Hawaii offensive lineman Manly Kanoa and defensive tackle Mike Iosua were added to the Feb. 2 Hula Bowl yesterday. Kanoa, Iosua join 6 other
Warriors in Hula BowlBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com"We got two quality athletes. I just have to figure out how to get them jerseys. They've already been shipped, but we'll figure something out," Lenny Klompus, the Hula Bowl CEO said.
"We didn't really have any pukas, but in talking to (Bob) Stoops' office and Dennis Erickson (the Hula Bowl head coaches) they kept talking about depth on the lines."
Iosua thought his football career was over.
"Coach (Mike) Cavanaugh and Coach (Rich) Miano kept saying I should be in the game, but I was still surprised when they picked me," Iosua said. "I'd be excited if the opportunity came about from it to play in the NFL. But I'm just happy to be in one final game with some teammates."
Kanoa (who also played in the East-West Shrine game) and Iosua join UH teammates Nick Rolovich, Craig Stutzmann, Joe Correia, Robert Grant, Nate Jackson and Jacob Espiau in the all-star game at War Memorial Stadium on Maui.
Defensive end Jarvis Green of Louisiana State and linebacker Rod Taylor of Alabama-Birmingham have also been added. Green was second-team all-SEC, but Taylor is a relative unknown.
"There was no decision to be made on a guy like Green. Mel Kiper got me on (Taylor)," Klompus said. "He said he's a big-time sleeper."
Details, details: Klompus said it was a technicality, but an important one. The Maui County Council unanimously approved a resolution Tuesday to permit the Hula Bowl to be played.
Before the vote, the game's contract to use the stadium was going to expire Feb. 1. Klompus said politics is the only reason the permit became an issue at all.
"I didn't think for a minute it wouldn't pass," Klompus said. "It's just that we're in between the (county) administration and the council. We're the child watching the parents argue."
Line dance: UH defensive lineman Wayne Hunter is switching to the offensive line in spring practice, which begins March 11.
"We're moving him to left tackle," offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "His athletic ability, his height and weight (6 feet 6 inches, 295 pounds), his long arms, make him a good prospect there. We kind of messed around one day last spring. The defensive line went to offensive line and the offensive line went to defensive line, and he did well."
Cavanaugh also said starting left tackle Lui Fuata will be moved to left guard (Kanoa's former position) and starting right tackle Uriah Moenoa may try center.
Brandon Eaton and Derek Faavae are other possibilities at center, while Ryan Santos gets the first shot at right tackle if Moenoa's move works.
"I'm hoping Ryan works really hard. He's come a long way," Cavanaugh said. "If he's not a three-year starter at right tackle, I'll be disappointed."
Tackles Mike Holt and Charlie Dutra and guards Shayne Kajioka and Phil Kauffman will also get long looks.
Right guard Vince Manuwai is the only fixture at this point.
Spring is important for the linemen, because a lack of injuries and consistent play has meant little movement on the depth chart once the season begins. In two of the past three years, none of the starting five have missed a game.
"If you're a good technician, in the system we run you shouldn't get banged up," Cavanaugh said. "Last year they did a great job with Mel deLaura getting in shape. I don't think that was the case the year before."