A highly recruited offensive lineman from Kailua High has accepted a scholarship offer from the University of Hawai‘i football team.
The 6-foot-3, 280-pound Lokahi Travis will put his commitment in writing on Feb. 7, the first day high school seniors may sign NCAA letters of intent.
Travis also received scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Colorado and Arizona. But, according to Kailua coach Darren Johnson, Travis’ choice created little suspense.
"He wears tank tops, shorts and slippers to school," Johnson said. "He wants to live in Hawai‘i the rest of his life. Hawai‘i was his choice from the get-go."
Johnson said Travis was ready to accept UH’s offer several months ago, but was coaxed into waiting until after his recruiting visit to the Manoa campus.
"It was an easy decision," said Travis’ grandmother, Leilani Ostrowski. "He always wanted to go to the UH."
Travis attended Nanakuli High as a freshman, then transferred to Kailua High after moving in with Ostrowski.
He played center during his first two seasons at Kailua and left guard as a senior. He also was used at nose tackle.
"He did a great job of blocking," said Johnson, adding that Travis averaged six "pancake" blocks per game.
Travis was named to The Advertiser’s 2000 All-State Football Team.
Johnson said Travis can bench press 225 pounds 26 times. He also played basketball and competed in the shot put.
"He’s a strong, athletic guy," Johnson said.
Earlier, the Warriors signed defensive end Hiram Travis of El Camino College in Torrance, Calif., and offensive tackle Mike Holt of Grand Rapids (Mich.) Community College.
They also received verbal commitments from running back Pesefea Fiaseu of St. Louis School, Kaimuki High receivers Justin Faimealelei and Kila Kamakawiwo‘ole, and Virginia high school receiver/running back Nate Ilaoa.
Fiaseu was The Advertiser’s state offensive player of the year in 2000. The Washington Post named Ilaoa as the Metro Area offensive player of the year.
