IslandAthlete.com - NLI Day Draws a Crowd in Honolulu

February 7, 2008

IslandAthlete.com Staff Writer

National Signing Day in Honolulu is like nowhere else in the country. Where else can you find almost every football player in the state in one location. What has previously been an event for big Polynesian offensive and defensive lineman now sees more skill players putting ink to the paper. The 2008 class includes 46 football signees with University of Hawaii, Cal, Arizona, Washington, Oregon State, West Virginia, UNLV, Idaho, Army, Navy and more.

Coach Greg McMackin from the University of Hawaii was the big winner in this class on his first recruiting venture as a head coach. Even with the late start due to the Head Coaching change, Hawaii landed some of the big fish. But the biggest fish in the water, Solomon Koehler, DT, Castle H.S., did not waiver on his commitment to the University of Arizona. Aaron Tipoti, from Word of Life Academy, with a graduating class numbering around 35 students, signed with Cal. Apparently small island schools with big powerful lineman are relatively commonplace.

Over 200 family, friends and high school coaches and administrators watched as student athletes signed at the Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance Signing Day Party Included in the signing were:

Solomon Koehler, DT, Castle H.S.; Arizona
Aaron Tipoti, DL, Word of Life Academy; Cal
Geordon Hanohano, DL, Saint Louis School; Hawaii
Haku Correa, DL, Damien Memorial H.S.; Hawaii
Earvin Sione, WR, McKinley H.S.; Hawaii
Mykenna Ikehara, OL, Kamehameha Schools; Washington
Art Laurel, DE, Leilehua; Hawaii
Alema Tachibana, LB, Kahuku, Hawaii
Robert Siavii, LB, Leilehua; Idaho
Kama Bailey, RB, Damien Memorial H.S.; Idaho
Daniel Kaanana, OL, Kamehameha Schools; UNLV
Isaiah Lavea, DT, Kamehameha Schools; Idaho
Matthew Shibata, WR, Mid Pacific Institute; Navy
Bruce Andrews, DB, Kalaheo; Navy
Kahikolu Pescia, OL, Kamehameha Schools; Navy
Ekolu Soon, WR, Kamehameha Schools, West Point
Lake Casco, DB, SS, Lahainaluna H.S.; Penn
Shiloah Te'o, SS, Kahuku; BYU
JJ Autele, LB, Punahou; San Diego State
Ryan Eastman, OL, Saint Louis; Weber State
Brandon McKee, SS, Saint Louis; Charleston
Pono Perez, SB, Kamehameha Schools; CSU Pueblo
Jason Campbell, Kamehameha Schools; CSU Pueblo
Cody Kilthau, CB, Mililani; Valley City State College
James Buchanan, WR, Aiea; Valley City State College
Clifton Gabres-Agre, Damien; Montana Western

Signing elsewhere in Hawaii:
Sean Tesoro, OL, Baldwin; UNLV
Paipai Falemalu, LB, Kahuku, Hawaii
Anthony Siilata, OL, Kahuku, Oregon State
Benji Kemoeatu, OL, Kahuku, West Virginia

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