In yesterday's eventful first practice of the Hawai'i football team's training camp:

• Starting right wideout Malcolm Lane had yet to report because of "personal business."

• Second-year freshman Paipai Falemalu moved from outside linebacker to defensive end.

• Outside linebacker Blaze Soares, defensive tackle Rocky Savaiigaea and wideout Craig Bell — all of whom received medical hardships for the 2008 season — practiced without difficulty.

• Freshman Alex Dunnachie of Australia drew oohs for several booming punts, including one that traveled about 75 yards.

"It was a great first day," UH head coach Greg McMackin said.

The Warriors were without Lane, their top deep threat last season.

McMackin said Lane is "taking care of personal business." McMackin said he did not know when Lane would report.

Meanwhile, Falemalu, who did not play last season because of an injured right shoulder, was asked Tuesday to move to defensive end.

"I told Mack I would do whatever is best for the team," Falemalu said.

McMackin said: "We made the move to get speed on the field, and Paipai can run. He's a great athlete. He was one of the top guys in my first recruiting class (in 2008). He's a guy we can build on. I want him on the football field. We're going to let him compete and see if he's one of the best football guys."

Falemalu reported to the 2008 training camp weighing 225. Three weeks later, he weighed 250, and was regarded as a redshirt candidate. The decision was finalized when Falemalu suffered a torn labrum. He underwent surgery in October.

"It was tough sitting out, watching everyone practice," Falemalu said.

He also was held out of contact drills during spring training.

Falemalu, who is 6 feet 3 and now 230 pounds, stayed after practice to receive tutoring on rip and club moves, as well as the proper technique to disengage a block.

Soares, who did not play last season because of a tear near his left calf, participated in drills yesterday.

"I did what I had to do," Soares said. "I did it to my pace and ability. I was scared (of a recurrence), of course. You don't know what to expect, to be honest."

Soares did not undergo surgery, instead relying on rest and intensive rehabilitation.

"I'm at 90, 95 percent," Soares said. "Anything over 80 percent is gravy off the plate to me. I should be OK."

Savaiigaea missed all but one game last season because of a torn left triceps. He underwent surgery. He recently returned after spending a few weeks training in Arizona. He lost 31 pounds, and now weighs 305.

"It's good to be out there and getting the blood flowing," Savaiigaea said.

The Manoa afternoon sun was not a concern.

"It was so hot in Arizona — 117 degrees once," Savaiigaea said. "Running out here is nothing."

Savaiigaea is sporting a shaved pate.

"Up there (in Arizona), I didn't have a barber," he said. "I decided to go bald. No baggage. No hair. I'm good."

It was believed Bell's career had ended after he underwent a second operation on his right knee. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in junior college.

For that initial injury, he underwent surgery, but "it didn't feel right. It was pretty much ready to snap again."

Bell suffered a second torn ACL in the right knee while working out last year.

He underwent another surgery, placing his career on life support.

"We thought he was done," McMackin said.

Bell did not participate in spring training in April.

UH was prepared to file a petition for a medical retirement.

"Initially, they didn't think I was going to make it back," Bell said. "But I worked really hard."

Bell was not listed on the initial training camp roster. He also was not listed on the revised roster.

But he reported to training camp, where he underwent an extensive medical evaluation and was cleared to rejoin the Warriors.

"We're going to give him a shot," McMackin said.

Yesterday's 2 1/2-hour practice featured mostly individual and position drills. But the businesslike atmosphere received a jolt when Dunnachie boomed a punt that traveled about 75 yards.

"I don't know where it came from," Dunnachie said, smiling. "The wind dropped at just the right time."

The football nearly struck offensive coordinator Ron Lee, who was leading drills on the opposite side of the grass practice field.

"He almost got Ron Lee killed," McMackin said. "He kicked it all the way down to the offense."

Long-snapper Luke Ingram, who is 6 feet 5, said it is easy to work with the 6-foot-3, 235-pound Dunnachie.

"He's a big target," Ingram said. "He makes my job easier."

Dunnachie was admittedly nervous when the Warriors aligned in punt formation.

"I didn't know what to expect," he said. "On the first one, I didn't know they were rushing me. It took me a bit by surprise."

But he quickly recovered, and then launched the towering punt, inducing his teammates to chant "Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!"

In Australia, the crowd yells that after good plays. The response yell is: Oy! Oy! Oy!

"I don't know how they knew that, but it was good to hear," Dunnachie said.

Did he respond? "I didn't do that," he said. "I focused on the next one."

McMackin said Dunnachie is a multiple threat because he can launch towering punts as well as rugby-styled kicks after rollouts.

"He can kick it with all different rotations, making it tough on the returners," McMackin said. "He can hit the long one. And when we move him, he kicks rugby-style. He can run this way and kick it that way. He's a talent."

Three of Dunnachie's punts were dropped.

"He's a stud," Ingram said. "He came out here on Day 1 and proved himself. "

Dunnachie said he is working on maintaining his concentration.

"Sometimes I think too much, complicate it, and then it doesn't work," Dunnachie said. "I have to clear my mind. I wouldn't be here if I couldn't do it. I have to trust I can do it."

Yesterday's practice also featured: