There is a part of him that just hasn’t gotten completely over it.
When Marshawn Lynch retired after the 2015 season with the Seattle Seahawks, Naomas Asuega-Fualaau was heartbroken. Then Lynch un-retired and worked out a trade to his hometown team, the Oakland Raiders.
Loyalty is love for Asuega-Fualaau, who grew up in Seattle before moving to Hawaii when he was 8. He may not have forgiven Lynch fully, but the running back is still his favorite athlete of all time. Asuega-Fualaau certainly runs the football with the same verve, power and explosion that earned Lynch the apt nickname “Beast Mode.”
At 5 feet, 11 inches and 210 pounds, Asuega-Fualaau has almost exactly the same proportions as Lynch (5-11, 215).
“If I were to compare the two I’d see two distinct similarities,” Kaimuki coach David Tautofi said. “Their competitive nature in the game, and their ability to run with authority. They are hard-nosed runners that run with a purpose competing for every yard they can get. Like Marshawn, Naomas can create his own holes simply by how hard he runs, and what makes him dangerous is his ability to be elusively quick in small spaces when he needs to be, or he can run right through you if that’s what it takes.”
As a sophomore, then as a junior on the Kaimuki Bulldogs varsity squad, he and his peers in the backfield were ironmen and continue to be. But this is the first time Asuega-Fualaau has truly become the bell-cow ballcarrier.
Running behind a veteran offensive line, he picks his spots without hesitation. His blockers often feel his hand grab the back of their jerseys as he negotiates for optimum opportunity. The teamwork, the chemistry, the chunks. Asuega-Fualaau battered a game Waialua defense for 183 yards and a TD on just 13 carries on Saturday as the visiting Bulldogs hammered the host Bulldogs 61-7.
Asuega-Fualaau has pounded defenses of all levels. He broke an 80-yard TD in a tri-scrimmage against Damien, currently ranked No. 8 in the Star-Advertiser Top 10. As a sophomore, he had a light load, with 42 carries for 198 yards and two TDs, playing behind Ieke Seei-Cleveland and Jordan Solomon. As a junior, he shared the work with Jonah Stephens and rushed for 979 yards and 14 TDs on 165 carries. He also had 10 catches for 179 yards and two more TDs.
This season, Kaimuki is 3-1 overall, 2-1 in OIA Division II. Asuega-Fualaau has rushed 60 times for 546 yards and four TDs with six receptions for 115 yards. At 16.5 touches per game, his chances of taking fewer hits and lasting the entire season are increased. The return of Jayden Maiava, a homegrown product who moved to Las Vegas, then returned this summer, has made Kaimuki a balanced attack with an elite passer in the pocket.
All the while, Asuega-Fualaau has returned to defense as a safety.
“There were times I was going to cringe. Just out of nowhere, a blur of a white jersey was going to hit a (Waialua) player, and he lets up. ” Tautofi said. “He could’ve hurt people.”
During the summer, Tautofi saw him come up with four interceptions during a 7-on-7 game against Kapolei.
The versatility is no surprise. As a Kapahulu Raider (Pop Warner) kid, he played everything from running back to offensive and defensive line to wide receiver. Even back in Seattle, playing for the Benson Bruins, he was a quarterback.
“I was small going up against big guys. I was skinny, really skinny,” said Asuega-Fualaau, who began to fill out quickly. “Everybody was telling me I eat too much.”
It wasn’t until he landed with the Kaau Crater Bulldogs that Asuega-Fualaau found a home at RB. The system, the coaching staff, the terminology were all akin to Kaimuki’s multifaceted attack. Last season, the ’Dogs had the gift of running behind longtime linemen like Sama Paama, now with the Washington Huskies. They reached the state tournament, toppling Kamehameha-Hawaii in the opening round, then falling to KIF champion Kapaa in the D-II semifinals. It was a second road trip in as many weeks.
Adversity is embraced by Asuega-Fualaau and his teammates. Low numbers, heavy minutes, multiple roles. None of it stops the dream.
“My prediction is we’ll make it past OIA to states,” he said. “And win states.”
The closest thing Asuega-Fualaau has to a hobby is working on houses, doing some carpentry work. He is taking a basic engineering class at Kaimuki, which makes his mother, Ranelle, happy. At home, she doesn’t have to repeat herself when it’s time for the four siblings — Naomas is the oldest — to do chores.
“Yes, he’s very disciplined,” she said. “He’s lived and learned from mistakes. He’s been studying hard for his SATs. He’s going to take it again in October.”
Dad (Perry) has been a firm, consistent disciplinarian.
“He used to spank me when I got in trouble,” Asuega-Fualaau said.
The hands-on discipline stopped during middle school. The oldest son started to grow up. Now, he’s one of the many promising leaders for a team that puts action ahead of words.
Speaking of reading, the wordsmith in your household may have noticed that Asuega-Fualaau’s first name is “Samoan” spelled backward.
“I have an uncle with the same name,” the senior said.
No word on whether uncle was also Beast Mode.
NAOMAS ASUEGA-FUALAAU, Kaimuki Size: 5-11, 210 Class: Senior Sports: Football, wrestling, judo
>> History and background of your name: My first name is “Samoan” spelled backwards. I’m named after my uncle.
>> Athlete: Marshawn Lynch. “I run a little bit like him. Could get better. I just run a little bit high because I’m taller than most running backs.”
>> Food at home: Steak and rice. “My dad and I cook it. Medium rare with A1 sauce.”
>> Hobby: “I like doing things with my hands like construction. I would help out with my coach. One time we went out to Ewa to help out.”
>> Movie: “The first “Spider-Man.” I don’t know who was the actor, maybe Tobey Maguire.”
>> TV show: “Rick and Morty,” the first episode.
>> Video game: “I play Fortnite, but not as much anymore. It’s too busy with school and football. Ricky Wells and Blade Kekoa play a lot with me. When we’re together in the same room, we play “Madden.”
>> Teacher: “In elementary, it was Mrs. Silberstein (Palolo). That was my first teacher when I moved over here from Seattle in fourth grade. She was really nice.”
>> What mom (Ranelle) says that you can’t forget?: “Do your chores or clean the bathroom. That’s mostly during the weekends.”
>> What dad (Perry) says that you can’t forget?: “He doesn’t really say much. One thing he tells me all the time is, ‘The world is yours.’ “
>> What your coaches say that you can’t forget?: Coach T (David Tautofi), ever since I moved up from freshman year, he always says, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
>> If you could go into the future or past, where would you go?: “I’d go to my younger years in Seattle, 2010. I’d tell myself, you’re doing good, keep doing yourself. Listen more. Like clean up after yourself. Just these moments I’d have when I was small. One time I dropped all the bird food for my bird. I spilled it in the pantry and just left it. My dad asked me later on, ‘What happened?’ “
