Kila Ka'aihue has come full circle.

Six summers ago, the 2002 'Iolani School graduate was invited to Kauffman Stadium to hit for Kansas City Royals officials before signing his pro contract.

Seven minor league seasons later, Ka'aihue will return to Kauffman Stadium tomorrow, but this time as a big leaguer with the Royals. His father, Kala Ka'aihue, said his son received notice of the call-up yesterday.

"It's exciting," the elder Ka'aihue said. "It's his dream come true. He still has a long way to go. He's just getting his feet wet. All that he's done this year wasn't for nothing."

Kila, who was named Texas League Player of the Year last week, will have his contract purchased from the Triple-A Omaha Royals to be placed on the Royals' 40-man roster. Starting today, major league rosters can expand from 25 to up to 40 players.

The left-handed hitting first baseman is having an incredible season. He hit .314 with 26 home runs and 79 RBI at Double-A Northwest Arkansas before being called up to Triple-A Omaha, where he is hitting .309 with 11 home runs and 20 RBI in 32 games. He hit what turned out to be the game-winning home run in the top of the 10th inning yesterday to help Omaha beat Iowa, 6-5.

"He called this morning and said he hit a walk-off home run," Kala said. "I thought, 'Wow.' Then he said he got the call (up to the Royals)."

Kila will finish Omaha's season today before joining the Royals tomorrow, Kala said.

Kala and wife Rose left last night for Kansas City, where they will watch the Royals' six-game homestand against the Oakland Athletics starting tomorrow and the Cleveland Indians beginning Friday.

Kila, who had signed a letter of intent to play at Nebraska, opted to sign with the Royals, who picked him in the 15th round in 2002. He is the second player scouted and signed by former Royals' scout Eric Tokunaga to make it to the big leagues. Chad Santos (Saint Louis '99) also was drafted by the Royals, but eventually made it with the San Francisco Giants before he retired last year.

"I'm happy for him," said Tokunaga, an international scout for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Japan who is based out of Charlotte, N.C. "He hit when he had to. He needed a breakout year, but I never expected the power surge (he has had this season). He's always had command of the strike zone. (80 walks to 41 strikeouts at Double-A) is off the charts for a power hitter."

At both levels this season, Kila combined for 102 walks while striking out 66 times.