Lone Warrior: Kaniela Tuipulotu

By Jason Kaneshiro

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 25, 2010 

Kaniela Tuipulotu's return to Aloha Stadium next week offers both a fresh start and another shot at an old nemesis.

As Hawaii hones its game plan for its season-opening matchup with USC, Tuipulotu is the lone Warrior who can draw on personal experience in his preparations.

The former Kahuku standout traded paint with the Trojans during his two years at Arizona and will line up across from them a third time when he makes his Hawaii debut a week from tomorrow.

"I'm 0-2 versus USC, so hopefully we can pull out a victory," said Tuipulotu, who played in Arizona's 17-10 loss to the Trojans in 2008.

"You always get pumped for a big team like that, but once you get out there it's another team. You go through your reads, play hard and play fast. ... When you play teams like that, you have to bring your 'A' game and nothing less because if you're not ready they're going to smash on you. You can't waste a day out here because they're working hard and they're going to be ready for a game."

Tuipulotu hasn't savored the adrenaline of game day since leaving the field following Arizona's victory over BYU in the Las Vegas Bowl to close the 2008 season.

Tuipulotu transferred to Hawaii last year and spent a season on the periphery due to NCAA transfer rules, a period that coincided with his recovery from shoulder surgery. He's now back to full health and full verve after he "lost my fire for football" during his stay in Arizona.

After an all-state senior season at Kahuku, Tuipulotu was among the state's most coveted recruits and signed with the Wildcats. He broke into the defensive line as a true freshman, seeing action in seven games. He continued to see significant playing time as a sophomore, but hit a point where football became "a chore."

Injuries didn't help matters and when it became apparent his shoulders would require surgery and a year away from the field, he obtained his release from Arizona to initiate the transfer process and enrolled at UH last fall.

Immersed in island life again but in the unfamiliar role of observer, he rediscovered his passion for football during that redshirt season.

"Now I'm back, I'm having fun again and I'm enjoying every moment I'm out here with my teammates," Tuipulotu said.

"I can't wait to get back out there and do whatever I can to help the team, help with the run, rushing the passer, anything to be out there."

Tuipulotu brings experience to a defensive tackle rotation that includes junior Vaughn Meatoga and sophomores Haku Correa and Geordon Hanohano.

UH defensive line coach Tony Tuioti said Tuipulotu hovered around 320 pounds when he joined the program. He was down to 310 for spring ball and enters the season in the 290 range. His improved conditioning is allowing him to better endure the grind in the middle of the line of scrimmage.

"You really need to play all those guys, it's not like any other position," Tuioti said. "You're asking them to do a lot of things ... and they have to be in shape and be able to run. Kani's done a great job getting himself into shape and putting in the hard work needed. I'm excited to see him play on Sept. 2.

"He's got a lot of experience and played at a high level and we're going to need to draw from that as we get into the season. ... He brings a physical presence inside and we need that, especially facing a lot of the running teams we're going to see."

A countdown in the Warriors' weight room has gradually tracked the days remaining until the USC game. The count dropped into single digits yesterday, bringing Tuipulotu ever closer to that rush of surging out of the locker room -- enhanced this time by his renewed perspective.

"It's something you don't really feel anywhere else," Tuipulotu said. "You feel alive when you come out of the tunnel. And I'll probably feel 10 times more alive coming out at Aloha Stadium."

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UH adds defensive end

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

Moanalua High's Ipulasi Eselu plays rush end, but his college choice was not made in haste.

"I thought about it, and I'm going to be a Warrior," said Eselu, who accepted a scholarship offer from the Hawai'i football team. "My family is here. They can come and support me."

Eselu is the 12th member of UH's 2010 recruiting class.

Eselu said he is 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds.

Moanalua head coach Arnold Martinez said Eselu was used as a stand-up end, essentially an outside linebacker, but projects to play defensive end in college.

"We needed a strong outside backer, and he was the first candidate," Martinez said. "He was easy to coach there. And I think it helped his footwork. He was able to cover (pass) routes."

His older brother, Savaii Eselu, is a tight end for California.

"I think he's going to grow," Martinez said of Ipulasi Eselu. "His brother is 6-5, and his dad is huge."

Martinez also praised Eselu's workmanlike attitude.

"He doesn't take a play off," Martinez said. "For me, it's a blessing to coach him. His dad and his family did a great job with him. That starts in the home."

Eselu said he was raised as a Warrior fan. He also looked up to former UH quarterback Tim Chang and slotback/returner Chad Owens.

"They were inspirations," Eselu said. "They did very well for the state. They made us look real good."

Eselu said he has not decided which field to pursue in college.

Martinez praised Eselu as "an awesome kid. He tries very hard to do well academically. He's not a guy you have to babysit. When he's not studying or in class, he's with us. He's going to listen, and he's going to work hard.

"He has a very high football IQ," Martinez added. "He picks up the theory of whatever we're trying to accomplish. It's almost like having another coach on the field."

Eselu is the second Moanalua player to commit, following offensive lineman Frank Loyd.

"They're both very good players," Martinez said.

Earlier, UH received commitments from quarterback Kevin Spain of Paradise Valley High (Ariz.), slotbacks Samson Anguay of Campbell High and Corey Lau of Kailua High; wideout Christian "Bubba" Poueu-Luna of Great Oaks High (Calif.); offensive linemen David Lefotu of Pearl City High and London Sapolu of Orange Coast College; defensive linemen Calen Friel of Kailua, Viliami "Pep" Fonokalafi of Kaimuki High and Charles Tuaau of Leilehua High, and linebacker Dominic Sierra of La Habra High.

UH signs Sapolu's son

By Stephen Tsai
HawaiiWarriorBeat.com Editor

London Sapolu, the son of one of the greatest University of Hawai'i football players, has accepted a scholarship from the Warriors.

Sapolu will play his sophomore season at Orange Coast Community College, then transfer to UH in January. He will have two seasons of NCAA eligibility.

Sapolu, who is 6 feet 1 and 295 pounds, played defensive tackle last season. He will start at center this season.

Sapolu turned down an offer from Tennessee, opting to follow in the cleats of his father, Jesse Sapolu.

"I had other options, but after sitting down with my family and my dad — and being half Samoan and half Hawaiian — everybody thought I would be more comfortable in Hawai'i," London Sapolu said.

Jesse Sapolu said: "I'm happy he's going to become a Warrior. I think Hawai'i will be a more comfortable atmosphere for him. I always wanted at least one of my sons to go to my alma mater. I'm happy they're representing the name."

London Sapolu said he did not realize that his father was a football legend "until after he retired from football."

Jesse Sapolu won four Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers.

London Sapolu said he was "4 or 5" when his father won his last Super Bowl ring.

"They still tell me a story about how they wanted to take me to a Super Bowl, but I told them I'd rather stay in the hotel and watch the Power Rangers," London said, laughing.

Jesse Sapolu said his son "is going to surprise a lot of people. In my opinion, he's a pretty good player."

London Sapolu plays guitar and 'ukulele. He also designs and administers tattoos. He owns his own tattoo machine. But like a skinny chef, he said, "My dad doesn't want me to have any (tattoos)."

He received his unique name from a city where his father played two NFL exhibition games. Because two elder siblings have names beginning with "L," he said, "My mom said, 'it's either London or Larry.' "

Now, it's his hope, he will both carry on and make a name at UH.

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