Moenoa pleased with
summer weight-loss
program

The UH offensive lineman is in the
best shape heÕs been in in years,
having shed 40 pounds

Uriah Moenoa said he tried "five million diets" this summer. The one he finally settled on allowed him to eat five times a day.

And it worked.

The three-year starter on the Hawaii offensive line was up to 375 in pounds and his neck in criticism last season. But Moenoa got serious about losing weight this summer, and has shed 40 pounds.

That's good news for the Warriors as they get ready to open fall camp Monday in preparation for the start of the season Sept. 4. Moenoa and his teammates report tomorrow.

"It's kind of funny. I have more meals, just not as much. Sometimes it's just a protein bar and Gatorade sometimes. Mostly, I drink a lot of water and I cut out a lot of the sugar. It works, I don't really get that hungry," Moenoa said. "There's been a lot of hard work, too. A lot of jogging and stuff and riding the (stationary) bike."

The key for Moenoa has been consistency. He splurged food-wise only once ("My grandma's 75th birthday -- I was waiting all summer for that, noodles, fish, pork, everything.") He runs or bikes twice most days, 20 to 30 minutes a session. He's also been a regular member of the UH weight room's dawn patrol, driving in from Waikele at 5:30 most mornings.

"That's a good time to lift because it's not crowded and you don't have to wait around," he said.

Moenoa said he didn't realize how much weight he'd lost until people who hadn't seen him in a while commented on it.

"To me, it hasn't changed, but guys who haven't seen me since the spring say, 'Whoa, what you doing?'" he said.

The weight loss has translated into additional strength, UH strength and conditioning coach Mel deLaura said.

"He came in (Thursday) and benched 225 pounds 34 times, which is real good. And it was easy for him," deLaura said. "This is the first time I've seen him come in after summer that he took care of business. He's bought into what we're doing. His weight is down and his strength is way up."

Moenoa thinks his endurance has improved, too. He will find out early in camp, when the Warriors undergo their conditioning test, a set of timed 220-yard runs. Complete 10 and you pass; the most Moenoa has done is six.

Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh was the toughest on Moenoa when he ballooned last year. Now, he is very pleased.

"He looks good. I think he's back to his high school weight, what he played at as a freshman for us. He's just taking it off a little at a time. It's really the only way you can do it. I'm glad he's finally decided he wants it. He's just got to continue to take care of himself," Cavanaugh said.

UH has had five offensive linemen drafted by the NFL in five years. Moenoa, who has started 39 of a possible 40 games the past three years, could be the sixth if he stays in shape.

"You only get one shot at the next level. It's not like the old days where you get cut and can come back the next year. Now they're just looking at the new crop," Cavanaugh said.

Moenoa said it's not only about getting ready to turn pro.

"I just feel like the other guys made a commitment, and I want to be part of that," he said. "I want to contribute to success and help motivate the others."