It began with the blowing of the pu, the conch shell sound heralding the start of something special.

Saturday’s enshrinement ceremony for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame’s third class was just that, with the scent of maile lei embracing all who came to the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The Hall grew by five members who became part of the oli inca — name chant — that continues the genealogy of Polynesians in the National Football League. Hawaiian, Samoan and Tongan ancestries were all represented and celebrated, from the late Albert Lolotai, acknowledged as the first Polynesian in the NFL (1945-59) to the recently retired Troy Polamalu (2002-2014).

“We need to know our history, the pioneers who paved the way for the kids to follow,” said inductee Vai Sikahema, the first Tongan to play in the NFL. “This is part of the reason that the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame is so unique. We need to teach our history, otherwise someone like Al Lolotai will be just another Samoan grandfather who passed away (in 1990).

“The Polynesians didn’t have a written history; they passed their history, their genealogy through chants and songs. This hall is allowing us to do that.”

“I did know some of the history, but it was few and far between,” said Polamalu, who played all 12 of his seasons for Pittsburgh. “I grew up in the Junior Seau era. He was a hero to all of us.

“It’s very nice to be able to share this experience with my family. They get to experience their culture.”

NFL Hall of Famer

Tiaina and Luisa Seau, parents of the late San Diego Chargers great, attended the enshrinement weekend, which included an induction dinner Friday night. Junior Seau, part of the inaugural induction class of 2014, became the first Polynesian inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame last year.

Tears flowed as easily as the jokes during the speeches at the Hawaiian Journey Theater. Rockne Freitas, former University of Hawaii vice president and UH-West Oahu chancellor, quipped that when he was told of his selection by committee chair Dick Tomey via a phone call last October, “I was speechless and, for a Hawaiian-Portuguese man, that is hard to do.” Freitas played for the Detroit Lions (1968-77) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1978).

“When I played, they thought I was Mexican. Back in the late ’60s, there was Mel Tom (1967-75), Ray Schoenke (1963-75), Lew Kamanu (67-68) and me. This is awesome, I’m blown away.”

For co-founder Ma’a Tanuvasa, the vision of having a hall dedicated to NFL Polynesians came to life again Saturday.

“To see the faces of what we envisioned be here is what makes it so special,” said the former UH defensive lineman and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos. “Having Rockne selected was one of the happiest days for me. I knew him (while at UH), I knew of the man, the way he has carried himself and all that he has done for the community.”

Posthumous honor

Also inducted was the late Charlie Ane, a two-time Pro Bowl selection who played for the Detroit Lions (1953-59) and won two NFL championships. Daughter Malia spoke of her father’s love of family and football, and how he lived his life as a father, player and coach.

“What he always said was to be a friend to everyone,” she said. “He said everyone has value and should be respected.”

Also recognized were Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year, and Mike Iupati, the inaugural Pro Football Player of the Year. Tomey was given the Founders Award.

“It’s truly an honor, and it’s very special to have this here at the Polynesian Cultural Center,” said Iupati, an offensive lineman for the Arizona Cardinals. “I have history standing next to me. Growing up in American Samoa, the family tie is very strong to our culture. It’s pretty awesome that it carries over to the NFL.”

An estimated 70 players of Polynesian descent are in the NFL, with another 400 estimated to be playing college football at the Division I level.

“The growth is surprising — not unexpected, but surprising in how quickly it has happened in the past few years,” Sikahema, a TV newscaster in Philadelphia, said. “I don’t think any of us expected that someone would win the Heisman this soon (Marcus Mariota in 2014). I figured at some point, yes, but the Heisman usually goes to quarterbacks, which is not the traditional position of Polynesian players. They are on the offensive line, defensive line, linebackers.

“Usually when you’re 6-foot-4, when you’re 18, you’re around 300 pounds. But sooner or later, someone who was 6-4, 200 pounds would come along and Marcus had that skill set.”

Mariota was chosen last year as the inaugural PFHOF College Player of the Year.

The hall is planning to expand its events to include a Poly Bowl, a high school all-star game and a parade in Waikiki.