The University of Hawaii went a mile away to invest in its football future.

The Rainbow Warriors received a 2022 commitment from Kona Moore, a defensive back from Saint Louis School.

The pledge reinforces the pipeline between UH and the nation’s 30th-ranked prep program. There are eight Saint Louis alumni on the Warriors’ roster, including quarterback Chevan Cordeiro.

“Just being able to play in front of my family,” Moore said of his commitment, which he may put in writing as early as Dec. 15, the first day of the NCAA’s signing period for football.

Moore, who has a 3.3 cumulative grade-point average, also received offers from Navy and Army. Moore said he bonded with the UH coaches during last month’s unofficial visit to the Manoa campus.

“They really believed in me,” Moore said. “For them to see me, and offer me, it means a lot.”

Moore is 6 feet and 180 pounds. He was a shutdown cornerback as a sophomore in 2019. The Crusaders’ 2020 season was canceled because of the pandemic.

“It’s too bad his junior year was wasted,” said Cal Lee, Saint Louis’ defensive coordinator. “We’re happy he’s got another year and can help us.”

Lee said Moore can play any position in the secondary. “He’s good,” Lee said. “He can run. He’s rangy. He’s a good cover guy. And he works hard. He’s got good feet. He pursues well. He has good instincts. He has all the things you need as a DB.”

Moore has drawn comparisons to UH safety Kai Kaneshiro, a Saint Louis graduate. “He’s like Kai, but he’s a little bigger,” Lee said. “But he has that type of attitude. He works very hard. He’s kind of a quiet guy.”

Moore will practice at corner and safety, with his starting spot to be decided after preseason training.

Moore is following the cleat-steps of older brother Kamaehu Moore, a former Saint Louis cornerback now at Riverside City College.

“I got into (football) because of my older brother Kama,” Moore said. “He made me want to play that position when I went to Saint Louis as a freshman.”