HAWAII GROWN REPORT
Hawaii visit lets Kapaa’s Naihe realize his dream
Last Saturday was the culmination of a dream that Lawaia Naihe (Kapaa '00) never expected to come true.
Naihe started at left guard for Weber State against Hawaii, playing football in his home state for the first time in nine years.
His steady blocking helped the Wildcats offense score 17 first-half points, and even though the Warriors came back for a 36-17 victory, the loss wasn't on his mind after the game.
"Just to come back to Hawaii and play has been my dream," a wide-eyed Naihe said. "I didn't get to play for (Hawaii), but I got to play with them."
It was hard for Naihe to envision football after high school. After all, he spent most of his time working inside Kauai Community Correctional Center.
As time wore on, and he transformed from a teenager to an adult, football slowly crept its way back into his mind.
"I worked at the jail for a couple of years and was like, I love the game, I have to go back," Naihe said.
Four years after graduating high school, with wife Tiffany by his side, he played at Montana-Western for a season. He bounced around schools, playing a season at Orange Coast (Calif.) Junior College, before settling in at Weber State.
Now a father of two, Naihe said his experience at Aloha Stadium on Saturday was a memory he'll never forget and a reminder that he's turned his life around.
"After high school, I didn't really have my head on straight," Naihe said. "(Saturday night) my parents had front seats behind (our bench) and my wife is coming out to the hotel (tomorrow). Like I said, this was my dream."
» Oregon sophomore quarterback Jeremiah Masoli (Saint Louis '06) completed seven of 11 passes for 67 yards in a 66-24 win over Utah State.
» Washington junior defensive end Daniel Teo-Nesheim (Hawaii Prep '05) had seven tackles and freshman Kalani Aldrich (Kamehameha-Hawaii '07) recorded the first tackle of his career in a 28-27 loss to Brigham Young. Cougars senior C.J. Santiago (Saint Louis '04) punted twice for 55 yards and junior defensive tackle Ian Dulan (Kamehameha-Hawaii '06) had a sack.
» Mt. San Antonio College (Calif.) sophomore wide receiver Gabe Tuata (Kealakehe '07) had five receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown to lead the Mounties to a 46-20 win over Pasadena City.
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
» Washington junior libero
Tamari Miyashiro (Kalani '05) was named MVP of the Northwest Challenge after leading the Huskies to sweeps of Gonzaga, Boise State and Portland State. Miyashiro had 35 digs and eight assists in three matches and is averaging more than 10 digs a match in UW's first five of the season.
» Oregon State junior setter Camilla Ah-Hoy (Kahuku '06) had 113 assists, six kills, 21 digs and two aces to help the Beavers finish 1-2 in the ASICS Classic last weekend.
» San Jose State sophomore outside hitter Brianna Amian (Moanalua '07) tallied 36 kills, 17 digs and two aces in three matches in the Sacramento State Invitational. Junior defensive specialist Kristal Tsukano (Kamehameha '06) added 55 digs, 12 assists and two aces as the Spartans finished 2-1.
» Nevada sophomore Kylie Harrington (Saint Francis '07) finished second on the team with 12 kills and had eight digs in a four-set victory over Seattle University. Freshman setter Tatiana Santiago (Kamehameha '08) saw action in the second set.
» South Dakota State went winless in five matches in Florida last weekend, but sophomore setter Melia Iwamoto (Kalani '07) averaged more than seven assists a game and totaled 13 kills and 28 digs.
» Hofstra assistant coach Shellane Ogoshi (Roosevelt '04) is one of two volleyball players, and 20 athletes in general, who will have their jersey numbers retired. Ogoshi holds school records in digs (1,660) and assists (4,597) and was the 2005 Colonial Athletic Conference Player of the Year, '04 CAA Rookie of the Year and a two-time CAA Setter of the Year. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston and NBA veteran Craig "Speedy" Claxton are notable Pride athletes also having their numbers retired.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
» Azusa Pacific senior
Sarah Yoro (Mililani '05) scored two goals on three shots and added an assist in the Cougars' 5-0 victory over Ohio Dominican. Younger sister
Stephanie (Mililani '07), a transfer from Fresno State, scored a goal the next day on her only shot in an 8-1 victory against Bethel College (Tenn.)