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D-line gets a boost,
O-line takes a hit

Kamakawiwo'ole and LaCount
return for UH's defense, but
the offense loses Fa'avi to injury

The Hawaii football team's defensive line got a boost with the return to practice yesterday of starting end Kila Kamakawiwo'ole and backup tackle Kahai LaCount.

But the offensive line will be without starting center Derek Fa'avi when the Warriors (4-4, 4-3 Western Athletic Conference) leave tomorrow for Friday's game at rival Fresno State (5-3, 2-3), Fa'avi and coach June Jones said.

Kamakawiwo'ole missed the last two games -- at Boise State on Nov. 29 and against Louisiana Tech at Aloha Stadium last Saturday -- because his appendix was removed 12 days ago.

He was initially expected to miss as few as three games and perhaps the rest of the season. But Kamakawiwo'ole began attending practices last week as an observer, and yesterday he worked out with the first defense.

"The muscles are getting healed. I feel like about 50 percent," Kamakawiwo'ole said. "It hurts a little when I run, but it gets better every day. The doctor said I'm doing good for someone who just had his appendix out."

Kamakawiwo'ole said he doesn't have to worry about stitches coming out because they are the kind that melt.

"My recovery has nothing to do with the incision," he said. "It's just the muscles healing."

He said he felt "a little rusty, first day back."

Said Jones: "He's not 100 percent, but he's going to see what he can do."

LaCount had been out for a month with a sprained knee. His return adds much-needed depth at the defensive tackle spot behind Lui Fuga and Matt Faga.

"This is the longest ever I had to sit out," LaCount said. "It feels a little weak, but it's getting stronger with rehab and exercise."

The news isn't as good for UH on the other side of the line. The right-knee injury suffered by Fa'avi in the LaTech game will keep him out of at least Friday's game. He was asked if he was on the travel roster.

"There wouldn't be a point," he said.

"Derek's not going to be able to go," Jones said.

Uriah Moenoa, normally the starting right guard, is a key to the offensive line puzzle. Moenoa did not play last week because of a strained hamstring. He might come back this week; if he does he would likely play center. If Moenoa is not available, starting left guard Samson Satele might play center, with Marques Kaonohi moving in at left guard.

"Uriah's still sore, but he's trying to do what he can do," Jones said.

Meanwhile, linebacker, Ikaika Curnan's ankle and Tanuvasa Moe's hamstring continue to improve. But it is not yet known how much the former starters can contribute at Fresno.

No. 14 to Hall: The uniform shirt quarterback Tim Chang wore in his NCAA-career-yardage-breaking performance Saturday will be sent to the College Football Hall of Fame.

"The Hall of Fame requested the jersey before the Boise State game," UH spokeswoman Lois Manin said.

It will probably be sent to the South Bend, Ind., hall after the season.

Safety dance: Lamar Broadway and Landon Kafentzis both played well at safety Saturday, but the coaches still haven't decided on a starter to go with leading-tackler Leonard Peters.

"They both did very well," defensive backs coach Rich Miano said. "Lamar got the game ball for creating three or four big plays, including the fumble Abraham (Elimimian) recovered for the touchdown."

Broadway will start Friday, as UH has rotated the starters since Lono Manners was lost for the season with a broken ankle.

Lineman commits: Adrian Thomas, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound offensive tackle from Australia, has committed to UH.

Thomas, whose athletic background is mostly in rugby, might enroll in school here in January.

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