Kainoa Akina to join UH football

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

AKINA: Son of Duane Akina

Clement Kainoa Akina, a quarterback who started seven games as a true freshman last season, notified Eastern Michigan coaches of his intent to transfer, family members in Texas confirmed last night.

Akina is the son of Duane Akina, a former Punahou School standout and UH football assistant. Duane Akina, who played football at Washington, is an assistant coach at Texas.

Several of Akina's uncles were Isle high school standouts. The Shawn Akina Football Classic was an annual preseason football doubleheader named after an uncle who died of heart problems.

In a letter to Eastern Michigan coach Jeff Woodruff, Akina, who was born in Hawai'i but raised in Arizona, expressed a desire to play in front of family members.

In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Akina must redshirt this coming season, although he will be allowed to practice with the Warriors. After that, he will have three years of eligibility.

Akina was named to the All-Arizona all-star team as a Mountain View High senior in 2000. He wanted to attend UH last year, but was not offered a scholarship. He will transfer even though the Warriors do not have any available scholarships.

Akina did not play in Eastern Michigan's first three games last season, but then started in seven of the next eight.

In the final two starts, both on the road, he threw for a combined 680 yards and nine touchdowns. Against Akron, he completed 27 of 50 passes for 392 yards and six touchdowns.

He finished the season with an efficiency rating of 108.81 after completing 140 of 267 passes for 1,504 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The Eastern Michigan media guide lists Akina at 5 feet 11 and 192 pounds, although a family spokesman said he actually is 6-1.