An athletic defensive player from Kahuku High School yesterday accepted a scholarship from the University of Hawai'i football team.

Kamalani Alo, who is 6 feet 1 1/2 and 190 pounds, is projected to compete at safety for the Warriors. He is an outside linebacker for Kahuku.

He also is a member of the track team — 100-meter sprint, 110 hurdles, 4x100 relay, shot put and discus — and a sweeper in soccer.

Alo received interest from Utah and Oregon State, but chose UH because "it's home. I want to play in front of family. I really like UH."

Alo said UH linebacker Paipai Falemalu, a 2008 Kahuku High graduate, is his mentor.

"He helped me become an outside linebacker," Alo said.

Deedee Alo said her son was born with fair skin and light hair.

"When my mother saw him, she said his Hawaiian name should be Kamalani," Deedee said. "He's the unique child from heaven."

But Stan Alo said his son was named after an Israel Kamakawiwo'ole song.

Deedee Alo said her son's middle name, Tulagatasi, means high chief in Samoan.

Stan Alo said his son has played football since Pop Warner. The Alos are long-time Warrior fans.

"We try to go to games," Stan Alo said.

Kamalani Alo said he keeps busy with school, football and his church.

He is considering going on a church mission after he turns 19. He will be 17 when he graduates from Kahuku.

"He'll have a lot of time for school and football" before finalizing plans for his mission, Stan Alo said.

Stan Alo said his son felt good about his decision. Deedee and Stan were equally enthusiastic.

"He's going to a very good program," Stan Alo said. "He's getting a good opportunity to go to school and to play football. It's great that his tuition will be paid. That's one less bill for his parents."

The past summer, Alo and Falemalu trained together in Manoa.

Alo said he looks forward to playing for the Warriors.

"I like their defense," he said. "It looks really good."

PRACTICE AT SAINT LOUIS

Doing an end-around on Mother Nature, the Warriors made a five-block trip yesterday to practice at the Saint Louis School field.

"It was a good workout," UH head coach Greg McMackin said. "We got a lot of reps. And we saved our field."

Heavy rain Tuesday morning forced the Warriors to postpone that day's practice to the afternoon on their grass field. They scheduled yesterday's practice for Saint Louis' artificial surface.

The Warriors were in shells (helmets and shoulder pads), but "we got a lot of throwing in, a lot of reads," McMackin said. "The quarterbacks looked really good. The receivers ran good routes. I thought it was a good, crisp practice."

It also served as a homecoming for UH team members with Crusader ties.

Defensive coordinator Cal Lee was Saint Louis' head coach for nearly two decades.

Offensive coordinator Ron Lee served in the same capacity for the Crusaders.

Receivers coach Craig Stutzmann is a former All-State receiver and Sain Louis junior varsity head coach.

And recruiting coordinator Tony Tuioti was recruited to UH by Ulima Afoa, who was a Warrior assistant at the time. Afoa is now the Crusaders' athletic director.

"I felt the power of the field," said safety Keao Monteilh, a 2005 Saint Louis graduate.

There have been improvements since Monteilh was a Saint Louis student and the first part of the school name was an abbreviation ("St.").

Back then, Monteilh recalled, there was an asphalt track outlining the football field.

"Once we left, they got everything — a new track, a fence," Monteilh said.

Defensive tackle Fale Laeli, also a Saint Louis alumnus, said: "We had the (artificial) turf, but not all of this nice stuff. Back then, it was hard. That's why we played hard."

At least one Warrior was not as enthusiastic about the practice site. Running back/slotback Kealoha Pilares is a graduate of rival Damien Memorial. Pilares passed the entry test to Saint Louis, but opted to attend Damien.

"It's a better school," he said, smiling.

RECRUIT JOINING EARLY

Saint Louis wideout Billy Ray Stutzmann, who made a verbal commitment to the Warriors the past summer, will complete his studies in December and enroll at UH in January.

He will compete in UH's offseason conditioning program and participate in spring practice.

"I just wanted to get a headstart on the season coming up," Stutzmann said. "Everyone said it's good to get into college early and get the training."

Still, Stutzmann will be allowed to attend his senior prom and walk with his classmates during Saint Louis' graduation ceremony.

PILARES AT RUNNING BACK

Pilares, who caught 10 passes for 90 yards as a slotback against New Mexico State, is expected to move back to running back for Saturday's game against Idaho.

Running back Daniel Libre has a possible abdominal injury, and Leon Wright-Jackson did not compete in the last two practices because of a foot injury.

That means Pilares, who has played six games at running back, will be moving from slotback.

"What's new?" he said.

Pilares led the Warriors in rushing last season before moving to slotback in spring training. "Slot is more fun because it's something new," Pilares said. "It's a different feeling when you get the ball as a slotback."

McMackin said David Farmer, the Warriors' best backfield blocker, and Jayson Rego also will get carries.

"I'm cool with it," Farmer said. "It goes with the job."

Farmer tweaked his right knee last week, but noted the knee "brace saved me. I'm probably at 90, 95 percent."

But he said he will play at full speed.

"I try not to think about it," Farmer said. "If you don't think about it, it doesn't get to you. I try to pretend I'm 100 percent. The minute you hesitate is when you get hurt even worse."

"E-ROB" SKIPS PRACTICE

Strong safety Erik Robinson did not practice yesterday because of a tweaked right hamstring. Robinson said he expects to play against Idaho.

In Robinson's absence, Keao Monteilh moved to strong safety and cornerback/nickelback Ryan Mouton has practiced at free safety.

McMackin said Mouton will start at free safety against Idaho.

"He's making all kinds of plays back there," McMackin said of Mouton. "We can blitz him. He can play deep. He can play man. He's a very smart player."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051. Visit Tsai's blog at warriorbeat.honadvblogs.com.

UH FOOTBALL: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AVAILABLE

Local transportation companies will combine to offer round-trip "air-conditioned" motor coach service to Aloha Stadium for University of Hawai'i football games this season.

Saturday's game is against Idaho. Kickoff is 6:05 p.m.

Cost per game for roundstrip is $13. One way from stadium cost $8.

Reservations are required. Unfilled seats will be on first-come, first-serve basis.

The motor coaches will leave Aloha Stadium 30 minutes after the end of the game.

Pick-up locations and contact information for reservations and further information are listed below.

Pick-up Location: Servicing Vendor, Reservation Hotline

Ala Moana Center: Polynesian Adventure, 833-3000

Downtown Area: Polynesian Adventure, 833-3000

'Ewa Beach: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Hawai'i Kai: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Kahala: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Kailua: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Kaimuki: Enoa Corp., 591-2561

Kane'ohe: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Kapolei: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Kunia: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Manoa: Polynesian Hospitality, 526-3567

Mililani: Roberts Hawai'i, 954-8650

Palolo: Enoa Corp., 591-2561

UH: Polynesian Hospitality, 526-3567

Waikiki: Polynesian Adventure, 833-3000