Baldwin 2026 graduate Kaholi Krau has committed to continue his academic and football career at Utah State. Courtesy photo

Baldwin graduate Kaholi Krau has committed to continue his academic and athletic career at Utah State, where he will play football for the Aggies in the Pac-12 Conference.

The 6-foot-6, 315-pound offensive lineman has drawn attention throughout his high school career for his size, strength, versatility and agility.

Krau’s experience has extended far beyond Maui as he has trained, competed and played throughout the United States and internationally in Ireland, London, Mexico and Japan.

After spending three years and winning two football championships at IMG Academy in Florida, Krau returned to Baldwin for his senior season.

In his only season at Baldwin, Krau played a major role on the offensive line and helped the Bears qualify in late 2025 for the First Hawaiian Bank HHSAA Division I State Championship Tournament. The appearance marked Baldwin’s return to the Division I state tournament after a five-year absence.

In addition to his athletic accomplishments, Krau compiled a 4.1 GPA.

“Work just as hard in the classroom as you do in sports,” Krau said of the advice he would give student-athletes on Maui. “Going through this process taught me that every college does a thorough background check on you before offering you a scholarship. Nothing will make a college coach lose interest faster than bad grades or a bad attitude. Be a good student, teammate and be coachable. Every day is an interview, and your reputation matters.”

Krau said he also learned that not all coaches are coaching for the right reasons and that some may not always put their players’ wellbeing and safety first.

“Don’t be afraid to speak up and do the right thing, especially when your health and safety are being compromised, but do it the right way,” Krau said. “Be respectful and be righteous.”

Utah State plays at the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision level, and Krau chose the school after receiving more than 50 scholarship offers and evaluating both his academic and athletic opportunities.

Baldwin offensive lineman Kaholi Krau (left) blocks as the Bears face Kamehameha Maui. Courtesy photo

At Utah State, Krau will continue his football career playing for head coach Bronco Mendenhall. Mendenhall, who was hired by Utah State in December 2024, has posted 16 bowl-eligible seasons in more than 19 years as a head coach, rebuilding programs at BYU and Virginia and guiding BYU to 11 consecutive bowl appearances.

“To our Maui community, I love you all,” Krau said. “Please watch for me playing on Saturdays. If you make it to an Aggies game, please look me up. I’ll always be happy to see someone from home.”

Krau also wanted to express his appreciation for those who helped him reach this point.

“I want to thank my parents and my five siblings for always supporting me and helping me get to this point,” he said. “I also want to thank Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall and coach Mario Acitelli for believing in me and giving me this opportunity.”

Krau also thanked coaches Vernon and Val Patao, along with all of the coaches at HI Performance Athletics, who have trained him since he was a little kid.

“I also want to thank Coach Jojo Dickson of Dickson Performance, who has been my strength and conditioning coach since middle school, and Coach Lawrence Kuahaʻahaʻa, who was my first powerlifting coach,” he said.

Krau is also grateful for the Baldwin track and field and canoe paddling coaches for allowing him to experience different sports and grow as an athlete.

“I’m thankful for all of my IMG Academy coaches, staff, and teammates who helped me become the person and football player I am today, especially while I was away from home,” he said. “I also want to thank my Baldwin football teammates for welcoming me back and helping me adjust to being home on Maui again.”

Baldwin offensive lineman Kaholi Krau
lines up at the line of
scrimmage. Courtesy photo