Kaimuki star won't join UH

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Another recruit will postpone his University of Hawai'i football career.

Wide receiver Justin Faimealelei of Kaimuki High will either attend a junior college or delay enrolling at UH until next year.

At Kaimuki, the 6-foot-1 Faimealelei played wide receiver, linebacker, safety, punter, placekicker and served as a back-up quarterback. He also returned kicks.

He was named to The Advertiser's all-state team. O'ahu Interscholastic Association coaches selected him as the Red Conference Player of the Year.

Earlier, all-state offensive lineman Lokahi Travis of Kailua High announced he would attend the College of the Canyons (Calif.) for two years before returning to UH, and defensive tackle Isaak Sopoaga said he needed another semester to earn an associate degree, an NCAA eligibility requirement for a player transferring from a junior college. Sopoaga will enroll at UH in January.

Defensive back Jean Elise signed a letter of intent with UH in February. He faxed a copy of the letter to UH, but never sent the letter. The NCAA considers a faxed copy to be a binding document, and Elise will not be allowed to play for another NCAA team for a year. Still, UH does not expect Elise to report to training camp.

Defensive lineman Hiram Travis denied a published report he was leaving the team. "I'll be back in Hawai'i in two weeks," Travis said in a telephone interview from his home in California.

Also:

• Offensive lineman Keola Loo, who was expected to serve as a backup at three positions, will not play this year to focus more on academics.
• Ken Witherspoon, a redshirt freshman who was auditioning at running back, returned to his home in Michigan. He is expected to transfer to a junior college.
• Another Michigan resident, offensive lineman Will Jackson, decided not to return to the Warriors this season. He redshirted last season because of an infection on his back.
• Offensive lineman Derek Johnson transferred to Portland State, where he will enroll in the Native American Studies program.

"He's a great kid and everybody loved him," said Mike Cavanaugh, who coaches the UH offensive line. "I'll miss him. But he wanted to go to a school with a Native American program, and Portland State has one of the best."

Meanwhile, quarterback Jared Flint said he is fully recovered from last year's shoulder surgery. The right-handed Flint suffered a tear in about 20 percent of his right rotator cuff. He underwent surgery last August.

"They said it's a nine-to-12-month recovery period, and I've finished 12 months," he said. "The arm is getting stronger."

He said he can throw up to 50 yards.

Flint, a senior, is petitioning the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility. He attended Indiana in 1997, but did not play. He then played two years in junior college before transferring to UH last year. Without receiving a medical hardship, this will be his final collegiate season.

2001 UH schedule

Sept. 8: Montana at Maui

Sept. 15: at Nevada

Sept. 29: Rice

Oct. 6: at So. Methodist

Oct. 13: Texas-El Paso

Oct. 20: at Tulsa

Oct. 26: Fresno State

Nov. 3: San Jose State

Nov. 10: Boise State

Nov. 17: Miami (Ohio)

Nov. 24: Air Force

Dec. 1: Brigham Young