Warriors land Arizona LB

Former Arizona outside linebacker Makani Kema-Kaleiwahea (who used to be known as Keoni Bush-Loo) is joining the Warriors.

Kema-Kaleiwahea, a 2012 Kamehameha Schools graduate, is 6 feet 4 and 240 pounds. He played in 25 games total as a freshman and sophomore, mostly on special teams and as a third-down, pass-rushing specialist. The Wildcats employ a 3-3-5 defense in which the outside backers are used as pass rushers and in coverage.

He was on the active roster for three games this season before requesting — and receiving — a release from his Arizona scholarship for personal reasons. Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez and UH coach Norm Chow are good friends, and they had several talks before Kema-Kaleiwahea was offered a UH scholarship.

He received an NCAA waiver for the 2014 season. UH’s hope is that special circumstances will enable him to play this season without redshirting.

Here’s the full story: Kema-Kaleiwahea

* * * * *


It was the 2004 Unity convention for journalists, and every major media outlet had a booth at the job fair. At the time, Stuart Scott was an established sports anchor. Yet, there he was, manning the ESPN booth, shaking hands and telling aspiring and experienced journalists the benefits of working for ESPN. That was my one and only encounter with Scott, a humble guy willing to help others.

Rest in peace to a guy who was as cool as the other side of a pillow.

* * * * *


Back in the early 1980s, Gus Hannemann wanted to help high school athletes of Samoan ancestry. He organized banquets, scholarship funds and, even, excursions to American Samoa. He did a lot of other things, but the union of athletics, education and culture was one of the best memories.

He was a good man. He will be missed. Deepest sympathies to his family, including his brother Mufi.

COMMENTS

  1. al January 4, 2015 9:32 am

    Nice pick up


  2. al January 4, 2015 9:32 am

    Rip Gus and Stuart…boo-ya.


  3. al January 4, 2015 9:34 am

    Chip Kelly’s dealing for the bucs first pick.


  4. al January 4, 2015 9:36 am

    Is makani a lb’er or te?


  5. Stephen Tsai January 4, 2015 9:38 am

    Al:
    He’ll be an outside linebacker.


  6. al January 4, 2015 9:41 am

    Sounds good we need the size and toughness.
    Any dline transfers?


  7. tom January 4, 2015 9:52 am

    GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!


  8. jm2375 January 4, 2015 10:04 am

    Good morning Tsaikos!

    Welcome to the Warrior ohana, Mr. Kema-Kaleiwahea!

    Condolences to the Scott and Hannemann ohanas.

    And, finally, congrats to the VolleyBows on their win last night! Had a nice chat with Scott Hartley after the game. He’ll be graduating in May and has only 2 classes this semester. He said that’ll make traveling a lot easier.

    Come on out to the SSC on Thursday, Friday and Sunday to see the Bows take on 3 of the best teams in the nation, Penn State, Ohio State & UCIrvine.

    GO WARRIORS!
    GO WAHINE!


  9. Warbow January 4, 2015 10:38 am

    Any word on any more tranfsers coming in or at least talking about coming here?


  10. NorthShoreFan January 4, 2015 10:46 am

    Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.

    Aloha and Mahalo to Gus. The community will miss your Aloha.


  11. hatakeman January 4, 2015 10:58 am

    Just an opinion, but maybe there are players who have committed to Hawaii, but have been asked to hold any announcement until LOI signing day. I think UH is fearful that other schools may hammer a commit to de-commit. UH already has one recruit, Jonah Moi, that reversed his commitment from Hawaii to Washington State.


  12. Les January 4, 2015 11:11 am

    With the renewed interest in playing Hawaii recruiting/football, many of the scholarship players will need to earn their stripes. Hope the level of play will improve as a result.


  13. Da Punchbowl Kid January 4, 2015 11:18 am

    Welcome Makani!

    RIP Mr. Scott and Mr. Hanneman. Condolences to their familes!


  14. kruzen January 4, 2015 11:55 am

    Aloha Mr. Hanneman, Mr. Scott and my neighbor.

    Rich Eisen and Stuart Scott’s espy speech:
    sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/espn-s-stuart-scott-dies-at-age-49-after-cancer-battle-155025980.html


  15. Stephen Tsai January 4, 2015 1:54 pm

    There actually are more than a few wanting to transfer back. But they wouldn’t be eligible until 2016. There are more immediate needs.


  16. hitman January 4, 2015 1:56 pm

    aloha everyone !! good job coach chow ! hope you can get couple more to replace or up grade some key spots on both side team !!
    welcome home Kema-Kaleiwahea. go bow !!!


  17. st. anthony trojan January 4, 2015 2:12 pm

    Kinda funny that those remarks from Kanaka n FJ were stricken from the record…that part that says…in can’t do..then they teach…

    Seems to me when Whitey was a lad there in Puunene…there was a coach that was a great teacher… of Gold Medal Winners… swimming…in several Olympics…n never did know if he ever ‘did’ or was a great swimmer…or just a great teacher…

    Knowing that Whitey is a swimming ‘nut’ …maybe he can answer ..he he he…

    And being a ‘doer’ n teaching when to old to participate ne more …is a excellent way to share ones experience…hence in Japanese the word ‘Sensei’ says it all… no explanation needed any further….


  18. hitman January 4, 2015 2:29 pm

    so 2016 is looking better then 2015 with bigger name player that we know about coming in we hope so far !! ST what to you think the odds on coach finishing the 5 year deal with UH? sorry to put you kind of on the spot !! i was one crying to make a coaching change!! but new season got back hawaii team!! hope luck and prays players & coach chow


  19. whitey January 4, 2015 2:38 pm

    sa Trojan, you get good memory. Actually two great coaches came from Puunene who changed the swimming world. Most know Coach Soichi Sakamoto, but few remember Coach Maxwell “Mac” Nakano. Coach Mac worked for HC&S at the Puunene Pool and he produced two world class breaststrokers who were National Champions. One went on to UW and the other went to Indiana under Coach Jim
    Councilman. Somehow, Coach Mac has not been honored in the Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame. I guess people have short memories, but not sa Trojan.


  20. st. anthony trojan January 4, 2015 2:50 pm

    Thanks Mr. Whitey…..never got there to Puunene often as a kid..only remember sum ‘senior’ league games there at the baseball fields…guys like ‘moo moo espinda…one arm…murray…nobriga..mostly from wailuku n waikapu…

    Thanks for that info.. never heard of him…was he after coach or before or
    same time ?

    Ha… my memory is long.. cuz me is old…just made 79 last month…he he he


  21. 3-Prong January 4, 2015 2:56 pm

    …and How ‘Bout Dem Cowboys!


  22. st. anthony trojan January 4, 2015 3:11 pm

    Me wanted the lions to win… but hats off the papale to them cowgirls he he he

    Them cheer ladies are always good to ‘oogle’ huh..


  23. Da Punchbowl Kid January 4, 2015 3:42 pm

    Nice article on Makani, Mr. Tsai. Very touching – he looks like he’ll be great Warrior.


  24. Da Punchbowl Kid January 4, 2015 3:45 pm

    *a great


  25. papajoe2 January 4, 2015 4:03 pm

    While watching the A. Cardinals game yesterday, It reminded me of UH football. Very little play action passes or man in motion runs, especially in the 4th quarter to keep the defense off balance. When they were behind and the clock running down, it allowed the Panthers to tee off on the QB. Sure, UH does a few man in motion, but we need our qb to follow through with all fakes after handing off. After watching a MW team earlier in December, the qb did a lot of faking, like handing off right, but running left like he had the ball. 1 split second of hesitation on the defense can make the tackler not so effective trying to tackle the ball carrier thus rb having more broken tackle runs or even breaking long runs. Of course, nearly all of our running plays are up the middle, but instead of our qb handing off and watching the ball carrier, maybe he should fake, and run left or right without the ball.


  26. SteveM January 4, 2015 10:37 pm

    ** tap tap tap ** … Is this blog thing still on?

    Who remembers the “9:00 pm Rule”? 😉


  27. 3-Prong January 4, 2015 11:01 pm

    What’s the 9:00 rule steveM?


  28. ai-eee-soos January 4, 2015 11:31 pm

    # 27 …. me.

    but too tired to post.


  29. turfwar January 4, 2015 11:46 pm

    watching ASU verses Arizona on Foxsports. Former Hawaii hoopster Bo Barnes is deadly from three. He must have put on about 20 pounds too. Looks good.


  30. Maddog50 January 5, 2015 3:45 am

    Sounds like the transfer could contribute. Just want a recruiting class that can compete and like right now. I just want to win this year…..long arduous journey for all the fans players etc. Go Warriors!!!!


  31. Stephen Tsai January 5, 2015 8:39 am

    Here’s today’s post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=26851


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