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Hoopai-Waikoloa makes history by signing to play college football

By Robert Collias 2 min read

Chanson Hoopai-Waikoloa is making a statement for Hana High and Elementary School.

On Tuesday, the 6-foot-1, 180-pound senior signed on to play football at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, Calif.

According to a press release from the school, Hoopai-Waikoloa is the first football player in the school's history to sign with a college for the sport and one of the first male Dragons to sign for any sport.

"I feel good about it, it's a privilege to be one of the first," Hoopai-Waikoloa said in a phone interview Thursday. "And I'm happy to be moving forward and continue my passion for football."

Hoopai-Waikoloa played several positions in his three seasons for the Dragons, including quarterback, linebacker, defensive end and tight end. He was named a second-team Maui Interscholastic League All-Star as a linebacker following the 2018 season, leading him to play in the Life Champions Bowl all-star game at King Kekaulike Stadium in December.

He was one of just two athletes from eight-player teams in the game and it was there he caught the eye of Golden West coaches.

"I would like to open a path and watch the children grow and they could follow me, follow my steps as I further my future," Hoopai-Waikoloa said of being a trailblazer for other Hana youths. "If they could follow me it would make me feel good."

Hoopai-Waikoloa has tight end in mind for college, where he plans to study to be an athletic trainer. His ultimate goal before graduation is to make the University of Hawaii football roster.

"I was recruited as a defensive end, but they asked to see me play multiple positions," Hoopai-Waikoloa said. "Golden West is a two-year college, so after finishing there I would like to go on and play for UH so I could have all my family and friends come over and watch. That would mean everything to me."

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com

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