Brothers Feki and Tomasi Finau and cousin Maika Finau gather at the Kahului Airport for a flight to Missouri. All three are playing NCAA Division I football on scholarship at Lindenwood University. The Maui News/Gary Kubota

Makawao landscape businessman Semisi Finau knows he was fortunate to receive a scholarship to play college football. Now, with hard work, the good fortune has graced his two sons and a nephew.

The three are receiving an education while attending Lindenwood University in Missouri on football scholarships. This Lindenwood’s football program entered its third season as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference in 2024.

The Finau brothers, Tomasi and Feki, along with their cousin, Maika, all play on defense.

“My boys have come a long way,” said Semisi Finau, who played football at the University of Utah from 1994 to 1999. “I sensed their talent, and I knew they’d get recruited.”

The long way includes years of playing football and doing their best in a Division II high school football program while waiting for an opportunity.

Feki was a defensive tackle on King Kekaulike High School’s Na Alii football team when it won its second Maui Interscholastic League championship in Division II in 2023-24.

Simisi recalled Feki averaged several tackles a game as a high school player.

The size of these young men also helps. All three are taller than 6-foot-1′ and the lightest Finau player weighs 220 pounds.

Both Maika and Feki stand at 6 feet, 3 inches tall, with Maika weighing 300 pounds and Feki weighing 280.

Tomasi and Maika have two more years of eligibility as college players remaining. Feki, who redshirted in his first year, is expected to start as a freshman.

“It’s a great opportunity,” Feki said. “I’m looking forward to training and developing my skills.”