Tulimasealii, Gifford suspended
After this morning’s practice, head coach Nick Rolovich announced defensive tackles Kennedy Tulimasealii and Ka‘au Gifford have been suspended for an indefinite period following their arrests on misdemeanor accusations on Tuesday morning.
Both players will remain on scholarship and allowed to attend classes and study hall, but are excluded from team-related activities. Further decisions will be made after more information is collected. The will not participate in the rest of spring training, which runs through April 29.
Tulimasealii is scheduled to be arraigned on two domestic abuse charges on April 26. On May 10, Tulimasealii will be arraigned on harassment and resisting arrest charges, and Gifford will be arraigned on one count of obstruction.
Rolovich said his team responded well with a strong practice this morning.
“This is what happens in life,” Rolovich said. “You’ve just got to face a little adversity and move on. I think what we talked about is this team, in the face of adversity, hasn’t always responded with the right mindset, and I thought they did this morning.”
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Today’s alumni:
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They had a little competition involving the gamut drill from the combine. Here are the videos:
Samiuela Akoteu video
Manly “Pumbaa” Williams video
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From the red-zone drills:
Good morning, Tsaikos!
Prayers for KT and KG, may the Lord light their paths.
Happy to see the Warriors have taken this in stride.
Mahalo for the updates, Stephen,
GO WARRIORS!!!
I notice that players have lost the clean
shaven and short haircuts.
Certainly a different attitude.
Total opposite of Chow.
Next Warrior Up! Freshman/New guys, time to go get it…
Hopefully once Giffords obstuction gets dropped, he gets reinstated and can do community service for punishment. It really is pretty minor. He would have been charged with something a lot more serious if he actually physically tried to harm an officer.
#5
Obstruction of justice IS serious. The initial report said he pushed an officer. Look, everyone makes mistakes, we all have things in our past that we aren’t very proud of. But to say what Gifford did was “pretty minor” is ridiculous! Anytime you get arrested is not “minor”.
These players are on scholarship for a free education from our tax dollars. I give Rolo credit for dealing with it in a timely and fair manor.
I hope the players involved will be able to make retribution and “LIVE ALOHA, PLAY WARRIOR”
DSJ-natural instinct is to run over the tackler by putting head down first. We all done that. Instructions these days is to keep your head up, easier said than done.
Austin Gerard -We need to be on our feet and wrapping up. Easier said than done when the one you tackling is bigger than you.
Stay healthy -Play smart-Hopefully no injuries
Aloha gang
#6
“These players are on scholarship for a free education from our tax dollars.”
I donʻt think it is totally free.
these kids put their body, mind, and soul on the line for the university of Hawaiʻi, State of Hawaiʻi, and All of Polynesia.
Football brings in most of the $$$ for the University Athletic program.
I feel KG is a good teammate/friend/brother for standing up for KT no matter what the situation was.
I remember my college coaches always saying; ” A teammate who is back to back with you in a bar fight is the type of teammate you need to Win. its a brotherhood.”
its a crappy situation, but at least they went down together. That is what loyalty is, that is what brotherhood is, that is ʻOhana.
I believe things will get better, and all of this stupidity will blow over.
#DefendprideRock #loyal2dasoil #liveAloha
How has Diocemy looked this spring? I think we will have a great 1-2 punch at RB if he is healthy… (Not to mention Lakalaka)
6. Oh My God!!! He pushed/pulled an officer off his roommate???? He must be the worst human being ever! He is an endangerment to society!!!! LOL!
I find it absolutely hilarious how context is blown completely out of proportion by politically correct brainwashed people.
In any other situation where a person pulls off 2 people who are tackling a friend or family member of theirs would NEVER be judged. But because it was “2 officers” who were on top of someone, now we just act like the kid injured somebody when he harmed absolutely NO ONE! Context is important. Gifford is not the person that got charged with domestic abuse and was not the person cops were trying tackle.
One of your best friends is on the floor being taken down naked, crying, possibly in a lot of pain… And were going to knock a kid for thinking it was right to help that friend without causing violence. Sorry, I’m still appalled by the ridiculous response earlier.
I have to agree with you Jeezy. The police are taught to phrase a report that is different from how a common person might say it. The police might say someone driving a car was trying to hit them while all the person was doing was trying to escape.
Kennedy was in a bad relationship. Let’s hope he sees its not working and moves on before he ruins his life
In response to Frannyk, I think the actions taken against Kennedy appears to be warranted. But I feel HPD overreacted with regard to Ka’au’s action. We will find out soon enough what happened during this unfortunate incident.
As for the team, I am real happy to read that they are moving forward and practiced with a good attitude and enthusiasm.
ST did he make it?
Just great.
Drama before the NCAA looks at Hawaii’s appeal to overturn next season’s post-season ban.
There is no “next man up” for a middling team like Hawaii.
It would be a devastating blow to excuse Tuimasealii from the team.
Jason Elam looks a little like Paul Rudd.
No one here has any idea how Gifford acted. Some say he shoved a police officer. Others say he tried to cover KT with a blanket or whatever. None of it confirmed. Those of you trying to say that is no big deal that he pushed the cop are missing the point … police officers yield a different level of authority than some random guys taking down your friend. It is not the same situation at all. That is just a fact. Whether you like it or not, it is what it is. Whether it was right for him to get arrested or not, we don’t know because we weren’t there.
If he in fact did push the cop, it doesn’t make him a bad person. It was a stupid move, because everyone should know how that will play out. But not something that he needs to be wholly condemned for either.
Let’s focus on what we do know … this has hurt the team, people involved are hurting (girlfriend, KT, KG), and fans are going haywire. Go easy on each other.
Wow, the question we all should be asking is, Are we staring at our 6th losing season?.. The kid is/was the cornerstone of the revamped defense. What can we all to prevent that? The 6th Losing Season.
And what did the coaches do or didn’t do to prevent something like this from happening.
I think the athletic dept and the university admin better do a lot better job of protecting their athletic future and investments other wise why bother.
Sad situation for the young man, but whatever happens, I think his college playing days are far from over. If they decide to dismiss him, I have no doubt another school will pick him up. In a way, it could be a blessing in disguise like former Warriors who were given a second chance and ended up having impressive careers during the the June and Mac years.
I was at a party at a friends house one Saturday evening many, many moons ago in high school
a friend wanted to use a car so the driver started to move the key to the borrower – I happened to be the 3rd person to pass the key – there was a single car accident with no injuries
yet, I was arrested and charged as an accomplice and went to court – my Dad’s lawyer told me to plead “nolo contendre” and I asked why not knowing what it really meant – guess today it’s called “no contest”
the Judge asked me what happened and I told him someone asked for car keys and I was one of 4 people who touched the keys – none of the others were identified or arrested – the police officer had a dislike towards me – Judge threw the case out and chastised the officer for being so obtuse
police officers may be held to a different standard, yet I witness so many of them violating traffic codes, parking in no parking zone or on the street to order food or other things that make me wonder why I need to show them respect
kind makes me feel like it’s Ferguson, MO.
Just hope that they can get the best deal facing the Judge!
Well, KT’s neighbor was just trying to be a good neighbor in trying to save the life of screaming girl… And the police were just trying to be good cops.
But, sad, if only it could have gone down differently…
Re: 11
For some reason, after seeing DT demonishing the OL at Ohio State and Michigan and every team we faced, I can’t picture him on the ground crying.
No question with DT on the team, we can be super.
But unfortunately when a Cop is subduing a person that may have committed an offense, and you try to intervene, the Cop has no other thought other than someone is trying to interfere with his duties.
There’s a nice article/interview of/with new linebackers’ coach, Sean Duggan on the Hawaii Athletics web site; http://hawaiiathletics.com/news/2016/4/14/football-linebackers-thriving-under-duggans-youthful-demanding-leadership.aspx?path=football
#18 … there are absolutely, 100% positively cops out there that don’t deserve the higher regard that they get. I have had been mistreated by the police on more than one occasion. The point is, the simple fact that they are police officers has to give civilians pause when interacting with them.
Who knows how justified KG was for trying to intervene or not. Just gotta use restraint. It will always be your word against theirs.
Once c
Great Afternoon All!
Imua Warriors!
Reminds me of when I was wrongly accused and cited by a cop. I pleaded with the officer and she said “tell it to the judge.” So I did. I contested the charge in court and the judge asked me if I had anything to say. I explained the whole situation. The judge told me “well, I wasn’t there. The court finds you guilty.”
Always your word against theirs.
NFL Schedule is out.
Smahhht da buggahs! Put the Titans in San Diego on the same weekend as the Warriors.
(BTW, also the same week as SEMA Show in LV 😉 )
#24
Funny dat commercial…
Hey Officer, how about a warning?
Warning, here comes a ticket!
yeah, jeezy. you’re sounding really dumb right now. and it has nothing to do with “politically correct brainwashed people” (whatever that means). you do realize that obstruction of justice is a class C felony in hawaii, right? he could also get slapped with assault charge by the officer if the officer wanted to be a dick about it even if it might not stand in court, and that’s also a felony charge.
it doesn’t really matter what the context is, because there’s a HUGE difference between pushing off two randoms assaulting your friend and two law enforcement officers attempting to detain a suspect in a domestic violence case who is resisting arrest. HUGE HUGE difference. stop being silly.
“yo. they’re brothers! ride together and die together!” to excuse Gifford’s action is also stupid. nobody is saying gifford is scum of the earth for this (however if kennedy actually is guilty of domestic violence, then he is pretty much scum), but he made a series of incredibly stupid choices that night. incredibly stupid.
That “tat” Vince Manuwai has of the UH logo is …AWESOME… !!!!!
#’s 8,10
So as far as you’re concerned, it’s ok to interfere with an arrest? He was just backing up his teammate….he didn’t cause any bodily harm? Those are excuses!
We live in a society of laws. If you break the law, then there are consequences. I feel for the players who are involved in this. But you have to be able to make the right decisions. HAWAII NEWS NOW is reporting that this is not the first time KT has been involved in violence at that apartment. The roommates there fearing for their safety and filing for a TRO.
I hope they work it out. But for #8,10 to not hold these student athletes responsible and for others to even blame the police is absurd.
LIVE ALOHA, PLAY WARRIOR!
jeezy appears to not understand that obstruction of justice is a class C felony in the state of hawaii, and that there’s a huge difference between pushing off two random dudes who are jumping your friends, and physically interfering/assaulting two officers trying to detain a suspect for a domestic violence case who is resisting arrest.
Jason Elam and Vince Manuwai! More heavy hitters showing up at the practices. I’m sure the cops have multiple video’s of what went down. Don’t they all have body and dash cams now?
Repent–Forgive–Turn to God
Acts 13
38 *”Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins.39 Everyone who believes in him is declared right with God—something the law of Moses could never do.
“Continue to rely on the grace of God.”
Proverbs 3
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
oh no we suck again
Jeremiah 13
16 Give glory to the LORD your God
before it is too late.
Acknowledge him before he brings darkness upon you,
causing you to stumble and fall on the darkening mountains.
For then, when you look for light,
you will find only terrible darkness and gloom.
Proverbs 8
13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.
Isaiah 11
4 He will give justice to the poor
and make fair decisions for the exploited.
The earth will shake at the force of his word,
and one breath from his mouth will destroy the wicked.
Job 12
10 For the life of every living thing is in his hand,
and the breath of every human being.
29. Yes Mr Politically correct… Again, you’re quick to point at the law without paying attention to actual context. You’re probably the same kind a person that thinks an 18 year old can go to prison for being in a relationship with someone 17 because of the law.
I’ll just wait and laugh when these charges get dropped.
29. Actual Counselor must not be an Actual Counselor if he thinks that “obstruction of justice” is a class C felony. First of all, there is no such offense in the Hawaii Penal Code. Section 710-1010: Obstructing Government Operations, is a misdemeanor offense, punishable by up to one year in jail and/or a $2,000 fine. The actor has to intend to obstruct, impair or hinder the enforcement of the penal law or the preservation of the peace by a law enforcement officer acting under color of the law enforcement officer’s official authority . . .
So . . . even if KG pushed the officer, did he do it with the intent to prevent the arrest?
In my experience, whenever a person is charged with resisting arrest, one of two things happened. First, the person actually physically resisted the officer’s attempt to arrest him. Or, police officers charge a person who was not actually resisting with the offense of resisting arrest in order to justify their excessive use of force. FYI: my experience 28+ years as an “actual counselor.”
Lucid and cogent counselor Nasti.
Lots of armchair lawyers here. There actually is an obstruction of justice in HRS which is a class c felony, but it probably doesn’t apply for Gifford, which is what Actual Counselor or whatever his name was talking about. KT is reported to have fought with officers (while apparently butt naked) and needed pepper spray and the use of force to take him down and arrest him. I’m pretty sure that could be enough grounds for HPD to slap a resisting arrest charge, because usually violence against officers in the course of an arrest usually is enough to qualify as “resisting,” and in certain jurisdictions, it could take it up to a felony level.
Being a counselor (I’m assuming this means in the school system) for 28 years doesn’t add any kind of credibility to someone’s statement about law unless by “counselor” you mean “lawyer.”
Gifford made an incredibly poor choice to try to push officers off of his friend who was being arrested by officers.
As far as Jeezy33’s comments go, I believe he’s off the mark, here. “Politically Correct” is a term that’s thrown around to try and undercut someone’s credibility making an argument like “oh, he’s just being too sensitive.” Also, the “18 year old going out with a 17 year old” example really isn’t relevant to anything at all, because that has nothing to do with what Actual Counselor said.
In any context, interfering with LEOs carrying out an arrest is a really dumb decision. Really dumb. Whether or not Gifford gets charged with anything, who knows. The prosecutor may not think it’s worth it to take to court and might focus on KT instead. Either way, it doesn’t excuse his actions, and I’m sure if you ask him if what he did was the right move, he would probably say the same as well. Just stupid choices all around and an unfortunate series of life choices from KT.
Sorry, the legal speak stay too complicated for me. It’s just me, but in the old days if a police officer said “stop,” you stopped. If the officer said to “come here,” you went there. If the officer said to “keep quiet,” you shut up. If the officer was pilau, then you got his name and tag.
I just hope things work out for the best for all of the parties. Hard life lesson, no doubt. Not that it would have helped, but this is one of the reasons Texas coach Charlie Strong wanted all of his players living on campus. The team needs to move on with a depleted D-line.
New post:
http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=36937