Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 11, 1 November 2015 — Honoring Polynesia's greatest players [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Honoring Polynesia's greatest players

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame celebnation weekenel

By Francine Kananionapua Murray II n about two years time, * * the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has heeome a tremendous source of pride for the Polynesian community," said Dan Ahuna of the Hall of Fame Steering Committee and OHA Trustee. "It's an important bridge in educating our youth and others about our culture and our football heroes from our past and present." Being recognized by the hall has

become an honor that is prized in the Polynesian community. "Personally this means so mueh more than the Heisman Trophy," said Marcus Mariota at the 2015 Enshrinement Weekend when he was awarded the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award, for his performanee as the junior quarterback for the University of Oregon in 2014. Mariota is the first Heisman Trophy winner of Polynesian Ancestry. Some of football's finest are island boys and inductees of the Class of 2016 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will be honored in a weekendlong celebration, the Enshrinement Weekend, in January. They are: • Charles Teetai Ane, Jr. - A twotime Pro Bowl piek and three-time

All-Pro, who led the Detroit Lions to three division titles and two world championships. • Rockne Crowningburg Freitas - A Pro Bowl player, two-time All-Pro piek, Hula Bowl, Coaches All-America Bowl and the College All-Star Game player. He was selected as the Detroit Lions offensive MVP in 1972, the first lineman to earn the honor. • Troy Polamalu - A two-time

Super Bowl Champion with eight Pro Bowl and five-time All-Pro picks. He was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, and named to Pittsburgh Steelers AllTime Team. • Vai Sikahema - Won the college football Nahonal Championship in 1984, was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and the first Tongan to play in the Nahonal Football League. • Albert Lolotai - Is honored as

a contributor to Polynesian football since he was a pioneer clearing the path for future players by being the first Polynesian to play in the NFL. The festivities will eommenee with a reception and celebration dinner on Friday, January 29 at the Hawai'i Convention Center. On Saturday, Jan. 30 it's off to the Polynesian Cultural Center. Visit the new Hall of Fame Gallery for the 2016 Dedication, where the achievements of Polynesian football legends will be forever enshrined. Enjoy the exclusive ceremony, get autographs from your favorite players, and view the unique Polynesia-style Inductee Canoe Parade. Ticket and more information is available at www.polynesian footballhof.org. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame was established in 2013 by Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma'a Tanuvasa. The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Gallery is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center. ■

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PFHF Steering Commiftee member and OHA Trustee Dan Ahuna, PFHF Board of Director June Jones, PFHF Chairman & Founder Jesse Sapolu, and PFHF Vice-Chairman & Founder Maa Tanuvasa announee the 2016 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class. - Photo: OHA Communications