Kauka waits on Like a rookie trying to make the team, Hawaii running back Jonathan Kauka is the first to volunteer.
NCAA ruling
The UH special-teams star
was injured early last year
and is hoping for another
year of eligibilityBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comLike the veteran he is, Kauka tries to make the team better by sharing knowledge with newcomers.
The crazy thing is he might not even be on the Warriors' roster come the fall.
On Sept. 6, 2002, Kauka tore up his right knee in Provo, Utah. The ligament damage he suffered in the 35-32 loss to Brigham Young ended his season, and presumably the fifth-year senior's career.
But this is spring football, when hopes are high. UH has appealed to the NCAA for an additional season of eligibility for Kauka, and he said yesterday he's been told there's a good chance he'll get it.
"I shouldn't say too much, because there's no guarantee," Kauka said. "But I think it's a 90 or 95 percent thing. Some people have already been telling me congratulations."
The only evidence of Kauka's injuries yesterday was the big pack of ice on his knee after practice.
He went through a long and hard rehabilitation after surgery, although he had no idea what his chances would be of returning to the field even if he did get back to the physical point of being able to play.
"I feel a little weak on certain cuts and movements, but I wouldn't be out here if I didn't think I could do it," he said.
Although he's listed as a running back, the 6-foot, 209-pound Waiakea graduate's real value is as a special-teams player. Kauka, who walked on but was awarded a scholarship last year, was on almost every kicking-game squad the last three seasons.
"His energy, enthusiasm for the game is great. His passion to be a contributing part of the team is contagious," running backs coach Wes Suan said. "It's all up to the NCAA now. He has a real good chance."
Cravalho transferring: Junior Josiah Cravalho has left the team and is transferring to Evangel University in Springfield, Mo., his father, Allen, said.
He will join his brother, Micah, on the football team.
Cravalho, a special teams player and backup cornerback, played in 10 games and made five tackles last year.
KB the GA: He doesn't graduate until next month, so Keith Bhonapha is technically a graduate assistant in training. But the former Warriors defensive back seems to be taking to coaching quickly, barking out orders during drills with confidence.
"It's just the first couple days, so I don't think anyone's mad at me, but this is my first season doing this and I was just playing with these guys a few weeks ago," Bhonapha said. "It's not an authoritarian thing, I'm just trying to help them out. They're still my friends, I hope."
Bhonapha, who is applying for UH's public administration graduate program, will be a GA in the fall.
Bhonapha completed his playing career last year, appearing in all 14 games and making 42 tackles.
Serving the country: Sophomore slotback Nate Ilaoa's brother, Aaron, is a U.S. Marine participating directly in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"He's been in touch with our family fairly regularly, and so far he's OK," Nate Ilaoa said.
Their father, Filipo, is the command sergeant major of Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Short yardage: Starting quarterback Tim Chang helped out in 7-on-7 drills yesterday by playing safety. ... Sophomore wide receiver Mark Tate's strained left knee has gotten better enough for him to participate fully. "I'm still a little slow in my get-off (the line). I've just got to get used to it," he said.
UH Athletics
