Warriors' defensive line gets big boost
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
The University of Hawai'i football team's depleted defensive line yesterday received a boost when 6-foot-2, 320-pound Alifaleti Likio visited.
Likio, who played 10 games for Arizona State last season, is set to enroll at UH for the fall semester, which began Monday.
Likio
"Any day now," Likio said.
Likio was born on Kaua'i, but grew up in California and Texas. After the death of his mother last year and premature birth of his daughter, Likio decided to move back to Hawai'i.
"She was born three months early, but she's doing fine now," Likio said.
His wife and daughter live on Kaua'i. "All of my family is there," he said.
The NCAA requires a player transferring between Division I-A schools to sit out one season. Likio is petitioning for a waiver, citing his family circumstances, in an attempt to play this season.
Season opener Sept. 4 vs. Florida Atlantic 6:05 p.m. At Aloha Stadium
"Really, I'm not sure how (the waiver request) will turn out," he said, adding, "I'd rather sit out this year so I can get into shape. I'm trying to get the ball rolling."
UH football
Likio said he would like to lose 10 pounds, returning to the 310 pounds he weighed at ASU. "I need to slim down," he said.
Once enrolled, Likio will receive the Warriors' 85th — and final — scholarship of the year. He has three seasons of eligibility remaining.
Three UH defensive linemen are still sidelined. Left end Melila Purcell III, who is recovering from a sprained left foot, is expected to resume practicing Monday. He was on crutches Tuesday, but walked without a limp yesterday.
Defensive tackle Lui Fuga is recovering from a partially torn medial collateral ligament in his right knee, and right end Ikaika Alama-Francis is recuperating from back surgery and won't practice until at least Sept. 13.
Starting right end Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan left practice yesterday after complaining of flu-like symptoms.
"He has chills," UH coach June Jones said. "He's been sick the last two days."
Vantz Singletary, who coaches the defensive linemen, said Akpan appeared to be "de-hydrated. He worked hard today. He ran out of gas. We told him to take a cold shower and put fluids into his body. He needs to reload."
Redshirting likely for two freshmen
Right wideout Desmond Thomas is suffering from a leg strain and might redshirt this season. Thomas has been impressive during training camp, but he is playing behind seniors Britton Komine and Rene Melson and sophomore Ross Dickerson.
Freshman quarterback Tyler Graunke has been told he will redshirt this season.
Graunke was 5 of 6 for 96 yards during Sunday's scrimmage.
"He had the best scrimmage of any (quarterback) we had," Jones said.
Graunke is awaiting eligibility approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse, which has a backlog of cases. He has met all of the requirements to play this season.
Tracking sounds of 'Law & Order'
Mike Post, who helped compose musical tracks for UH football games, answered one of television's great riddles: What is the two-tone sound used to introduce new scenes on "Law & Order" episodes?
"The basic sound is a jail door slamming, with an anvil being hit, and a couple of other low-percussion sounds that are secret," Post said. "I combined those all. I took it to (L&O producer Dick Wolf), and 14 years later we're still using the chung-chung sound.
"Some people call it ching-ching because I get paid each time it's played. But the truth of the matter is it's a little signature, the same way as I'm trying to sign a signature for the University of Hawai'i football team."
Post created six musical tracks to be used during player introductions and celebrations.
"Polynesia has just a great musical tradition to draw on," Post said. "I enlisted really talented guys who live here and are from here. I set the stage for the real guys to do the playing."
Post, who has lived part-time in Kahala for the past 30 years, met Jones through their Waialae Country Club memberships.
It took Post three months to create the tunes. (In contrast, it took 30 minutes to write the theme to "Hill Street Blues," and five drafts and several months to compose the "L.A. Law" theme.)
Post waived his fee for the UH musical tracks.
Through an arrangement with Hawai'i Stage and Lighting, eight large speakers — the same ones used during the Janet Jackson concert at Aloha Stadium — will be placed around the field.
"If 20 years from now, this is Warrior football, and this is the way it sounds, and June and I are pushing ourselves around in wheelchairs, we'll both be happy because we enabled a tradition."
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
