Warrior Beat

Expanded coverage of UH football, including practice notes, game analysis, recruiting info and observations on the Mountain West Conference.

About the blog host

Stephen Tsai covers University of Hawaii football for the Star-Advertiser. Follow him on Twitter @StephenTsai and sign up for the Hawaii football newsletter here: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/email-signup/

Latest news

The hunt to punt

By Stephen Tsai on December 20, 2012

This past season, the Warriors found success with punters using rugby-styled techniques. Now there is a possibility a rugby player might be added as a punter. A rugby player has been recommended as a successor to punter Alex Dunnachie, who has completed his UH eligibility. The Warriors are evaluating whether he will be a good fit. Stay tuned. * * * * * * Credit defensive tackle Calen Friel for making the most of his time recovering from an ankle […]

Pu‘u-Robinson earns scholarship; 5 transfers sign

By Stephen Tsai on December 19, 2012

Jordan Pu‘u-Robinson received an early Christmas present when he was told he would be placed on scholarship. “I’m thankful,” said Pu‘u-Robinson, a Baldwin High graduate who transferred this past summer after three years at Washington State. “It was hard to pay tuition for one semester. It’s nice to be back on scholarship.” Pu‘u-Robinson relinquished a WSU football scholarship and starting job when he returned to Hawaii because of a family situation. A month into the season, the NCAA granted Pu‘u-Robinson […]

Delay of game

By Stephen Tsai on December 18, 2012

Quarterback Aaron Zwahlen of Thomas Downey High (Modesto, Calif.) will sign a letter of intent with the Warriors on Feb. 6, but will delay the start of his UH career until 2015, when he completes a two-year church mission. Zwahlen initially wanted to attend UH for a year before going on the mission. In October, the Mormon church lowered the minimum age, from 19 to 18, for a man to begin a church mission. Zwahlen said he will go on […]

Big Wednesday

By Stephen Tsai on December 17, 2012

Five junior college players are expected to sign letters of intent with the Warriors on Wednesday, the first day mid-year transfers may put their commitments in writing. They are: Wide receiver Vasquez Haynes (Blinn College), tight end Josh Long (Riverside College), offensive tackle David Griffin (Mesa College), and linebackers Julian Gener (Mount San Antonio College) and Tevita Lataimua (College of San Mateo). Two grayshirts — cornerback Anthony Pierce and linebacker Penitito Faalologo — are set to join the Warriors in […]

Tigi Hill, D-tackle commit to UH

By Stephen Tsai on December 15, 2012

Tigi Hill of Mesa College (and Kahuku High) and Daniel Ekuale of Vocational Technical High in American Samoa told the Warrior Beat they have accepted football scholarship offers from the Warriors. Hill, who is 6 feet 3 and 225 pounds, projects as UH safety. He received offers from Auburn, Oklahoma, Arizona State and Nebraska. He will have three years to play three UH seasons. Ekuale is 6 feet 5 and 295 pounds. He visited Oregon and Oregon State this past week. […]

Volleyball Warriors land Punahou outside hitter

By Stephen Tsai on December 15, 2012

The football Warriors aren’t the only UH team having a successful recruiting week. The volleyball Warriors landed one of the state’s top players — Punahou outside hitter Kupono Fey. He’s 6-5, athletic and comes from a good bloodline. His grandfather was Harry “Clown” Kahuanui, the first UH football player to compete in a collegiate all-star game. His bio can be found in UH’s Circle of Honor. Fey’s mother is Shelley Fey, a long-time basketball coach who is now Punahou’s chair […]

Offensive tackle commits to UH

By Stephen Tsai on December 14, 2012

David Griffin, a 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive lineman from Mesa College, has accepted a football scholarship from the Warriors. Griffin will sign a letter of intent on Wednesday, then enroll at UH in January. He will have two years to play two seasons. Griffin is from Tallahassee, Fla., where he was a standout in basketball and football. With only one Division I offer in basketball, he opted to focus solely on football. He attended Coffeyville College in 2010, where he redshirted, […]

Aiea’s Sale commits to UH; Fullerton hires Donovan

By Stephen Tsai on December 12, 2012

The Hawaii football team has secured a commitment from one of the state’s top high school football players. Aiea’s Ualesi “Wesley” Sale told the Warrior Beat he has accepted a UH scholarship offer and will join the Warriors in 2013. Sale, who is 6-2 and 230 pounds, recently completed a recruiting trip to San Diego State. He said a desire to play in front of family and friends was a key factor. Credit his girlfriend, who said UH would be […]