An offensive lineman from one of Hawai'i's most prominent football families has accepted a scholarship from the University of Hawai'i.

Benson Ma'afala Jr. of Mililani High said he notified the UH coaches of his decision yesterday.

"I wanted to stay home and play in front of my family," Ma'afala said.

By choosing the Warriors, Ma'afala is turning down offers from Washington and California.

His father, Benson Sr., was an all-star quarterback at McKinley High who went on to be a UH punter.

One of his uncles, Nick Ma'afala, was a standout defensive lineman at McKinley and UH. A knee injury cut short his Warrior career after two years. In 2001, "Big Nick" died of complications from leukemia. He was 33.

Another uncle, Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala, attended Saint Louis School and the University of Utah. Fuamatu-Ma'afala was a running back in the National Football League, most notably with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

A third uncle, Tenari Ma'afala, was twice cited for bravery with the police department.

Benson Ma'afala Jr. is 6 feet 3 and 310 pounds.

At a combine during the summer, he bench pressed 185 pounds 36 times.

"I didn't know I could do that much," he said.

He also benched 225 pounds 20 times.

Ma'afala competes in track and field. In the 2008 state championships, he placed sixth in the shot put (50 feet, 3 3/4 inches). His best throw in the discus (141 feet, 1 inch) came in the 2008 OIA championships.

Carol Ma'afala said her son is relatively quiet, but is "like a big-brother leader."

The Ma'afalas lived in Colorado from 1992 to 1998, when they returned to Honolulu.

Benson Jr. played for the Palama youth team for a season, but could not continue because he had difficulty meeting the 100-pound weight limit.

"After that, he played flag football," Carol Ma'afala said.

Benson Jr. enrolled at Damien Memorial High School as a freshman. He played basketball, then focused on football and track and field.

But the past spring, he was told that his financial-assistance package would not be renewed, leading to his transfer to Mililani High this academic year.

"It was devastating," Carol Ma'afala said. "He felt he let (Damien teammates) down. He's a very caring person. He's a big body, but he's soft inside."

Benson Jr. made an easy transition on the field. He played guard and center for the Trojans.

He is projected to compete at center for the Warriors.

Colleges were attracted to his agility and strength — traits that were apparent with his father and uncles. Fuamatu-Ma'afala was a running back who was built like a lineman. Nick Ma'afala was a defensive lineman who also could punt.

"Maybe it's in the genes," Benson Sr. said, laughing.

Benson Sr. has remained in shape working as a ramp agent for Hawaiian Airlines. He loads and unloads bags.

"I have to set an example for my son," Benson Sr. said.

The elder Benson has helped steer his son's weight-training. They concentrate on lifts that develop the muscles in the chest, arms, shoulders and legs — "the whole body," Benson Sr. said.

"I try to teach him the right way to lift," Benson Sr. said. "A lot of kids today just think they can lift, and it'll be OK. But lifting the wrong way can hurt them."

Still, there is one area that Benson Jr. enjoys free-style work.

"I'm into drawing," he said. "I draw all kinds of stuff."

His artwork earned him an invitation to participate in an art festival sponsored by Chevron.

"He's a very good artist," Carol Ma'afala said. "He's can draw anything. Tell him what you want, and he can draw it free-hand. He's very talented."