Even before he was born, Kamalei Correa was part of the University of Hawai'i athletic department.

"I was working while I was pregnant with him," said Lani Correa, who has been an athletic department employee for more than two decades. "He was born to be a Warrior."

His destiny soon could be fulfilled.

Kamalei Correa has received a scholarship offer from the Warriors.

The offer is postdated to 2013.

That's because Correa, who turned 15 in April, will be entering the ninth grade at Saint Louis School.

"We're in awe," Lani said.

Recruits may not verbally accept offers until their junior years, but the Correas have been assured that head coach coach Greg McMackin will honor the offer.

Last year, McMackin made national news when he offered a scholarship to Reeve Koehler, then an eight-grader. Correa and Koehler will be Saint Louis classmates this year.

The Correas have long ties to the Warriors.

Kamalei Correa's eldest brother, La'anui Correa, was a standout defensive end for the Warriors

Haku Correa, also a defensive lineman, will be a second-year freshman this season.

"My sons grew up on campus," Lani said. "They've always been around."

They were there at last week's Big Man's Camp for offensive and defensive linemen — La'anui as a volunteer, Kamalei as a participant.

When the brothers were younger, La'anui, who is 6 feet 4, sometimes would pick on Kamalei.

"I told La'anui, 'You'd better watch out, he's going to be bigger than you one day,' " Lani said, laughing.

Kamalei now is 6 feet 1 and 232 pounds.

"And he's growing," Lani said.

Kamalei also is a gifted baseball player. One coach told Lani that Kamalei "is a freak of nature" athletically.

Lani said she told her son: "This is what happens when you work hard. You need to keep applying yourself, especially in school."

She added: "He's learning that hard work pays off."

Lani said Kamalei was named after Lee Michael Goeas, who was a family friend and organizer of PAL events. Goeas died in March 1994, a month before Kamalei was born .

Kamalei translates to "my beloved." Leilani named her son Kamalei Lee Michael Correa in memory of Goeas.

YOUTH CAMP AT UH

The Koa Kid Youth Football Camp begins tomorrow and runs through Thursday at Ching Field.

Coordinated by the UH special teams coach Chris Tormey, the camp is open to those in third grade through eighth grade.

Sessions are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Campers will be closely monitored and taught all football skills. Student-athletes and UH coaches will serve as instructors.

Tuition is $265, and includes a T-shirt, youth football and daily lunch.

For information or to register online, go to:

http://www.koakidfootball.com.

Details also are available at (808) 956-6508.