Top offensive right tackle Hauoli Wong told the Rainbows coaching staff that football wasn't fun anymore and has left the team.
"We're not going to spend a lot of time preoccupied with someone who doesn't want to be here," UH head coach Fred vonAppen said.
"You're going to have long days if you stop and quit every time something's not fun. A lot of existence is not exactly fun."
The former local standout, who was unavailable for comment, is the second offensive linemen from Kailua High to leave the program in four months. Projected starting right guard Marcus Malepeai was an academic casualty last spring.
"When you land on the beach, some make it and some don't," vonAppen said of Wong's unexpected departure. "I sense there is something personal going on there because he had no apparent ill-feeling about anything.
"I was disappointed because it was abrupt, but we have to move on. He got a lot of time in the spring. It means we've got to get somebody those turns. To me, it's not front-page news."
Defensive backs coach Trent Miles makes a point to Rainbow players during the first day of fall camp yesterday. Photo by Craig T. Kojima, Star-Bulletin
"Did you see him out here?" UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey said. "Then he's not with us just yet."
Aina was one of several critical academic failures the Rainbows experienced this summer, but is believed to be the only one who has a chance of making it back.
Hawaii also suffered some bumps and bruises during yesterday's two practices with defensive lineman Brian Chapman being the most serious.
He suffered a knee sprain and is out indefinitely. If the ligaments aren't stretched too badly, a player can return from that type of injury in two to four weeks.
"He tweaked a knee and has a muscle strain," vonAppen said. "Morrie Roe has a groin strain. Robbie Robinson has a sore hand, but the casualty list is in reasonable shape so far.
"It's day-to-day for Chapman. We don't know how long he'll be out. It's not good to lose anybody at that position because we're shallow as a mud puddle."
Robinson had his hand wrapped and protected by a soft glove, but the potential starting cornerback said it wouldn't slow him down even if it's broken.
"I don't think it is," Robinson said. "I think it's just sprained."
Chapman wasn't nearly as positive.
"I'm very disappointed," said Chapman, who missed the spring after ankle surgery. "It's aggravating and frustrating. All I can do is hope and pray, and all of that good stuff."
Overall, the first practices in pads since the spring went well, vonAppen said. The 102 players seemed settled in their new military environment that lasts until Aug. 23.
There were plenty of jokes about the food and the lack of free time, but nobody was laughing after Sunday's conditioning drills and yesterday's two practices.
"It's a lot more intense out there," senior cornerback Doe Henderson said. "What's good is we don't have a lot of little problems outside of football like we've had in the past.
"The attitude is different. People don't want to mess up. We're just here to play hard and play football. There's a lot more competition.
"We're competing hard against the offense and they're competing hard against us. We're isolated, so all we can think about is football."
The Rainbows will continue to practice in shells (shoulder pads and shorts) until Thursday's first full-contact workout.