tongamoa.

“Looking at all the trees, the plants, made me want to cry,” he said. “It’s been forever since I’ve been here.”