PAUL HONDA / PHONDA@STARBULLETIN.COM Kahuku's Al Afalava, left, will join former Red Raider Jeremy Perry at Oregon State in the fall.

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Hawaii’s seniors
sign on the line

Isle students make college
athletic commitments; UH lands
15 overall in football -- so far

The big one slipped off the University of Hawaii's hook, but the Warriors reeled in some impressive catches yesterday as high school football players signed and sent letters of intent to the colleges of their choice.

By the end of business, UH had received signed pledges from 15 players, filling needs throughout the roster. But the most noteworthy local recruit still uncommitted heading into signing day, Saint Louis defensive tackle Tyson Alualu, decided on the University of California instead of UH.

Alualu said he favored Berkeley after visiting the Bay Area campus, but wanted to make sure he made the right decision.

"It was the first time I ever traveled," he said yesterday afternoon. "I still had a lot of debates about it. But I prayed on it and weighed everything. The family side was important, so that was a positive for UH. But I really liked it a lot up there (at Cal)."

He added that playing in a major conference (the Pac-10) was an attraction.

On Maui, Baldwin linebacker Kaluka Maiava signed with national champion USC.

Six players from Oahu high schools signed with the Warriors at a ceremony at Kapolei High School.

Defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea and linebacker R.J. Kiesel-Kauhane (both Aiea), linebacker Blaze Soares (Castle), defensive tackle Raphael Ieru (McKinley), offensive lineman Aaron Kia (Mililani) and defensive lineman John Fonoti (Farrington) made good their oral commitments.

"I feel relieved knowing that college is set for me," Kiesel-Kauhane said.

The Aiea products' letters had not yet been received by UH as of its final report yesterday, however.

The Warriors did receive signed paperwork from defensive back/wide receiver Kirk Alexander (Altadena, Calif./Pasadena HS), running back/ line- backer Mario Cox (Oakland, Calif./McClymonds HS), linebacker Solomon Elimimian (Los Angeles/ Crenshaw HS), offensive lineman John Estes (Stockton, Calif./St. Mary's HS), defensive lineman Tomi Halai (San Francisco/College of the Canyons), wide receiver Marquez Jackson (Gainesville, Ga./East Hall HS), offensive lineman Daniel Johnson (Sammamish, Wash./Skyline HS), defensive back Erik Pederson (Palos Verdes, Calif./Peninsula HS), defensive tackle Siave Seti (Long Beach, Calif./West Los Angeles College), defensive back KayBrin Stevenson (Chandler, Ariz./Chandler HS) and receiver Michael Washington (Aliquippa, Pa./Aliquippa HS).

Pac-Five linebacker Brashton Satele was scheduled to sign with UH at a ceremony at Word of Life Academy today. Overall, UH expected five linebackers to join up.

The Warriors got a late commitment from Vallejo, Calif., athlete Ulysses Dalton to remove some of the sting of losing Alualu. Dalton (6-1, 180) helps avoid a potential shallow spot at cornerback.

"As soon as I took my visit there, I knew it's where I wanted to be," said Dalton, who tripped Manoa last weekend and got the scholarship offer from coach June Jones yesterday.

His letter is expected to come in, but had not been received as of last night's final report from UH.

Jones was scheduled to formally introduce the recruiting class at an 11 a.m. news conference today.

At Kahuku High School, 10 seniors signed letters of intent yesterday (none to UH). Nine signed in football: seven in Division I and two for junior colleges. The 10th was volleyball player Leeann Mapu.

For several weeks, BYU seemed to have the inside track to landing Kahuku safety Al Afalava.

That changed yesterday. The hard-hitting 5-11, 200-pound safety signed to play for Oregon State. Another Star-Bulletin All-State first-team selection, Spencer Hafoka, signed with BYU.

Kahuku's quintet of future New Mexico State players also signed. Linebackers B.J. Adolpho and Max Fairclough, tight end La'auli Fonoti, offensive lineman Maveu Heimuli and defensive tackle David Niumatalolo gave NMSU the largest group of island signees with the exception of Hawaii.

Desmond Enesa signed to play at Dixie Junior College (Utah) and Mau He Moala signed with Glendale Junior College.

Mapu signed to play volleyball for BYU-Hawaii.

Hafoka, a 6-foot, 180-pound wide receiver, will go on a church mission for two years before joining the Cougars.

"I was considering UH, but they never made an offer," Hafoka said. "It would've been nice, but overall, it's a big relief to be done with the recruiting. Now I can just focus on school instead of going on trips."

Hafoka visited Utah, Oregon State and UNLV in addition to BYU. He was offered scholarships by all four schools. "It was really hard to let them all know about my decision. All the coaches were awesome," he said. "But you gotta do what's best for you, what's right for you."

Joining Hafoka at BYU was an option for Afalava, but deep down, he knew he wanted to play for Oregon State. "It was tough. I didn't make my decision until last night," he said. "I wanna play in the Pac-10."

Afalava noted two factors in his decision: his liking of Oregon State's coaches, and the presence of former Kahuku player Jeremy Perry. It still wasn't an easy call.

"It was tough. My dad wanted me to go to Oregon State, but my mom wanted me to attend BYU," he said. Getting good advice from Kahuku assistant coaches Byron Beatty, Keala Santiago and Sean Makaiau was timely.

Beatty and Makaiau played for BYU. "They said Oregon State would fit me best," Afalava said.

"I want to thank my coaches and my family for helping me make this decision," he said.

Hawaii, oddly enough, wasn't in the picture for Afalava. "Oregon State recruited me since last spring. Hawaii called a few times, but that was it," he said. Hawaii never offered a scholarship.

Fonoti, one of the NMSU-bound players, didn't have the level of anxiety that recruits like Hafoka and Afalava experienced. "It wasn't that stressful since I'd made up my mind," he said. Late in the process, San Jose State inquired, but Fonoti was set on going to Las Cruces with his teammates.

"They were about to offer, but I was happy with New Mexico State," said Fonoti, who now carries 230 pounds on his 6-2 frame.

Kahuku running back Micah Strickland also signed his letter of intent to play for San Diego State. He was not at the Red Raiders press conference.

At Kamehameha, Waika Spencer added his signature to the papers that made him a San Diego State Aztec.

Spencer was also recruited by Arizona, Idaho and USC, but all three dropped him when they found out he had torn his ACL.

"San Diego State kept recruiting and offering me, so it showed that they were committed to me. They told me I could rehab and still fit into their offense," the 6-4, 220-pound wide receiver said.

"It's amazing. I've been thinking about this decision since they started sending me material last year. It feels great to get it over with and to know that I have the chance to play football at the next level," said Spencer, who will convert to tight end.

"Waika played with us since he was a sophomore and he was our go-to guy the last two seasons," Warriors coach Kanani Souza said. "He consistently came up with big plays and we're going to miss that big-play ability."

Souza predicted a strong recovery for Spencer. "He's going to be fine. He had a great orthopedic surgeon and he'll be as good as new. It won't affect him," he said.

Spencer is at peace with his future. "Kamehameha has been a big part of my life since seventh grade. The facilities are some of the best in the world and the coaching staff has helped me to prepare for college and life in general.

"It's a blessing. I have to thank my family and God for everything."

Kamehameha's standout softball player, Liane Horiuchi, signed her letter to play for Tennessee. "It was a stressful process and I'm confident that Tennessee is the right place for me," the infielder said.

"She's probably the top position player in the state," Kamehameha coach Ty Sing Chow said. "She will do very well. She has the desire to succeed and an excellent work ethic."

Recruited by UH, BYU, Arizona State, Washington and Cal, Horiuchi chose Tennessee after visiting the campus. She canceled all her other trips after seeing Tennessee.

"Knoxville has a great atmosphere and I fell in love with the campus. At Tennessee, I'll have the chance to play in the College World Series and compete for championships.

"Kamehameha really pushed me academically and athletically," she added. "I'm thankful for all my teachers and coaches. I'm very thankful for my family for supporting me throughout this process."

In addition to Alualu, another Saint Louis senior signed his papers yesterday. Running back Kevin Sullivan (5-8, 180), a Star-Bulletin All-State second-team selection by media and coaches, will play for the Air Force Academy.

Alualu will be joined at Cal by Kamehameha defensive tackle Mika Kane. Like Alualu, Kane is a Star-Bulletin All-State first-team selection.

Kane was among 12 signees at a press conference hosted by Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance at Kapolei Hale yesterday morning. The signing, replete with live TV and radio coverage, began at 7 a.m. as the NCAA letter of intent period began nationwide.

The other signees at the PIAA conference were: