Memories live on WAILUKU >> They were among Maui's best athletes and became a part of the University of Hawaii's football history, playing on the legendary Rainbows team that defeated Nebraska 6-0 in 1955.
for football alumni
now living on Maui
Opportunities flourish long after
a 1955 win over NebraskaBy Gary T. Kubota
gkubota@starbulletin.comA number of them turned toward public service, such as former Maui Deputy Parks Director Kenji Kawaguchi and retired Lahainaluna High School Principal Henry "Bruno" Ariyoshi.
Today, Maui County residents who played football for the UH will be recognized before the opening kickoff at the Montana-Hawaii game on the Valley Isle.
"I thought it was a great experience for me," said Ariyoshi, 67, a former state Principal of the Year and recipient of a Milken Family Foundation National Educators Award. "It gave me a lot of opportunity to meet people. I made a lot of friends."
Sports also provided them an opportunity to receive an education. Many had partial scholarships and worked part time. Some were the first in their family to graduate from a university.
Ariyoshi, who played guard and tackle during the 1952-55 seasons, said the university paid for his tuition and provided living quarters, but he earned money to pay for his books and board. He worked as a pot washer at a high school, a security guard at dances and doing clerical work at the College of Agriculture.
Ariyoshi, a Baldwin High School graduate, said in the mid-1950s he weighed about 185 pounds and was 5 feet 9 inches tall -- considerably smaller than the standard physical requirements of a college football player today.
Hawaii football players were accustomed to taking a beating at the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers and suffered a "50-nothing" defeat in 1954 in Hawaii, he recalled.
But the fortunes of Hawaii college football were to change dramatically when the Rainbows, now called the Warriors, played their first game of the 1955 season in Nebraska.
Ariyoshi said Hawaii's strategy was to throw nine Hawaii players on the line to stop the running attack and dare Nebraska to throw the football.
"I guess they didn't expect that," Ariyoshi said. "They were primarily a running team."
Louis Silva, 65, who played at center, remembered Hawaii ran the ball successfully five times in a row and was near the goal line.
Silva, a St. Anthony High School graduate, said Hawaii fullback Hardy Freitas dove over the middle to score the only touchdown of the game.
"I can relive that play over and over again," said Silva, a retired state marine patrol officer.
"All I did was shoot forward and hang on. When I went over the line of scrimmage, I looked up and could see the fullback over me. I knew he was in the end zone."
Chris Mamiya, who played halfback from 1952-1956, recalled the accommodations were cramped at the dormitories with bunk beds and four players to a room. But there was a bond among Maui players.
"I enjoyed it because the football players were all nice guys," said Mamiya, 67, a retired Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel.
Kawaguchi, 73, who played as a defensive safety and substitute running back from 1946 to 1950, said the kindness of many who helped him as a college student taught him the importance of community service.
Kawaguchi, who returned to the Valley Isle after graduation, worked in a number of supervisory roles in recreation for Maui County. He also officiated at football, baseball, track and basketball games.
A Lahainaluna High School graduate, Kawaguchi retired as the deputy director of the county Department of Parks and Recreation in 1989.
"Once I came out of the university, I felt it was my turn to give back," he said.
Other former UH football players living in Maui County include Deputy Police Chief Kekuhaupio Akana, Carl Alexander, Simeon Alo, Nassor Anderson, Joe Balangitao Sr., Michael Bates, Lionel Brash, Danny Crowell, Alvin Haake, Phillip Haake, Jason Hiyakumoto, Dave Kaaihue, Sam Kaeo, Elmo Kahalekai, George Kahoohanohano, Joe Kealoha, Amos Keawekane, Robert Kemfort, Curtis Lee, Fuata Lui, Scott Lyon, Rowland Maielua, Todd Matsui, Mamoru Oka, Nick Reuss, James Sato, Paul Stone, Rocky Sugino, Carl Teshima, Daryl Toma and Aylett Wallwork Sr.