Record-setting QB to join UH

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

A record-setting quarterback from California and a former Punahou School athlete have agreed to join the University of Hawai'i football team.

Preston Maloney, who is 6 feet 3 and 195 pounds, broke several of Randall Cunningham's passing records at Santa Barbara High last season. Cunningham is a former All-Pro quarterback who played with the Baltimore Ravens last year.

Nainoa Kuna, a 6-foot, 180-pound receiver, attended Westchester High in Los Angeles this year after transferring from Punahou. Although he played cornerback and safety last season, he is expected to be used at receiver, where he has drawn comparisons to Tafiti Uso, a former Punahou and UH wideout.

"I think Hawai'i is a good fit," said Maloney, whose older brother recently moved to Honolulu.

Maloney slipped under the recruiting radar after suffering a compound fracture in his left — nonthrowing — arm as a junior. But last season, he broke several of Cunningham's school records after passing for 26 touchdowns and more than 2,900 yards. He set a single-game record with 510 passing yards.

A family friend in Atlanta gave Maloney's highlight tape to former NFL quarterback Bobby Hebert, who then called UH coach June Jones.

"I was real excited when the Hawai'i coaches called and told me they were interested," Maloney said. "They run the same offense as we did in high school."

Maloney was a shooting guard in basketball, a setter in volleyball and a member of the high school golf team. In his spare time, he surfs.

Kuna also has ties to UH. His father, Steve, and Ron Lee, who coaches the receivers, were St. Louis School classmates.

Kuna attended Punahou through his junior year before transferring to Westchester.

Kuna suffered an injury early in his senior season, and when he returned, he was used at cornerback and safety. But with his size and quickness, he is projected to compete at left wide receiver.