Tanuvasa name lives on in football

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

It might have been a challenge, but never a burden, being the kid brother of a star running back.

Pearl City coach Watson Tanuvasa, top, says he's honored to follow in the footsteps of older brother, Onosai, who died of liver cancer in March. Onosai is remembered as the first 1,000-yard rusher in Interscholastic League of Honolulu history. Advertiser library photo (Onosai Tanuvase, above) Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser (top photo)

The younger Tanuvasa would emulate his big brother a decade later by being named the 1979 O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Offensive Player of the Year for Moanalua.

Today, Tanuvasa is trying to preserve his brother's legacy as coach of the Pearl City Chargers.

In March, Onosai died of liver cancer at age 52.

In May, Tanuvasa was named to replace his brother, affectionately known as "Sai."

"When Sai was playing at the (Honolulu) Stadium, I was selling papers (lineups) outside," Tanuvasa recalled. "Everybody who knew who I was would say, 'Are you going to grow up and be like your brother?' I said, 'No, I'm going to grow up to be better, be bigger than him and run faster than him.'

"But as a kid growing up, it was always an honor to be known as Sai's brother. Most people would probably think that I didn't want to live in his shadow. But I lived, cried to the point where I was exhausted, living in his shadow and it's been nothing but a pleasure for me because a lot of people say I have the same coaching style he has. That's because I love my brother and I know him really well because I've worked alongside of him, not athletically, but in business. I've learned a lot of his philosophies and style."

A surprise choice

That Tanuvasa was picked to succeed his brother was somewhat of a surprise because he has little coaching experience.

Last year was his first stint. Tanuvasa was reluctant at first because of his job as store manager of City Mill's Honolulu store. He warned Sai that he might miss some practices.

"After the first day, I got this thing they call the coaching bug," he said. "The desire to actually make a difference in someone's life was one of the things to push me to work really hard to become better. With that, Sai kind of laughed at me and said, 'You haven't missed a day of practice.' I love coaching. It's to a point where I'll do it as long as I can as long as the job will allow."

Tanuvasa credits his employer for allowing him the time it takes to coach a varsity football team. City Mill feels Tanuvasa can benefit from the experience because it will help in his occupation.

Sharpening his skills

"By coaching, he'll become a better manager," said City Mill president Steven Ai. "Managers in a retail store are coaches. It will help him with his skills, communication, thought process and strategies. He will learn to think quickly."

Ai, who said he uses sports themes and analogies in running the home-improvement store business, believes Tanuvasa will be successful in coaching.

"I think he'll be a winning coach, at least (based) on what he's done for us," Ai said. "He's a people person, really tries to communicate to everybody, talks to the people about our objectives and goals. He'll bring out the best in each young person. They'll remember him for the rest of their lives. He'll mold them (to be productive citizens) and that might be more important than winning the championship."

Tanuvasa said he was concerned about his lack of coaching experience, but that the school felt his managerial experience from work was a factor.

"But overall, I think they liked what Coach Sai did the previous two years," Tanuvasa said. "Maybe their thinking is that his brother will be the same way."

Being the head coach will allow Tanuvasa to honor his brother, whom he said made the players his priority during a difficult time.

Players came first

"The kids didn't know about it (the illness) — only his kids — not even me. It's a great attribute to somebody like that to have the love for the sport. He sacrificed time he could've spent with his family or doing other things. He could've traveled the world in that year, but instead he chose to dedicate himself to coaching, being with the Pearl City team and seeing the kids through, that he was going to make a difference. Today, we see the fruits of that."

Tanuvasa said he did not learn of his brother's illness until about two weeks before he died. But he did drop a hint one day.

"Prior to telling me, he actually said, 'I probably have to retire and sit out this year so I can spend time with my family. But I'm going to recommend that I put you as the head coach,' " Tanuvasa said. "That was a shock to me. My gosh, my first year, I don't have experience. He saw something I didn't. So today, I'm just living basically his dream."

Onosai was brought in for the 2002 season and guided the Chargers to a 5-3 record (5-2 in the OIA White). It was Pearl City's first winning season since 1986 (8-2). He proved it was no fluke when the Chargers, who had been promoted to the Red, finished 6-3 and made the playoffs.

Tanuvasa said his transition from assistant to head coach has been smooth because of his brother.

"In two years, he did a spectacular job," Tanuvasa said. "That's why it's easier for us this year. Everything is pretty much set with the attitude, the discipline and just the overall unity that is necessary in order to be successful. That's why it's an honor for me to have this job."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.