Defensive lineman commits to Hawai'i

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Albert "Abu" Ma'afala Jr., an all-state football player from the Kamehameha Schools, has accepted a football scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

Albert "Abu" Ma'afala Jr. received advice from his uncles. Advertiser library photo

"Chris helped me out with recruiting," Ma'afala said. "He told me from the get-go, 'See where God shows you where to go.' I was praying on it, and I realized Hawai'i was the best option for me."

Ma'afala said his uncle Nick also was helpful, even while he was battling leukemia. After returning home from a hospital stay, "he went over, frame by frame, a videotape of one of my games," Ma'afala said. "He taught me how to strengthen my mind. ... He told me to stay home. I'm doing it for him a little. He told me how much it meant to play at UH."

Ma'afala took recruiting visits to Washington and Oregon. "I weighed all of my options, and it came out to Hawai'i," Ma'afala said. "I felt really comfortable there. I realized how special Hawai'i is to me."

Ma'afala said he was impressed with the UH coaches, particularly head coach June Jones. "He didn't try to rush me," Ma'afala said. "He told me, 'You know how we feel about you.' "

Ma'afala, who is 6 feet 2 and 260 pounds, is projected to play defensive tackle at UH. He has arranged to work out with Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Kimo von Oelhoffen, a Moloka'i High graduate.