Thoughts and prayers for injured Warrior

The first thing to notice is the long hair.


The next thing is the fighting spirit.

Defensive tackle Kalepo Naotala signed with the Warriors on Feb. 3, 2016, but delayed enrolling until January to fully recover from knee surgery. Despite the long recovery period, Naotala was prepared to work hard. During the 2016 offseason conditioning program, the first under strength/conditioning coordinator Bubba Reynolds, the Warriors each did 10 sprint-pushes of weighted sleds per workout. This past spring, they did 18. Naotala welcomed the challenge of the sleds … and sprints … and heavy-ball throws … By May, he was fit and prepared to contend for a spot in the defensive-line rotation this fall. He also displayed a personable side. In May, he was part of the group of players who greeted workers during a downtown pep rally.


This past Saturday, Naotala was seriously injured after hitting his head while diving off the wall near the Kapahulu Groin off Waikiki Beach. A witness said two teammates pulled him from the water. He then was transported to a hospital in serious condition.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Naotala, his family and the Warriors.

COMMENTS

  1. haka July 3, 2017 8:42 am

    Heal up Kalepo!
    Go Warriors!


  2. orioles4eva July 3, 2017 9:01 am

    Kalepo my thoughts and prayers are with you.


  3. Derek July 3, 2017 9:24 am

    Hope he’ll be okay. Young people tend to heal faster. It’s so close to camp so might as well Kalepo to ease back into it by possibly late Sept. or Oct. No need to rush. Maybe time to think about Kennedy. Good luck men.


  4. Bowwar July 3, 2017 9:51 am

    He has the heart of a Warrior…He will overcome this challenge. Thoughts & prayers to him & his family…


  5. H-Man July 3, 2017 10:53 am

    Kalepo has a gentle soul. Praying for a full recovery. Waiting to see him in a Warrior uniform real soon.


  6. Luki July 3, 2017 11:05 am

    Get well Kalepo!


  7. greenthumb July 3, 2017 11:16 am

    Sending healing wishes to him, and a safe journey if any family members are on their way. It must be so hard to know your child is hurt and be thousands of miles away. Mahalo to our host for not fueling speculation the way a certain television station’s typo-ridden post does.


  8. Slugger July 3, 2017 11:29 am

    Prayers. Healing. Light. Love.


  9. Old School Dave July 3, 2017 11:37 am

    Wishing Kalepo all the best and a complete recovery. Get well. Thoughts and prayers are with you.


  10. NotNasti July 3, 2017 11:41 am

    We should be praying for a recovery, in whatever shape or form comes. Football at this point is secondary. Kennedy, on the other hand, needs to be “eligible,” before he can be considered for reinstatement. In college, there’s this thing called classes, books, exams and grades. I struggled with that concept myself.


  11. 808WarriorFan July 3, 2017 11:51 am

    Hang in there Kalepo … YOU’RE A WARRIOR … !!!!!


  12. turfwar July 3, 2017 12:13 pm

    Healing prayers for Kalepo. Was so excited to see him compete for playing time this year. His enthusiasm for being a Warrior would have taken him a long way. Playing football is now the farthest thing in my hopes for this young man. Just get well and live a full life. Godspeed Kalepo and you will always be a Warrior in my book.


  13. Akamai Okole July 3, 2017 1:01 pm

    Great Afternoon All!

    Healing thoughts.

    Das it


  14. clyde July 3, 2017 1:13 pm

    It’s been a tough couple years for Naotala. I believe his senior season was cut short by injury, then following surgery and extensive rehab, this unfortunate incident happens.
    Now, his grit and energy will be focused solely on recovery. Stay strong, young man.


  15. UKU@LA July 3, 2017 5:05 pm

    thoughts; my friend

    GO WARRIORS

    MANEO!!!


  16. kalua pig July 3, 2017 5:33 pm

    kalepo naotala will fight back like max holloway.


  17. Da Punchbowl Kid July 3, 2017 5:45 pm

    Prayers for Kalepo!

    Warrior Strong!


  18. Old School Dave July 3, 2017 5:50 pm

    Prayers and healing thoughts to Kalepo and his family. Get well soon!


  19. Ipu Man July 3, 2017 5:56 pm

    Amen to all our prayer warriors’ prayers.
    Dang. Low tide?
    Anyone know what his name means in Hawaiian?


  20. Ipu Man July 3, 2017 6:41 pm

    This link tho not Hawaiian (I think) says Kalepo
    means a lot of good things. Sounds like what Rolo would say:
    http://www.meaningslike.com/name-stands-for/kalepo


  21. Willie July 3, 2017 7:28 pm

    Some Tsaikos informed of Kalepo undergoing spinal surgery. Wishing him the best on his recovery and future.

    Mentioned it yesterday that I hope the program has a heads up for incoming freshman players. Or perhaps a mentor that can pass on the ropes and maybe prevent possible accidents for newbies, When I have friends coming here from the Mainland, tell them to stay away from Sandy’s, caution on high surf during winter on the North Shore, take care if jumping off the rock at Waimea Bay, watch out if surf over 3 feet at Makapuu, don’t keep anything exposed in the car and stuff like that.


  22. Akamai Okole July 3, 2017 7:53 pm

    Great Evening All!

    19 year-olds…herding cats.

    Das it


  23. tom-warriornation July 3, 2017 8:24 pm

    Best wishes for a complete recovery Kalepo, our Warrior nation is praying for you!


  24. amela July 3, 2017 8:29 pm

    Best wishes to a speedy recovery. No more football, life is more important.


  25. Warrior Dave July 3, 2017 10:30 pm

    Healing wishes and prayers to our young Warrior.


  26. Petey808 July 3, 2017 11:05 pm

    Prayers for this young warrior and his family!


  27. jr July 4, 2017 8:24 am

    prayers out to young warrior.and to his family,warriors stand strong.


  28. A-House July 4, 2017 8:39 am

    A-House family wishes a full and speedy recovery to Kalepo!!!


  29. HawaiiMongoose July 4, 2017 10:56 am

    Take care Kalepo and family. Best wishes for rapid healing and a safe and healthy future.


  30. Stephen Tsai July 4, 2017 1:41 pm

    New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=43976


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