Owens is one of the marquee players in today's Hula Bowl at War Memorial Stadium. The game starts at 2 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.

"The main reason for him wanting to play is for his fans out there in Hawai'i," said Goeas of the second-team Associated Press All-American and winner of the Mosi Tatupu Award, which is given annually by the Hula Bowl to the nation's best college football special teams' player. "Looking from a business standpoint, I would not want him to play. But I can only advise him. I hope he doesn't take another shot to it."

Owens suffered a right rib injury last Saturday in the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco. In that game, he caught eight passes for 134 yards with one touchdown. He also returned two punts for 26 yards, and six kickoffs for 102 yards.

Owens missed Tuesday's practice, but participated in every practice after that, Goeas said. Owens will return punts and play wide receiver today, the agent said.

"He's a warrior," Hawai'i defensive tackle Lui Fuga said of Owens. "He loves the game. He wants to give the local fans a little show. When he feels like he can't go, then he won't. What can you say? You can't stop the guy."

Along with Owens, Hawai'i quarterback Timmy Chang, Fuga and offensive lineman Uriah Moenoa will suit up for the Kai team, as well as three other players with Hawai'i ties — Brigham Young safety Aaron Francisco, Utah lineman Chris Kemoeatu and defensive tackle Sione Pouha.

"We're here to represent Hawai'i," Fuga said. "We just want to have a good game, and hopefully we impress some scouts and turn a few heads. It's a big accomplishment to be here. We're so glad we were invited to the Hula Bowl."

Oregon coach Mike Bellotti, who will coach the Kai team, said the Hawai'i players have a lot at stake this week if they want to play in the NFL.

"They've had great careers," Bellotti said. "They've been picked and selected to this game because they have an opportunity to go on to the next level. How they play in this game, and how they practice everyday is going to determine that because they've got pro scouts watching them every day."

Scouts from all 32 NFL teams watched practices this week on Maui. The NFL draft is April 23 and 24.

"To be honest, this (football) is the only thing I know how to do," said Moenoa, a four-year starter on Hawai'i's offensive line. "My aspirations are really high. I want to do well. I want to go to the next level, and earn some money for my family."

As for Brigham Young's Francisco, a 2001 Kahuku graduate, the Hula Bowl allows him to reunite with family and friends.

"It's extra special for me," Francisco said. "A lot of my friends, they didn't get to watch me play because they all went on (church) missions. They're all back now. They're going to get to watch me play one final game."