Kahuku DB commits to UH

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kahuku High's Viliami Nauahi, regarded as the top high school defensive back in the state, yesterday decided to attend the University of Hawai'i on a football scholarship.

Nauahi, who is 6 feet 2 and 200 pounds, will sign a national letter of intent Wednesday, the first day of the NCAA signing period for football prospects.

Nauahi turned down an offer from Brigham Young, which administers the Mormon Church, of which Nauahi is a member

"See how tough it was for (Nauahi)?" Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai said.

There will be 10 former Red Raiders on the UH roster next season, including cornerback George Perry, who earlier committed to UH, and safeties Hyrum Peters, Leonard Peters and Orlando Wong.

"Vili is right up there with all of them," said Keala Santiago, who coaches the Kahuku defensive backs. "He's a student of the game, and he always has a knack of getting to the ball. He does anything the coaches tell him to do. He works hard during the offseason."

Nauahi is "very mobile and agile for his size," Santiago added.

Nauahi, who has earned letters in basketball and track, can run 40 yards in 4.5 seconds. He played free safety as a junior and strong safety last season, when he was named to The Advertiser's All-State first team.

"He made a lot of things happen," Santiago said. "When someone caught the ball, he would catch up to the receiver and strip the ball away. He had a lot of come-from-behind tackles."