University of Hawaii officials will announce as early as Tuesday morning the punishment for running back Joey Iosefa following his arrest on suspicion of drunken driving on Sunday morning.
Iosefa was released after posting a $500 bond. He is scheduled to appear in District Court on Nov. 10.
A first-time DUI offense not involving injury, accident or recklessness usually is considered to be a misdemeanor. According to UH’s Code of Conduct for student-athletes, "for alleged violations that involve possible criminal misdemeanors," it is athletic director Ben Jay’s discretion to set the punishment. The code states that written notice of any suspension will be provided by the athletic director within 72 hours after learning of the offense. Jay was notified on Sunday evening.
Jay and coach Norm Chow will meet Tuesday morning. On Sunday morning, Chow traveled to Los Angles to be with his wife, who is recovering from a brain aneurysm at the UCLA Medical Center. Chow was scheduled to return to Honolulu on Monday night.
Based on precedent, Iosefa is expected to face a suspension of about three games.
In 2012, punter Alex Dunnachie and defensive end Alema Tachibana were arrested on suspicion of drunken driving. Both were suspended from the Warriors’ offseason conditioning program.
Dunnachie pleaded guilty to the DUI, and was suspended for the Warriors’ first three games of the 2012 season.
Tachibana entered a not-guilty plea at his July 17, 2012, appearance in District Court. He was held out of games until his case was dismissed on Nov. 23, 2012. By then, he missed 10 of the 12 regular-season games.
Jay acknowledged Iosefa’s situation is different because the arrest occurred during the season.
Iosefa has missed the past five games while recovering from a fracture in his right ankle. Before the arrest, there was a possibility he would have been healthy enough to play in Saturday’s road game against San Diego State.
Running back Steven Lakalaka is recovering from concussion-like symptoms. The other backs are Diocemy Saint Juste, fullback/tight end Justin Vele, and walk-ons Jason Muraoka and Pereese Joas. Dominique Small also could be moved from the scout offense.
The Warriors had video reviews, meetings and conditioning drills on Monday. They are scheduled to practice this morning.
