Elimimian settles in after travels, travails

University of Hawai'i cornerback Abraham Elimimian, 22, one of the top defensive backs in the Western Athletic Conference, will write about his preparation for the coming football season. A weekly series of articles will run up to the Warriors' Sept. 4 season opener against Florida Atlantic.

By Abraham Elimimian
Special to The Advertiser

I've lived in Hawai'i four, five years, and I still can't believe I'm at the University of Hawai'i.

Abraham Elimimian, who has lived in Nigeria and California, has found a home in Hawai'i as a top cornerback for the Warriors. Deborah Booker • The Honolulu Advertiser

I lived in Nigeria until I was 7, and I have great memories. I remember playing soccer, having fun. I lived in a nice area. It reminded me of the North Shore. Although my parents enjoyed living in Nigeria, they worked hard to have us come to America, where they thought we could have a better life.

We moved to San Luis Obispo when I was 7, and then to L.A. when I was 16. It was crazy in L.A. We lived right across from Dorsey High School. They called it the "Jungles." The first week I got there, there were some shootings in the area. I didn't go out for two months. After a while, I got adjusted to the life. I know if you mind your own business, nobody will mess with you.

I was approached about joining a gang, but there was no way I was going to join. I had goals for myself. I didn't want to see myself in other people's misery. My parents didn't work hard for me to throw away my life. I tried to stay away from all of that type of stuff.

When I was a senior in high school, the University of Hawai'i offered me a football scholarship.

My friends were so envious of me. Every kid wants to live in Hawai'i, even if they think of it only as a vacation destination. Not many people can experience that stuff. I was fortunate. The school was giving me a scholarship to live in Hawai'i.

But it wasn't all peaches and cream. I came to fill up a slot, I guess. Not many people thought I would succeed. They didn't know who I was. They couldn't even pronounce my name. But I had ambitions for myself. I told one coach, "By the time I leave here, I'll be one of the best DBs the school has ever seen." I don't mean to sound like I'm bragging, but to succeed, you need goals. That was one of my goals. Another goal is to earn my degree. I'm on schedule to graduate in December.

For now, I'm working hard to prepare for the season. I wanted to stay here to work out. I remember when I first came here, I wanted to go home to California all of the time. Now when I go home, it's kind of weird. I feel out of place at home. When I go to California for a week or two, I start to feel homesick ... for Hawai'i. Hawai'i feels like home now.