Feature on the Hawaii kids now playing Pop Warner football in Vegas

KGMB Note: "Make no mistake, there is a football pipeline from Las Vegas to Hawaii that starts with these seven year olds out of Henderson. They are the Island Warriors with helmets like UH. The jerseys have names like "Kahananui", and this team has a number 15 that could be the next Colt Brennan."

About how they got the kids together from the Hawaii families that moved to Vegas, Nua Agatonu (Island Warriors President) said:
"A lot of us moved from Hawaii and we just got all the kids together in in Las Vegas and formed a team in 2003." (KGMB)

Asked how many of their kids have local connections, Agatonu said:
"About 85% on this team." (KGMB)

KGMB Note: "When Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin came by to see them practice, the warriors welcomed him with a Haa. It was taught to them by former UH linebacker Brad Kalilimoku."

About the Ha'a that he taught the kids, Brad Kalilimoku said:
"I was told it was a story about a pig, he was running away from a bunch of hunters, and the way the pig would breath would sound like 'ha he hoo.' So it was a way for him to try fight back and stuff and that's the way I try to put the meaning into the team and haa and stuff. That they're the warriors fight back." (KGMB)

KGMB Note: "Brad, his brother Chad, and even Chad Kapanui, all former Hawaii players, are active supporters of this pop warner squad, because they're hoping to coach them one day. Just like they are the local players at Liberty High School."

About the explosion in Hawaii kids at Liberty High School, Chad Kapanui said:
"Couple of years ago at Liberty High School, there were just about four Polynesians. Now there's like hundreds of them so that's what we're trying to build as coaches." (KGMB)

KGMB Note: "Some are already calling these Warriors the New York Yankees of football in Las Vegas, they are proven champions with more than 20 titles in all divisions."

http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/21218/40/