The program "provides culturally and socially sensitive, community-based, behavioral health services for children and adults," according to its Web site.

"I deal with a variety of kids ranging from 6 to 18," said Lave, a tight end/defensive lineman for the arenafootball2 Islanders. "I try to get them on the right path and lead them the right way."

Lave said he currently works with eight or nine children and Hale Na'au Pono accepts referrals from throughout the state. He added he couldn't discuss his children because of confidentiality policies, but said none is on drugs and "a lot of them just don't want to do the school work, don't want to listen to the foster parents, things of that nature."

Lave, 26, graduated from Wai'anae High School in 1995 and attended the University of Utah.

"It's just a way to give back," he said. "I love where I'm from, I'll always be there no matter what I do in life.

"I have an edge over some of the other case workers or social workers because I'm from there. So a lot of people know the name, I play football. Sometimes I run into a kid, a kid's family and know the uncles or nephews. In Hawai'i there is always somebody you know, especially in Wai'anae."

Maile Ohira, a therapeutic foster home developer at Hale Na'au Pono, said a lot of the program's children look up to Lave.

"He's like a god to these kids," she said.

Islanders lineman Andy Ramos said Lave "is real mellow. He's always thinking. He doesn't get too mad, but he gets the job done."

Lave said he drives more than 80 miles round trip to get from Wai'anae to Islanders' practices and games, which are at Blaisdell Arena or Saint Louis School.

"It's not a big deal. It's the price you pay to play football, to do something you love," Lave said.

He has played in four games this season for the Islanders (6-2) and caught one pass for 38 yards and recorded 2.5 tackles, including 1.5 sacks.

The Islanders will play the Louisville Fire (3-5) tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. in an arenafootball2 game at Blaisdell Arena.

Last season, Lave caught four passes for 18 yards and two touchdowns, and had six tackles. 

His biggest play last year was catching the go-ahead two-point conversion from Darnell Arceneaux with six seconds remaining as the Islanders beat the Quad City Steamwheelers, 56-55, on July 20.

After catching the pass, Lave threw the ball into the upper level at Blaisdell Arena.

"I've always loved football," Lave said. "Football has always been a part of my life. I enjoy playing in front of the fans of Hawai'i."

Notes: Former Islanders head coach Chad Carlson saw his contract terminated last week as head coach of the Bossier City (La.) Battle Wings. At the time, Bossier City had lost five of six. Carlson led the Islanders to a 4-8 record over the final 12 games of 2002.

Hawaiian Islanders 2003 schedule and results

• March 30 Green Bay Blizzard W, 48-37

• April 4 at Quad City Steamwheelers W, 53-52

• April 19 at Bakersfield Blitz* L, 43-58

• April 26 San Diego Riptide* W, 51-43

• May 3 at Wichita Stealth* L, 29-36

• May 10 Bakersfield Blitz* W, 50-48

• May 16 Wichita Stealth* W, 61-55

• May 24 at Cincinnati Swarm W, 35-28

• May 31 Louisville Fire 7:30 p.m.

• June 7 at Arkansas Twisters 2 p.m.

• June 14 Peoria Pirates 7:30 p.m.

• June 21 at San Diego Riptide* 4 p.m.

• June 28 Quad City Steamwheelers 7:30 p.m.

• July 12 at Tulsa Talons 2:30 p.m.

• July 18 at San Diego Riptide* 4:30 p.m.

• July 27 Bakersfield Blitz* 6 p.m.

All times HST

Home games at Blaisdell Arena