Mailo's on mission for family

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

WAILUKU, Maui — A show of faith comes in many forms, and four years ago in Japan, it appeared as a 6-foot-3, 325-pound human eclipse.

Former University of Southern California football player Faaesea Mailo, in the final year of a mission for the Mormon church, crouched at doorways, offering to share his faith.

There was some acceptance, but many more rejections. In all, the experience prepared him for the daily trials he now faces.

"We've been through some difficult times," said Mailo, who will play in tomorrow's Hula Bowl Maui. "There's been trial after trial, but we're doing OK. We have our faith."

During a beach outing last summer in California, his younger brother, Fulutusi, dived into knee-high water. But Fulutusi did not realize there was a sandbar beneath the murky water, and he suffered a broken neck from the impact.

Despite surgery, Fulutusi was paralyzed from the chest down.

Even now, Mailo said of his brother, "He has some range of motion in his shoulders, elbows and wrists, but he can't move his fingers."

While the family remains hopeful, Mailo admitted, the situation, "at the moment, is pretty negative."

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"It was a lot easier for the family to move there than to transport him back here," Mailo said. "We're hoping to get everything situated for him, to give him everything he needs."

The family is staying with relatives, and Mailo's father, James, recently was hired by the City of Glendale. Well-wishers donated a specially made computer and helped pay for Fulutusi's medical bills.

"We're grateful for people's help and support," Mailo said. "It's helped make things a little more bearable."

Mailo said he considered quitting school to help support his family. But his parents convinced him it was in his best interest to earn a college degree. He agreed, but there have been anxious moments.

"We played against Oregon, and somebody got hurt pretty seriously," he said. "Right then and there, I had flashbacks of my brother. I was kind of worried about the guy. I'm trying to beat up on Oregon, but things like that happen. It made me feel a little concerned."

Mailo said his brother was active in sports before the accident, "and it's hard for us to see him the way he is. But he's been a ray of joy. His spirits have been high throughout this whole ordeal. He's always been like that. He's always been happy. He's actually helped all of us cope with this."

Mailo, a Kahuku High graduate, said the long-range goal is for Fulutusi and the family to return to the Islands.

"My mom and dad don't want to live in L.A.," Mailo said. "It's more of a must situation. They have to be there for the sake of my brother, to get him adjusted. Maybe in a few years they will move back to our little home in Waialua. My little brother and sister are going to school in L.A., but they miss Kahuku."

Mailo was the Trojans' only senior starting offensive lineman last season. He hopes to parlay a good showing in the Hula Bowl into a possible professional career.

"It would be great if I could have the opportunity to go pro and help out my family," he said. "It's not going to be easy financially. I want to be able to do as much as I can for them."