Feature story on Inoke Funaki

About his "Uncle Funaki" nickname, Inoke Funaki (who is 26 years old) said:
"A lot of the younger boys call me tha. I always do my best to keep them in line, make sure they go to class. It's something I enjoy." (HSB)

About how Inoke never complains about his position switches or lack of playing time, Ron Lee said:
"He went through the whole thing, never complained, always focused on the meetings. Everything you asked of him. Always a great teammate. Just a joy." (HSB)

HSB Note: "THE 2002 Kahuku High graduate traces his values back to his family-oriented upbringing on the North Shore. He estimated that at any time, there were 10 to 12 members of his family and extended family under one roof. In his Tongan culture, cousins are treated the same as brothers and sisters."

About growing up with such a big extended family, Inoke said:
"In my family, there is no 'my,' only 'ours.'" (HSB)

HSB Note :"He supported his older brother, Vai, in much the same way as his future UH teammates when Vai was the Red Raiders' starting QB in 2000 and Inoke was the sophomore backup. When Inoke was a senior and Vai went off to college, his eldest brother, Kolo, came home and picked up the slack in support."

About the support he got from his brother Kolo when he played for Kahuku, Inoke said:
"I'd watch old film, I'd be running for a touchdown, (Kolo) would be sprinting along the sidelines, waving with a towel." (HSB)

About his first career touchdown pass, a 24-yard pass to Greg Salas in 2007, Inoke said:
"I remember how excited Colt was for me. Also Tyler and the other guys who were in front of me. You feel the support, and just from that I felt that it does really make a difference, just knowing that your teammates are supporting you and rooting you on. Sometimes you think it just goes unnoticed, that you're just wasting your breath or something. 'Does he hear me?' But when I got out there, they were doing the same thing to me. You feel it, and helped me to realize all this matters." (HSB)

Not complaining about being moved from QB to RB, Inoke said:
"Of course there's a lot of different thoughts. But the bottom line is not about me, it's about we. I've always learned growing up from my family, from my parents, and what I've learned in church, is to try to be selfless." (HSB)

HSB Note: "Uncle 'Noke is working on his masters degree in psychology, but has a keen interest in coaching as well."

Praising Inoke, Ron Lee said:
"It's hard to find a guy like him." (HSB)

http://www.starbulletin.com/specialprojects/09/football/20090918_Warriors_senior_citizen.html