The Los Angeles Rams brought a mini camp to Maui last week, offering local fans and athletes a unique opportunity to watch and interact with the professional athletes.

On June 17, youth football and flag football players from across Maui joined Rams players and coaches in special clinics focused on developing skills and building confidence on the field.

The Rams’ relation to Hawai’i dates back to their 2019 preseason game at Aloha Stadium on Oʻahu — a matchup that supported Maui wildfire relief efforts. Now, with the Hawai’i Tourism Authority sponsor, the Rams chose Maui as their minicamp destination, further strengthening that relationship.

Beyond practice sessions and a public scrimmage, the Rams made interacting with the local community a priority including hosting youth clinics, surprising Lahainaluna High School with brand new locker rooms and partnering with Habitat for Humanity to help rebuild homes lost in the wildfires.

Shining a light on the resilience of the island and its people, the Los Angeles Rams uplifted spirits of many of Maui’s young athletes including Kilihea Lee of Kamehameha Schools Maui and Kelia Hewahewa of King Kekaulike High School who helped launch their schools’ first girls flag football teams this past season.

The Rams’ presence offered these athletes a rare chance to sharpen their skills and fuel their passion with guidance from NFL professionals.

“My favorite part of this camp was getting an opportunity to play with these NFL players, and the environment was really good,” Hewahewa said. “Everyone was so positive and they made it really fun.”

“My favorite part of the training was the training itself, which I think it’s, you know, fun,” Lee added. “Running routes, and it is even more fun being coached up by the NFL players who do this for a living.”

Coming from Maui, there is not the same level of exposure to professional athletes that larger cities might have.

This rare opportunity gave local kids and the community a chance to experience something special at home.

“It was definitely nerve-racking, but it’s also really encouraging to know that girls from an outer island – especially Maui — are getting a chance to have opportunities to play with such high level players, as well as girls within this new rising sport,” Lee said. “When I first heard that the Rams were coming, I was definitely happily surprised.”

“I think it was a really good experience for us,” Hewahewa said. “Especially coming from a small island that does not really get seen as much. I am really grateful for this opportunity and it has been really fun. When we first heard they were coming, I was surprised because they usually donʻt come here, so it was nice and again I am really grateful.”