Mapu chooses Tennessee
by Malamute, 30 January 2002

Washington has a number of players of Polynesian descent on its roster, including incoming Honolulu recruits Donny Mateaki and Brandon Ala. According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Mateaki cited Washington's Hawaiian connections as being prominent in his decision.  After a day of fasting and praying on Sunday, Jonathan Mapu, standout defensive lineman from Kahuku high school in Hawaii, was ready to choose among: Washington, Hawaii, Tennessee and BYU? According to yesterday morning's Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Mapu said he was going to Tennessee.

Mapu (6-foot-3, 265 pounds) had a hard time reaching a decision. At one time he was leaning towards Washington, but trips to Hawaii, Tennessee and BYU clouded the issue. Simi Mapu hoped his son would play for Hawaii, but did not pressure him. Simi played linebacker for Brigham Young University and for the University of Hawaii, where he lettered in 1975.

In my mind, each of the four schools offered something different for Mapu.

• BYU was an attractive choice; his father played for BYU, and the Mapu’s are devout members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. One of Jonathan’s cousins plays for BYU.

• The University of Hawaii was close to home--that coupled with his father’s Rainbow playing days. The Mapu’s were impressed by their trip to UH.

• Washington and Tennessee are members of college football's elite, fielding successful programs year in and year out. And of course Washington has the Polynesian/Hawaiian connection on its player roster and coaching staff; it would have been closer to home for Mapu than Tennessee would have been. The Vols lose their starting defensive linemen to graduation, and most of their replacements will be seniors. (Note that Ala and Mateaki are projected as defensive linemen at Washington, as Mapu would be.)

According to Simi Mapu, academics were to have been an important part of the decision-making process, and they may have been.

Regardless, Washington managed to land two of the three best football players from Hawaii, and in part, this is due to its Polynesian/Hawaii connection (see below). And, indeed, if early playing time is a strong consideration for five-star prospects, then Washington has an excellent chance of landing California running back Lorenzo Booker from Ventura.

Players and coaches with Hawaiian/Polynesian connections on the Husky roster:

• Tom Williams, outside linebacker's coach, was a defensive coordinator at the University of Hawaii in 1975.

• Offensive coordinator Keith Gilbertson played for Hawaii (1968, 1969).

• Former Kamehameha athlete Ikaika Malloe (lettered at Washington 1993-1996) also is on Washington's staff.

• Former Iolani trainer Craig Moriwaki is now a trainer at University of Washington. When Donny Mateaki tripped to Washington, Husky players William Kava and Joe Lobendahn hosted him. He also met with Ikaika Malloe and former player Ink Aleaga.

• Joseph Lobendahn (inside linebacker, 5-foot-11, freshman) hails from Honolulu, Hawaii.

• William Kava (6-foot-3, 275, offensive lineman, Laie, Hawaii) is of the Mormon faith 

• Zach Tuiasosopo (outside linebacker, 6-foot-2, 235, redshirt freshman, Woodinville, Washington) is of Samoan descent.

• Tui Alailealeula (defensive lineman, 6-foot-4, 270, freshman, Anchorage, Alaska) is of Samoan descent.

• Tusi Sa’au (defensive lineman, 6-foot-2, 300, freshman, Seattle, Washington) was born in America Samoa. 

• Manase Hopoi defensive end, 6-foot-4, 240, freshman, Sacramento, California).

• Ken Walker, fullback (6-foot-1, 230, redshirt senior) is from Honolulu, Hawaii.

• Houdini Jackson (6-foot-1, 245, outside linebacker) played for Tom Williams at Hawaii.

Credits: 

Some of the information for this article was taken from dawgman.com, The Honolulu Advertiser and The Honolulu Star-Bulletin.