Feature on starting MLB Mana Lolotai

About how Lolotai took over his MLB spot after he was hurt, Brashton said:
"I told Mana: 'It's your job now.' " (HA)

About how Lolotai improved this offseason, Cal Lee said:
"He dedicated himself to getting quicker, faster, stronger." (HA)

HA Note: "Lolotai spent four weeks in Arizona participating in trainer Chad Ikei's intensive workout program. Lolotai was placed on a strict low-carb diet — small portions, frequent light snacks, lots of salads — and focused on footwork and speed drills."

About the benefit Lolotai got from going through Chad Ikei's program, Cal Lee said:
"He came back in excellent shape." (HA)

About how he thinks Lolotai will do well, Brashton said:
"I think he's going to have a good year." (HA)

About how Brashton has been helping him, Lolotai said:
"Brashton has been helping me a lot." (HA)

HA Note: "Each day, Lolotai goes to the defensive conference room, where he watches freshly edited videos of practices. Alongside Satele and Lee, Lolotai would review his play in practice."

About the daily practice video reviews, Lolotai said:
"I'm more of a visual person. I have to see (the wide picture), then make my corrections." (HA)

HA Note: "The videos show a panoramic view of the offensive and defensive formations."

About what he sees in the videos, Lolotai said:
"You can see all of the routes, and what the receivers are doing, what they try to do when they line up in certain formations." (HA)

HA Note: "He said his improved condition — he lost more than 10 pounds and reduced his body fat to 11 percent this summer — enables him to cover more turf."

About the importance of the improvement he made this offseason, Lolotai said:
"Getting faster was a big thing. And I wanted to get my lungs ready. I want to play stronger (deeper) in games." (HA)

HA Note: "Lolotai was born with the football gene. His grandfather, Al Lolotai, was the first National Football League player of Samoan ancestry. His father and uncles were standout local high school defensive players. As a Kamehameha senior in 2006, Lolotai signed with Oregon State. But because of family commitments, he remained in Hawai'i, attending a private college during the 2006-2007 academic year. During that time, he and his wife, Shaela, had a daughter, Zaiah. Today is Zaiah's third birthday."

About the sacrifices that were made during the 2006-2007 academic year, Lolotai said:
"It was tough that year, working and going to school. I wasn't working out like I should have been. But my wife and family really stuck by me. They made a lot of sacrifices. They really motivated me. I owe them a lot." (HA)

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