[ HULA BOWL ]
Players return to
islands for bowlSeveral football players
with Hawaii ties will play
in the Hula Bowl
Jesse Keaulana-Kamakea received his favorite gift the day after Christmas. The Kansas State offensive lineman from Waimanalo got his invitation last Friday to play in the Jan. 17 Hula Bowl on Maui.
"I'm pretty excited and was kind of surprised," the Kailua graduate said yesterday in a telephone interview. "I'm very grateful for an opportunity to play in front of my family in Hawaii. That makes it really special. I've got no family members here for this game."
He spoke from Tempe, Ariz., where the 6-foot-3, 285-pound guard and his teammates are preparing for Friday's Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State.
Keaulana-Kamakea will go up against Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel again in the Hula Bowl. He's playing for the Kai (water), while Tressel coaches the Aina (land).
"I don't know him very well, but he spoke at a Fellowship of Christian Athletes function yesterday and I was very impressed," Keaulana-Kamakea said. "I look forward to playing against him twice. I'll also be playing against my old teammate (at San Francisco City College), Tim Fa'aita (a guard from Arizona State)."
Keaulana-Kamakea is among several players with Hawaii ties slated to play in the game at War Memorial Stadium. Others are Utah offensive tackle Sean Souza (Saint Louis), Arizona linebacker Joe Siofele (Saint Louis), Hawaii defensive back Hyrum Peters (Kahuku) and UH wide receiver Jeremiah Cockheran.
"Obviously, we didn't get the (UH) players we wanted," said game president Dick Shaller, who had hoped to sign defensive linemen Travis LaBoy and Isaac Sopoaga. "We also have our eyes on a couple of others."
Jesse Sapolu, the former Hawaii offensive line great from Farrington and a San Francisco 49ers standout, will be on Maui as Hula Bowl "host" during the week of the game, Shaller said.
Shaller said several players will be added to the two teams, including the winner of the Mosi Tatupu Award, which goes to the most outstanding special teams player in the nation.