Warriors set to head to Colorado Springs
The Warriors are scheduled to depart this evening for their fifth road trip of the season.
They will arrive in Denver tomorrow morning, then make the 85-mile drive to Colorado Springs.
* * * * *
Here is this week’s Q&A:
Question: What is the status of defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii, who was dismissed from the team in June after pleading no contest to a felony accusation of property damage?
Answer: Interim Vice Chancellor Lori Ideta recently turned down Tulimasealii’s request to rescind the dismissal or convert it into a suspension, making it unlikely he will play for the Rainbow Warriors again.
In imposing the sanction in June, according to a UH statement, Tulimasealii was “dismissed from the University of Hawaii football team for violating the UH student-athlete conduct code.” The code states that “any student-athlete convicted of or pleading guilty or no contest to a felony charge shall be permanently dismissed from the team.”
Michael Green argued that Tulimasealii did not violate the code because Circuit Court Judge Christine Kuriyama agreed to a request for a deferral of the plea. Kuriyama set aside the plea with the understanding the charges will be cleared from his criminal record if he stays out of trouble for a specified period of time.
“If you plead no contest and you move to defer, where the judge does not accept your no contest, you’re convicted of nothing,” Green said. “They’re saying, if you speak the words ‘no contest,’ you’re out. Don’t even whisper the words or you’re off the team and we’ll deny you financial aid. What kind of people are these?”
Green said he went with the deferral strategy because he felt it would be the quickest way for Tulimasealii to be reinstated. “If I had to try the case, I’m convinced I could have won,” Green said. “Who has a year-and-a-half to waste on this, especially if he walks away without a conviction? It doesn’t make any sense. It’s crazy.”
Tulimasealii is enrolled at UH-Manoa this fall semester. His last hope would be if UH president David Lassner agrees to another appeal hearing.
Q: What is UH’s plan to improve ball security and deter fumbling?
A: “I went up to Manoa Valley and grabbed a lava rock and I’ve got it outside the locker room,” coach Nick Rolovich said. “If they don’t have ball security, then they have to spend 5 minutes holding (the rock). When we give them the ball, they hold the heart and soul of this island. They can close their eyes and hold the rock.”
Q: Is there a receiver who might get more playing time?
A: Keelan Ewaliko, who can play slotback or wideout, is prepared for an expanded role. “I think he’s grown as a person,” Rolovich said. “I can see him getting some playing time.”
Q: Is there an emphasis on speed on defense in recruiting?
A: “Always,” Rolovich said.
Q: Does UH still see recruits trying to trip Hawaii for vacations?
A: “No,” Rolovich said, “because we’re not into tripping guys for vacations. I think we’re doing a good job staying in touch with a lot of recruits. We haven’t tripped anybody yet (this semester). We want to know who’s really interested. We want to force their hand with other schools. If they want to commit there, I’m not giving them a trip.”
Q: What’s the status of freshman safety Kalen Hicks?
A: “Kalen Hicks is prepared to play,” Rolovich said.
Q: Why did UH throw three deep passes beginning with 49 seconds left and trailing 41-38 against UNLV?
A: The Rainbow Warriors did not have any remaining timeouts when they started their final drive. Also, UNLV was defending the short routes. Rolovich said the Rebels had a three-man front and were trying to “protect the sideline” with cloud-flat corners. They also had two hook players and a middle defender. “If we had a couple timeouts, I think we could have run the ball a little bit,” Rolovich said. “I thought about putting (backup quarterback) Ikaika (Woolsey) in on that drive because those are some throws he really understands and likes. I thought (quarterback) Dru (Brown) got hit pretty good on that last play. He limped off. That’s one thing I’m second-guessing right now.”
Q: What did you see in freshman defensive end Kaimana Padello?
A: “As soon as you meet him, you can tell he loves Warrior football,” Rolovich said. “He’s always got energy. This is the best part of his day, coming out here and practicing football. He injects that into others. When he makes plays … that’s evidence that that’s how you’re supposed to play the game. I wouldn’t trade him for the world. That’s a true freshman walk-on who’s getting sacks and blocking punts. There probably were a thousand people telling him he wasn’t good enough to do it. The good thing when you’re a person who has dreams and goals, you should also have bad ears. You shouldn’t listen to that stuff. I like how he processes what he wants to listen to and what he doesn’t. He probably had a support system at home that told him he could be whatever he wanted to be.”
Q: Is offensive line coach Chris Naeole’s Polynesian Hall of Fame induction helpful in recruiting?
A: “It’s definitely something we sell — a guy who’s been there, who’s done it at the highest level,” Rolovich said. “With our attraction to Polynesian players, I think that’s important.”
Q: What’s this coaching staff’s approach to playing in high altitude this weekend?
A: “The one thing we could do — and this is a little secret about lower campus — we didn’t practice down here (on the soccer field),” Rolovich said. “We practiced up here (on the grass football field). It’s a little higher.”
The football field is on level about 8 feet higher than the soccer field.
Yeah buddy! Cannot wait. Travel safe boys and bring da pain!
Questions and answers… that’s cool. Thanks coach Rolo. Very informative. Keep up the good work Mr. Tsai!
Lets go Bows! Can do in Colorado Springs!
ST & Tsaiko Blog Dogs:
While I am admittedly not an athlete, my first encounter of altitude in Colorado Springs happened going from the terminal to the parking lot. Less than 30 yards but had to stop to catch my breath. I did admire the beautiful mountains while doing so.
Go Warriors!
Team gotta be careful going to the toilet in Colorado Springs.
It was announced today that the Airforce dumped firefighting
foam PFCs linked to kidney, prostate and testicular cancer…
into the city’s sewer system.
Missing this season is enough of a penalty/consequence for KT. What the young man did was wrong. But not allowing any path to reinstatement strikes me as overly punitive and sanctimonious. If you are in the business of education then your job is to teach. The best teachers identify their students errors and help them correct them. There is no need for standing on some high moral perch here. Permanent exile is too harsh a punishment in my opinion and serves no one well. It actually blocks a path to healing and reconciliation, in my view.
Nevah like say notting but…there’s a strong possibility that I may have been responsible for starting both the wave and the phone lite phenom. I was on my knees looking for the water bottle I dropped. Then, I stood up with my phone lite on. Suddenly others around my seat section turned on their lites to help me look as the bottle rolled down our entire section. It caught fire from there and the rest is history. Tsaiko’s Rule!
If Kennedy is not reinstated I hope Rolo show some compassion and give Kennedy his release so he can at least have a senior year at another school. I always hate athletes having to appeal to educators or professors. They don’t always understand football and could be influenced by bias or pressured by activist groups.
If the victims in this case is ok with Kennedy’s term of punishment and he completes his obligations set forth by the judge….why should someone who have who has no involvement in this case make a decision.
About them lights… (sorry, just got out of the cave this week)
Those lights were cool (yes, I was at the game to the end)… I don’t think coach was distracted by them. He just wants to reward that person for coming up with the idea at our game. But I wish it was done when UNLV was on offense. Maybe it would have distracted them.
Anyway, good luck to the WARRIORS this week. Hey, there is a chance for an upset. Its been done before at Air Force.
GO WARRIORS!!! BEAT AIR FORCE!!!
I would normally have supported the university’s decision to uphold Kennedy’s dismissal, but have changed my view and opinion since watching CBS’s 60-Minutes’ report on Germany’s prison system. They, totally unlike the U.S. prison system, treat each convicted felon, including those incarcerated for violent crimes, as humans and are placed in a rehabilitation program tailored for them after intensive interviews with psychiatrists and counselors. The prisons are not crowded and prisoners are provided fully furnished apartments that serve as their “prison cell.” They attend career training and wear normal clothing. No prison “garb.” They are provided computers and become computer-literate if they were not before. And after successfully achieving established milestones in their rehab program, they are allowed to enter the workplace, but return to their prison apartment at night. What is amazing is the German system is working. While the U.S. sees 80% of former inmates returning to prison, it is exactly the opposite in Germany. Their crime rate is has been steadily decreasing, so, I conclude that we should focus on behavior reform and rehabilitation, rather than punishment.
“If Kennedy is not reinstated I hope Rolo show some compassion and give Kennedy his release so he can at least have a senior year at another school. ”
Does Kennedy need a release? Did he ask for one? Are you implying Rolo denied a release?
Guud Morning Tsaikos…Bootiful Day!
I saddens me that KT will have his year terminated. Actions have consequences. Will UH treat this differently if a non-athlete student is in the same situation? Should they? Would a non-student athlete receive the same kind of representation?
I would love to see KT on the field but I want to see KT finish school and get his degree more. Seems he won’t be able to finish off his eligibility at UH but I do pray he gets his degree. It’s so close. Would he be able to play at the next level? I’m hoping some team will give him a chance.
Maybe the Warriors should practice with those dist mask. It makes it harder to “suck” air but can easily be pulled off if need be.
Anyhoo…IMUA WARRIORS!…let’s go bird hunting!
Sorry to see that KT won’t be returning to the UH Rainbow Warrior football program. I hope he finishes school and gets his degree.
Regarding KT … total BS. If he is and has been willing to take responsibility for his actions – do as Frank DeLima once said, “Give um anada chance.”
#7 & #10,
If can’t re-join team for 2017, KT’s only football option would be to play at a lower division (FCS or lower program) in 2017 since this 2016 season effectively serves as his redshirt year.
With all the media attention nation wide violence against women has become one of the unforgivable sins when it comes to second chances in athletics. Lassner would have to feel very secure in his position to okay another appeal hearing and all the discussion such a hearing would generate. The safe thing for him to do is to deny it and deal with the ripple of discontent from UH football fans. It’s better than dealing with the potential tsunami of controversy when the pro Kennedy people and the political correct folks along with feminist throw in their two cents.
Aloha kekoa. Am glad to see you are doing well. Take care.
AnnoddahDave #3:
eye neva know dare is a airpot dare – mus bee inside da ahcahdame?
last time i drove family down from Denver to a casino town [ forgot the name ] – about 50 mile west into the hills – it was cold – business was only casinos – very foggy coming back on the winding 2 lane road
damndisting was going to the casino town we had to go in a big circle off the interstate to reach the only road going West – yet, coming back, i got “lost” because we missed the cut off road, stopped at a motel, and asked the lady how to reach the interstate – she took me outside, told me to go straight for 1/2 mile to reach it – dang ting was there was an off-ramp to the road I was on — yet we did not see it on the way down
DPK:
here is another one for you
10/13 – 4:50 am — Kam Hwy heading to Castle Jct from Kaneohe – approaching the H3 interchange – i look back and see a car and motorcycle lights behind me – motorcycle moving fast — I am on the level, straight-a-way next to Pali Gold course and motorcycle lights are behind me – sort like tailing me – I was going about 45 MPH – approaching the Pali/HPU entrances I slow down thinking it’s a cop — now going about 38 mph in a 35 mph zone — i look back and the motorcycle lights suddenly disappear — like someone turned off the room lights
how U figga???
KT situation — disappointed to see him not have a chance to put on a UH jersey anymore although ST’s indicated a slim, very slim chance to rejoin the team
hope UH can find another KT within the local circle of current players who may be undersized, but the heart of a lion!!!!
i do not hold much hope for a UH victory against the Air Force on a single reason – lack of discipline in the D – especially the line backers
to succeed the front 7 must play “assignment” football for 60 minutes – must have 4 down and 3 LB within the “box”
at Navy couple years back, the edge rushers would immediately collapse inside, QB faked the hand-off, and ran around either end for 6 TDs!!!!!
will they repeat the Navy experience? if yes, count another loss.
#16 – Name of the casino is Cripple Creek…featured on Ghost Adventures not too long ago.
What defense?
New Mexico – 45. Air Force- 40
New Mexico – 48. San Jose St. – 41
Hawaii – 34. San Jose St. – 17
Hawaii – 55. Air Force – 52 prediction.
Too obvious, but if Hawaii does not punt on Saturday, we win.
Good Luck. No fumble, play Defense.
Re: #14 Coco Bean
Your point is well taken, but the charge that led to KT’s situation was property damage. That was the felony, so there may not be that much of a problem with the PC crowd.
Col. A-House –
Good story. Who knows what it might have been. Akualele?
About those other lights at the stadium – that WAS cool. Sweety and I joined in.
#5, Arcumfortis, as usual well said. What is Lori Ideta’s background anyway. I haven’t heard too much about her.
#24. He was charged for an act of violence towards a female and for resisting arrest both misdemeanors but they had more of an negative impact in the courts of political correctness and public opinion. They took a gamble on rolling all the charges into one case and won that bet when the Judge agreed to a deferral in accepting his no contest plea. UH is not letting Kennedy cash in on his court “win” because of his spoken words of no contest to all charges one of which was a felony. It may have been better to take the longer, slower road and litigate the cases separately. But at this point that’s just spilled milk.
@#16 A-House: Yup, there is an airport, mostly commuter size planes. Flew out of Denver.
@#20 Mrs A-House: I figured you guys went through Cripple Creek. It is quite a road especially at night as there are no lights most of the way. Went with a bunch of people and I’m glad I was only a passenger cause it was really dark on the road. All of us in the car were eyes and ears open to help out the driver. Also had a map navigator in the shot gun seat. For a gambling town, there were very few people. I guess because it was winter time and man, was it cold!
“cocobean October 19, 2016 at 3:53 pm
#24. He was charged for an act of violence towards a female and for resisting arrest both misdemeanors but they had more of an negative impact in the courts of political correctness and public opinion.”
he was charged for more than that. one of them was a class C felony for property destruction because the damage was $1500 or above. He also was charged with damaging a car and an assault charge before the latest assault and resisting arrest charge. He was arrested twice in a span of two weeks.
His attorney felt a no contest plea and a deferral of charges would be the best route for him to continue playing, and it ended up not working. I’m not saying KT is a terrible person, but he’s made some pretty dumb choices as a grown adult playing on the UH football team and representing the school. He made his bed and now he’s sleeping in it. So let’s not blame this on “political correctness” or The Feminists.
tbh i have my doubts that KT not coming back to the team is a big deal to anybody except a few people posting here. I think the team has moved on as well. Hopefully he can transfer out and continue his playing career in another school and find success there.
Kennedy could have transferred to a FCS school and played this year.
Uh is sad in its handeling of
KT situation. If I was a recruit
I would stay away from Hawaii. Kids a football player.
University of Hawaii and Head Coach Rolovich should give Kennedy another chance to play somewhere else!. So give him his release from the University of Hawaii football program. So he could set out his senior year at another university. I hope Kennedy decide to go to UNLV or San Diego State? Because their is a lot’s of kids from Hawaii play there. Anyway! I really seriously hope that? The University of Hawaii football program reschedule and put Central Florida to replace Kansas?. I would like to see Milton have a great game against the University of Hawaii! I know that a lot’s of people would like to see it happen!
UH football will be fine with recruits. Vast majority of players aren’t getting arrested for felony property destruction and misdemeanor assault charges and resisting arrest and aren’t worried about that. Like “if i went nuts on my gf and got arrested by HPD twice and plead no contest to 6 charges with my attorney playing a gambit to get my plea deferred to exploit a technicality in the student honor code, would UH administration get my back?”
I don’t think UH was inappropriate in how this is being handled or a gross injustice was being done.
KT wish you the best in your
football pursuits.
# 5 right on comment!!!
The MWC and all of Hawaii’s opponents this year I’m sure are noticing this is a whole different team from the previous 4 years.
As the Chinese would say “Har luck Har luck!” KT committed an offense that involved moral turpitude. Worst thing for a college student. Coach would be chastised often.
KT should be given a 2nd chance. this is shame on UH not the football team !! they let other that been kick out of other school come here and play !! some turn in to supper star here and they get treated like gods !! time to take your own and give that man a 2nd chance
#33. I was responding to #14. If you read my complete post I did say they lost the gamble because he spoke the words no contest to all charges one of which was a felony. In hind sight the better strategy would have been to forego playing this season and go to court. Listening to Mike Green he would have had a good chance to mitigate all charges against him and gain reinstatement. That way he could have had the option of playing here next season or coming out for the NFL draft with a fairly clean slate.
Even though the charge of criminal property damage was the offense that got him kicked off the team it is the two domestic violence misdemeanors that will be the albatross around his neck when he pursues his options to either play at some collegiate level or to play for pay. The perception of him in whatever option he pursues will be he got kicked off the team because of domestic violence.
I think student athletes should be held to a higher standard since they receive a scholarship and represent the University of Hawaii with the general public and not just football fans. The question is whether players deserve a second chance. Kennedy has received a second chance from the courts but subject to court conditions for a four year period that if breached would lead to a conviction and sentencing. I think this poses the question of whether or not the UH should grant KT a second chance as well. The way to decide this is through a hearing (which I believe KT has a right to according to language in the Student Athlete Code of Conduct).
Sorry to say this but KT take your game to the mainland.
Save your football carrer.
Uh don’t care to have it resolved.
Rodney #31, what do you have to say about Alabama Crimson Tide’s football player arrests; six so far this year? I don’t think this will deter Alabama’s success in recruiting the best players in the nation. These kinds of things occur at most D1 college football teams. You are dealing with 18-20 year olds. See referenced news reports. UH, IMO, has been very successful in recruiting quality student-athletes in all sports and puts forth a quality athletic program.
Referenced new reports:
http://bamahammer.com/2016/09/29/alabama-football-tim-williams-arrested/
http://www.wsfa.com/story/24496861/5-star-freshman-crimson-tide-football-player-arrested
http://abc3340.com/sports/university-of-alabama/two-alabama-football-players-arrested-in-louisiana
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/alabama-football-player-arrested-days-article-1.2168687
Whats the over/under Brown will fumble the next game lol
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=39784