'Bows football captain a Circle of Honor member

Star-Bulletin staff
sports@starbulletin.com Nolle Smith, an outstanding running back at the University of Hawaii and member of the school's Sports Circle of Honor, died Saturday at St. Francis-West Hospice. He was 86.

Smith, the Rainbows' team captain, is best known for leading Hawaii to a 20-6 victory over Willamette to complete UH's season in 1941 with an 8-1 record.

But the game and Smith's 100-yard rushing performance were overshadowed by the events of the following day -- Dec. 7 -- when Pearl Harbor was bombed.

Smith immediately joined the Army. He fought in the Pacific campaign, including at Guadalcanal, and attained the rank of captain.

After the war, the Roosevelt High School graduate returned to Hawaii and became a football coach and teacher at Maui High School and later at Kaimuki High School. He later retired as director of Maui parks and recreation.

Smith is survived by daughters Kim Gonzales, Tsulan L. Husted and Kuuipo T.C. Smith, son Nolle R. Smith, nieces Lori Lundberg and Leinaala Freitas, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

"Lori and Leinaala were like daughters to him, too," Gonzales said.

Services will be held Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at Central Union Church's Atherton Chapel.