Kahuku offensive lineman commits to University of Hawaii

One of the state’s top offensive linemen has pledged to join the University of Hawaii football team in 2020.

“I’m going to stay home,” said Micah Soliai Howlett, a Kahuku senior. “I want to be a part of something special. I want to be one of those local boys who defends ‘Pride Rock.’ ”

Soliai Howlett plans to put his commitment in writing on Dec. 18, the first day of the NCAA’s early signing period for football prospects.

Soliai Howlett received a 3-star rating as an offensive guard from 247Sports. He was named to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser’s 2018 All-State third team.

He initially committed to Arizona State in June, but opted to change his mind. Soliai Howlett, who grew up on the North Shore, said it was a childhood dream to play for the Warriors. Two of his cousins — linebacker Kamalani Alo and defensive lineman Kaeo Alo — were Warriors. He said he knows several current UH players.

“Ever since I was little, I wanted to be a football player,” Soliai Howlett said. “I couldn’t play when I was little because my grandpa didn’t think football was safe. One day, I showed up for the tryouts at Kamehameha. I’ve been playing ever since then.”

Soliai Howlett attended Kamehameha from the fourth through 10th grades. After that, he transferred to Kahuku.

He said he initially wanted to be a defensive end, but soon realized his build was better suited for the offensive line. He said he is 6 feet 4 and 295 pounds.

He said he attended a spring practice in April and participated in the Rainbow Warrior Elite Football Camp in June. “I went to the last open practice at the end of summer with some friends from Kahuku,” he said “I watched some of the Kahuku boys and local boys on the team.”

In the week leading to Saturday’s game against Oregon State, Soliai Howlett was poised to accept UH’s scholarship offer.

“My family was comfortable with UH and the idea of me going to school there,” he said. “My mom lives in Palolo. It’s not too far from UH.”

On pledging to UH, where he plans to study kinesiology, Soliai Howlett said: “It’s a huge blessing from God for my family and I.”