Three years into its existence, the Polynesian Bowl all-star game in Hawaii is becoming a hugely important event for prep athletes who haven’t yet made a college commitment.
The week-long showcase provided an important proving ground for Punahou defensive back Kaulana Makaula, who more than held his own both in the game, with an interception in the end zone, and during practices.
His performance caught the eyes of coaches at Southern California, who a week later invited him on an official visit. It is only then that the 6-foot-3 Makaula, who also had offers from Brigham Young and Hawaii, landed the opportunity he desired, when the safety committed to the Trojans with a full scholarship.
“It’s truly a dream come true. It’s a great experience to sign with my fellow classmates and future teammate, Maninoa (Tufono),” Makaula said at Wednesday’s Education 1st signing day event at the Elks Club in Waikiki. “Signing at a school with such prestige like USC is truly amazing and I’m just glad that the man above gave me this opportunity.”
Kamehameha football coach Abu Ma‘afala chats about three Warriors who signed letters of intent during a ceremony in the early morning. Lokahi Pauole signed with UCF, Aka Kapono signed with Navy and Hoku Arias signed with Hawaii.
The Trojans landed three players from the islands. Tufono and Saint Louis defensive lineman Gino Quinones signed with USC in December. The trio will join linebackers Jordan Iosefa (Saint Louis) and Kana’i Mauga (Waianae) and running back Vavae Malepeai (Mililani) to give USC a heavy Hawaii presence.
“The Polynesian culture, we’re strong. We have values that many other cultures don’t have,” Makaula said. “I just think that brings an edge to us. That was a big factor in bringing me there. When I went on my official visit, Jordan Iosefa, Vae Malepeai, guys like that, they just made it feel like home.”
All seven Buffanblu signees participated in Wednesday’ event, including the ones who signed early.
The last two top-10 prospects who were uncommitted from the Hawaii class of 2019 made their decisions on their respective high school campuses.
Kahuku’s Enokk Vimahi, a four-star offensive lineman with more than 25 college offers, chose Ohio State over a final group that included USC, Oklahoma and Notre Dame.
Vimahi hopes to create a new pipeline of top Hawaii players to Columbus, Ohio. He is the second Buckeye from Hawaii, according to the OSU sports information department, joining punter Scott Terna (Punahou, 1993-94).
“We have a saying here, be uncommon,” said Enokk’s father, David Vimahi, an assistant coach at Kahuku. “He could have definitely gone to other schools that may have had a Polynesian pipeline, but he told us he felt comfortable in any environment, regardless of race, color or creed. He liked the idea of academics as well as the football experience Ohio State could provide.”
Enokk Vimahi said the Buckeyes coaches told him that they’re looking at him as a guard and tackle.
“Get in there and bulk up a little bit and be able to maintain at guard and if they think I show enough athleticism, then I could become a tackle,” he said. “I felt like Ohio State had the whole package, both on-the-field performance and off the field. From an educational standpoint, they guarantee you a career.
“There’s a program Urban Meyer (the outgoing Ohio State coach) set up, where they give you experience in your job field with internships and building relationships, and not just in Columbus, but national and international. Some people are going overseas. Ohio State gave me the best set-up for my future.”
In addition, Vimahi hopes he can influence others that going to a place like Ohio State is possible.
“It may give some other players who are iffy about going East or going to the mainland in general the idea that a boy from a small school from the middle of nowhere in Hawaii can make it big,” he said. “I still gotta get in there and grind and make sure we get in contention for the natty (national championship) next year.”
Central Florida continued to strengthen its presence in the islands.
Two months after landing Star-Advertiser offensive player of the year Dillon Gabriel from Mililani, the Knights reeled in Kamehameha offensive lineman Lokahi Pauole.
The 6-foot-4, 295-pound Pauole, who starts for the Kamehameha basketball team, also had offers from Arizona State and six Mountain West schools, including Hawaii.
“Florida’s so far away from home, but it felt like home, especially with Dillon being there. I visited this past weekend. They offered way back, the way recruitment was going I was shying away from them. They picked it up after the early signing day and I just felt the love,” Pauole said.
Pauole considered Air Force, where older brother Nakoa plays football.
The lure of UCF, one of the nation’s top programs, was overwhelming. Pauole becomes the third Hawaii high school graduate and the first from Kamehameha to accept a scholarship to play football for UCF. McKenzie Milton had won 23 straight games as the Knights’ starting QB until his knee injury last fall.
“I plan on playing my freshman year. I talked to the coaches and they see me coming in and ready to block for Dillon because of McKenzie’s injury. They see me playing guard. They like the big, strong guys at guard so they can move people on the run-block,” Pauole said.
In fact, UCF coaches were in town recently and saw Pauole play center for the Warriors’ basketball team. “I scored 17 points against ‘Iolani, so that’s good. I just happened to have a great game,” he said. “We have a young team. It’s been a rocky season, but all the games pretty much have been close. We have a bond. We stick together and our off-the-court stuff helps us during games.”
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HAWAII RECRUITS SIGNING DAY
Note: A few players who signed letters of intent in December didn’t participate in any signing events until today.
BASEBALL
>> Seth Garcia, Waipahu (Linfield College)
>> Jake Tsukada, Punahou (University of Portland)
>> Avery Von Herrmann, Mid-Pacific (St. Olaf College)
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
>> Reilani Roller, Castle (Shoreline College)
>> Keila Tsutsui, Hanalani (Corban University)
BOWLING
>> Chasten Pojas, Leilehua (Newman University)
FOOTBALL
>> Duke Clemens, Punahou (UCLA)
>>Ethan Erickson, Kahuku (Brigham Young)
>> Blake Feigenspan, Punahou (Princeton)
>> Siotame Haunga, St. Francis (Dixie State)
>> Akalea Kapono, Kamehameha (Navy)
>> Sitiveni Kaufusi, Punahou (Navy)
>> Marist Liufau, Punahou (Notre Dame)
>> Kaulana Makaula, Punahou (USC)
>> Lokahi Pauole, Kamehameha (UCF)
>> Justin Pfau, Pearl City (Linfield College)
>> Trent Shiraki, Punahou (Navy)
>> Etuati Storer, Lahainaluna (Chabot College)
>> Maninoa Tufono, Punahou (USC)
>> Ikaika Viela, Lahainaluna (Pacific University)
>> Enokk Vimahi, Kahuku (Ohio State)
MEN’S SOCCER
>> Kekoa Kuloloia, Mililani (Chaminade)
>> Lincoln Oishi, ‘Iolani (Whitworth University)
>> Jacob Prothero, Mililani (Hawaii-Hilo)
WOMEN’S SOCCER
>> Taylor Arakaki, ‘Iolani (Scripps College)
>> Sydney Boyd, Aiea (Waldorf University)
>> Madison Corso, Kaiser (Rochester Institute of Technology)
>> Misha Tasaka, Punahou (University of Puget Sound)
>> Amber Williams, Waipahu (Waldorf University)
SOFTBALL
>> Kobe Brown, Mililani (Everett Community College)
>> Kaitlin Carlos, Mililani (Pacific University)
>> Mikayla Chun, Hawaii Baptist (Pacific Lutheran)
>> Manhattan Fukunaga, Mililani (Hawaii-Hilo)
>> Aulani Garcia, St. Francis (Bellevue College)
>> Kailah Gates-Coyaso, Waianae (Everett College)
>> Rayjah Majit-Gorion, Castle (Mt. Hood College)
>> Chasity McKean, Kapolei (College of Southern Nevada)
