VIDEO: UH football special teams hope to overcome inexperience

"We've got a new haka," left tackle Aaron Kia said. "I want to leave it at that. We want to surprise the fans. If we over-media-ize it, it'll take away the surprise."

A week ago, the seniors agreed to bring back the haka, a Maori war chant, as a pregame ritual. But the past weekend, they decided to use a version different from the haka performed during the 2006 season. The Warriors performed the ha'a, a Hawaiian-influenced Polynesian chant, in 2007 and 2008.

The seniors turned to Gary Nagy, who recently transferred from Brigham Young. As Kahuku High students in 2005, Nagy and Javen Kaka created a haka for the Red Raider football team. Kaka, who is from New Zealand, had learned the haka from relatives.

Nagy and Kaka's version — which originally was supposed to be performed in a May Day program — was noticed by the UH coaches attending a football camp in Kahuku in 2006. The Warriors then adopted the haka as part of their pregame preparation.

Nagy was summoned when the UH seniors "wanted to change the haka. It was a last-minute decision."

Nagy said the players have perfected the chant's motion.

"We have to perfect the words, and everything will be good," he said.

In accordance with NCAA transfer rules, Nagy must redshirt this season. As a result, he will not be allowed on the field to lead the haka.

"I'll be watching from the side," Nagy said. "Rocky (Savaiigaea) will be leading it. Rocky will do a good job."

THE SON ALSO RISES

Let's play the word-association game with Taimane Purcell, son of Keani Santos and defensive left end Elliott Purcell:

Green.

"Daddy."

UH football.

"Daddy."

"Every time we're in a store and he sees something UH, he says, 'Daddy,' " Santos said of their 2-year-old son. "Or when he sees something green, he says, 'Daddy.' He associates everything green and UH with his father."

Santos, who is a full-time student, and Taimane attend every football practice on the Manoa campus. That means awakening at 4:45 a.m. to leave their house at 5:30.

After arriving on campus, Santos said, "we park, and I sleep next to him in the car until he gets up. I get in the back, change his clothes and diaper, and unpack his breakfast."

Then they watch the practice.

"I play for my son," Purcell said. "Before, he wasn't old enough to understand what I do. But now he's 2, and he knows what football is."

During practices, Taimane often will get into a three-point stance. After practice, he will play catch with his father.

"He's going to be a good football player when he grows up," Purcell said. "And he's going to play for UH."

Purcell's cousins are former Warriors Melila Purcell III, Amani Purcell, Samson Satele, Larry Sauafea and Nate Ilaoa.

"It used to push me to be better, to be like them," Purcell said. There's a lot of pressure on me, but I try not to focus on the pressure. I focus on my technique, and being violent on the field, and making plays."

Purcell originally made a verbal commitment to New Mexico State, but he rescinded that pledge to sign with the Warriors.

Now Purcell is listed as the No. 1 left end.

"I see my son playing while I'm practicing, and it really motivates me," he said. "I want to start. I want my son to be proud of me when he grows up."

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