New York Jets placed offensive lineman Siupeli Malamala, who played high school ball at Kalaheo, on the physically unable to perform list as he continues his recovery from knee surgery. Malamala may return to the active roster after the Jets' sixth game.
Also, former University of Hawaii standout Taase Faumui was given his release by the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday. Faumui missed most of summer camp because of a leg injury. The club has yet to reach a settlement with Faumui, according to his agent, John Wilbur.
"Because Taase was cut while he was injured, the club has to offer an injury settlement," Wilbur said. "Once that matter is completed, Taase is free to join any other team. There's already been interest in him."
Faumui was a fourth-round pick of the Steelers in the 1994 NFL draft. The Farrington High graduate has played sparingly the last three years because of injuries.
"We feel like Taase is better suited for a 4-3 defense," Wilbur said. "Pittsburgh uses a three-man defensive front, so there aren't as many opportunities."
Most of the other players with Hawaii ties survived the first major cuts. Wilbur said that former UH wide receiver Darrick Branch was released last week by the San Francisco 49ers.
Executive director Marcia Klompus learned the news yesterday from NCAA officials. In her eyes, it brings back a measure of respectability to the 51-year-old college all-star football game.
"It's like it was before - one of the premier sporting events in Hawaii," Klompus said. "We're really excited that it's official."
Sanctioning allows active college coaches to be on the sidelines. Coaches for January's game are Notre Dame's Lou Holtz and Florida State's Bobby Bowden.
The five assistants will be the coaches of the year in Divisions I, II and III, as well as University of Hawaii coach Fred vonAppen and Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry.
Another change NCAA sanction brings is the Hula Bowl can only invite seniors. The last sanctioned game was in 1992.
In 1993, former Hula Bowl director Ray Nagel changed the standard East-West format to a game that pitted college all-stars against all-stars from Hawaii.
Later that summer, the UH Foundation gave the rights of the game to Aloha Bowl officials, who returned it to a more traditional format for the 1994 game.
Bowl official Lenny Klompus said he was still negotiating who will pick up the $125,000 sanctioning fee.