Posted on: Thursday, January 16, 2003

Hoohuli, Alameda return to Warriors

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Former Kamehameha Schools linebackers Watson Hoohuli and Isaiah Alameda have rejoined the University of Hawai'i football team after quitting last year because of personal reasons.

Also, wide receiver Matuia "Mox" Poumele, San Diego County's Offensive Player of the Year, has declared the Warriors as "my No. 1 choice. I'll do whatever I can to get there."

Poumele, a senior at Oceanside High, is scheduled to take the SAT Saturday, a requirement for going on an NCAA Division I recruiting trip. Poumele has received offers from Oregon and Fresno State, but he said he would reject them for a chance to play alongside his brother, UH wideout Se'e Poumele.

"Hawai'i took care of my brother, and I want to play for someone who takes care of people," Poumele said.

Poumele, who is 6 feet and 175 pounds, can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds.

Poumele, who is scheduled to visit UH in two weeks, said, "I definitely want to play for" the Warriors.

Meanwhile, the return of Hoohuli and Alameda will help fill the void created when starting linebackers Pisa Tinoisamoa, Chris Brown and Matt Wright completed their UH football eligibility last month.

Hoohuli and Alameda are 2000 graduates of Kamehameha Schools. Hoohuli was a two-time All-State player while Alameda was twice named All-State honorable mention.

Hoohuli, who is 6 feet and 230 pounds, redshirted in 2000 and played 12 games in 2001, amassing 33 tackles and two quarterback hurries. He left the team after the 2001 season.

Alameda redshirted during the 2001 season. He played well enough in spring practice last March to enter training camp as the top backup to Tinoisamoa at weakside linebacker, but he left the team, also citing personal reasons.

Both players will have to earn enough credits toward their degrees to be eligible to play in the fall. If they are cleared, Hoohuli will have two years of eligibility left and Alameda will have three.

Meanwhile, Tinoisamoa's younger brother, Mike, who recently completed his sophomore season at Palomar College in San Diego, is expected to transfer to an area college. UH had been recruiting him.