For Hawaii football coach Nick Rolovich’s latest spirit-of-aloha act, all that was needed was the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce, a K-pop trio from Seoul and more than 100 ha’a-performing players.
“I was planning this for at least a month,” Rolovich said of the presentation of defensive end Zeno Choi’s scholarship. “You have to plan for each guy.”
Last year, Rolovich placed a scholarship letter for short-snapper Brody Nakama on the 10-meter board at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex, and another one for running back Ryan Tuiasoa in the koala cage at Taronga Zoo in Australia. Last weekend, linebacker Max Broman was presented a scholarship during a hypnotist’s show.
This time, Rolovich wanted to tie the presentation with Choi’s Korean-American heritage. Rolovich called Shawn Hamamoto, president of the Hawaii Korean Chamber of Commerce. Because a Korean cultural fair was set for this weekend, Hamamoto proposed using the K-pop group Fantastie to be part of the ceremony.
At a team meeting on Thursday night, Rolovich concocted a cover story that donors from Japan would be attending Friday’s practice.
“I had to keep them off my tail,” said Rolovich, telling the players the “donors” wanted to see the ha’a. ” ‘I don’t like you guys being show ponies with your ha’a. I know it’s special, but can you please do it for me so we can keep blah-blah-blah happy?’ I gave them that sob story.”
Near the end of Friday’s practice, Rolovich summoned the players, who performed the ha’a for the visitors. Then three players presented gifts to Hamamoto and the Fantastie members. Choi then was handed a manila envelope. “When I opened it, I kind of had a feeling what it was,” Choi said. “I couldn’t read it. I couldn’t comprehend it.”
Teammates then swarmed Choi in celebration.
“They know (there is a scholarship) when they see the manila envelope,” Rolovich said. “You don’t get to open it up and read it anymore.”
The usually stoic Choi expressed thanks to the coaches, teammates and his father, Joo Hee Choi. “He’s been so supportive of me,” Choi said. “Without him, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this.”
Choi acknowledged he is a unique player. “When have you seen an Asian playing football?” Choi said.
Choi was an effective defensive lineman at Kaiser High. At the urging of two Kaiser coaches, Choi asked to join the Rainbow Warriors at center, a position he had never played. He soon was moved to the defensive line. Choi, who is listed as 6 feet 3 and 260 pounds, played in five games as a true freshman in 2015 and all 13 UH games in 2016.
“He’s worked his butt off,” Rolovich said. “He’s great in school. He’s a good teammate. He’s everything you can ask for. And he’s a really good player. And now he’s healthy, and he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder. I like rewarding guys like that.”