Sometimes childhood dreams come true — twice.

Defensive back Nalu Emerson, who fulfilled a goal of playing for Kahuku, has signed with the University of Hawaii football team.

“I’ve been a (UH) fan my whole life,” Emerson said.

Emerson, who will graduate from Kahuku in May, is 6 feet 1 and 205 pounds. He was named to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s 2018 All-State third team. He is projected to compete at safety for the Rainbow Warriors as a cover defender who also can mix it up in the tackle box.

“I’m excited to be a Warrior,” Emerson said. “It was a tough road of recruiting for me. But choosing Hawaii was a no-brainer for me. Honestly, I feel they’re on the come-up. I wanted to be a part of it.”

Emerson said he often trains with UH quarterback Cole McDonald during the offseason. They met through Rick Hagedorn, who runs Speedburners, a speed-training program based in Orange County, Calif. McDonald worked out under Hagedorn’s direction during UH’s recent spring break. Last year, Hagedorn was a guest speaker at a Kahuku practice. Tennessee Titans running back Jeremy McNichols and tight end Thomas Duarte, a UCLA alumnus who most recently played in the Alliance of American Football, also train under Hagedorn.

“Cole McDonald is like my older brother,” Emerson said. “Talking with him, and learning about the things they’re trying to establish (at UH) to bring back the old Hawaii, that’s something I want to be a part of.”

Emerson, who was born and reared on the North Shore, said he grew up as an admirer of the Kahuku and UH football programs. He said his family’s house is across the street from Kahuku High. “That was my dream,” Emerson said of being a Red Raider.

Emerson also harbored hopes of following in the cleat steps of former UH players Colt Brennan and Nate Ilaoa. For now, Emerson adheres to McDonald’s mantra. “Keep grinding,” Emerson said. “That’s what motivates me.”