The Polynesian Bowl has no shortage of star power
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - 19 Hawaii born five-star athletes prepare for their appearance in the the Polynesian Bowl this weekend.
Featuring world-champion coaches, 100 players across two rosters, and a record number of 19 Hawaii-born athletes, the annual showcase remains rooted in the islands.
For players like Farrington’s Koloi Keli, it’s a chance to come home after early enrolling at Oregon and practicing with the Ducks, not only representing his hometown of Kalihi, but also his Polynesian culture.
“Being able to represent my Samoan side, my Tokelauan side, you know, it’s huge for me,” Keli said. “It’s huge for me and my family.”
For others, like Cal commit Taimane Purcell, the event is an opportunity to celebrate accomplishments on the gridiron while soaking up knowledge from experienced coaches.
“I’ve never had a specific position coach at tight end. Especially in Hawaii, resources are very limited,” Purcell said. “So I’m definitely coming out here with an open mind, ready to learn.”
The Hawaii-born athletes are taking full advantage of these opportunities to put the islands on the map by playing in one of the premier all-star games in the country.
“I think every Hawaii kid is overlooked, and for me, I’m undersized,” Campbell’s Tainoa Lave said. “So you’ve just got to showcase that we can hang with people from all over — the five-stars, the four-stars, the big-school SEC commits.”
The local athletes will put their talents on full display this Friday in the Polynesian Bowl.
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