Hawaii football team learns about leadership in annual Army visit

In a frenetic race against time, several members of the Hawaii football team hit the wall.

As part of a bonding exercise, they were required to construct a bridge, with three planks, from a stump to a wall without touching the ground.

“At first, we’re going through it, and then we hit a wall,” defensive end Jonah Kahahawai-Welch said of the literal and figurative obstacle. “It was hard when too many people were talking at one time. That’s when we had confusion. When we had one or two solid leaders, it moved a lot better. We had Mana (Kaimana Padello) and Zia (Azia Se‘ei). They’re good captains. They’re great guys. They took leadership.”

The group was able to complete the task within the required time.

“We learned going through those obstacle courses how to bond as a team,” Kahahawai-Welch said.

That lesson was part of the curriculum during the Rainbow Warriors’ fourth annual leadership-training program at Schofield Barracks on Saturday. The event, hosted by the Army’s 25th Infantry Division, included problem-solving exercises at obstacle stations, and instruction in rifle marksmanship and electronic skills.

“Personally, I’m honored to be part of this partnership,” UH coach Nick Rolovich said.

“I respect everything the Army does for our country. There was a lot of effort put in on this day for our players. They didn’t have to do it. But they did it because they enjoy being part of our success and part of Hawaii’s success. It was a really exciting day for our players.”

The event happened a day after the Warriors conducted conditioning drills at Queen’s Surf Beach in Waikiki. Saturday’s Schofield challenges involved situations with small and large groups. In one obstacle, LOL was prohibited.

“They had us do drills where the whole team couldn’t talk,” linebacker Jeremiah Pritchard said. “That was hard for me. … There were things that I thought were funny, but I couldn’t laugh out loud, or we’d get penalized. It was hard not to be vocal.”

But Pritchard said the activities fostered different roles.

“There’s a time to lead and a time to follow,” Pritchard said.

Quarterback Cole McDonald said: “There are going to be different people who are going to have to lead depending on the situation. Like last season, different people had to step up in different situations, and we won. That’s what it takes.”

The marksmanship program mirrored the Warriors’ football preparation. The players were taught how to assemble rifles, then they practiced their stances and keys before participating in the simulated-shooting event. Rolovich said the Army’s goal-setting ethos became the Warriors’ motto.

“Last year, we had one team rule, and that’s to always put the mission first,” Rolovich said. “You can trace everything you do to that. You didn’t go to class? Well, that’s not putting the mission first. You didn’t run hard enough? You didn’t touch the line? You missed your assignment? It nearly encompassed our whole way of discipline.”

Padello said his brother, UH running back KK Padello, has reinforced that approach. KK Padello, who is in the Army Reserve, missed the event because he is at a training session for ROTC officer candidates. “He taught me that when somebody is doing something, but not 100 percent, it’s not about putting him down but picking him up or pushing him,” Kaimana Padello said. “Being a leader is setting examples and not just telling people what to do.”

In the marksmanship event, quarterback Justin Uahinui and wideout Jared Smart were 32-for-32 in hitting the target. Uahinui had been to a target range only once previously. “It was all feel,” Uahinui said of his perfect aim.

Smart’s accuracy is in his DNA. His father, Keith Smart, hit the winning basket to help Indiana claim the 1987 NCAA basketball championship.