Nothing is set in lava, but there has been an early makeover on the Hawaii football team’s offensive line.
Ben Clarke, who started every game at center last year, is the lone returning fixture.
During the first two practices of training camp, Mike Milovale was the No. 1 left guard, a position he played in two games in 2012. He started seven games at right tackle.
Sean Shigematsu, who previously was a right tackle, was the left tackle. Leo Koloamatangi, who redshirted as a freshman in 2012, was the right tackle. Sully Wiefels, a junior-college transfer, was the right guard.
"We’re still not set," head coach Norm Chow said. "We have to keep going. We’re (practicing) in shorts now. When we put the pads on, we’ll see."
Koloamatangi, who is 6-foot-5, weighed 230 when he joined the Rainbow Warriors a year ago. He now weighs 290.
"The trick was to gain weight without losing mobility," Koloamatangi said.
He said he benefited working under UH strength coach Tommy Heffernan. He said Gary Beemer, who was hired as the football team’s strength coach in May, "advanced our program. Beemer shaped me."
Wiefels played one season at American River College. He was expected to return there and be part of the 2014 recruiting class. But as a "predictor" who met the NCAA requirements out of high school, he was eligible to transfer this year. He visited Hawaii in June, then two days later, signed a scholarship agreement with UH.
"If he stayed at the junior college, we probably wouldn’t have had a shot at him (in 2014)," Chow said.
Wiefels said he wanted to play for UH line coach Chris Naeole, who played 12 NFL seasons.
"He’s one of the best guards to ever play football," Wiefels said. "This is the place to be if you want to play guard and do it at a high level and fast pace. That was my goal coming in — to learn as much as I could, to pick his brain, and see where it would take me."
Chow said Wiefels is a "rugged, kind of ornery-type guy, which is what you want to have. It’s probably a reflection on his coach, who’s always ornery."
Haynes to sit out a week with bruised shoulder
Wide receiver Vasquez Haynes said he expects to be held out of practice for a week while he recovers from a deep bruise to the AC joint in his right shoulder.
"It’s not bad, it’s just sore," said Haynes, who suffered the injury while making a diving catch. "I’m going to get this shoulder right, then I’m going to go out there and start competing again."
Haynes suffered a "tweaked" ankle last month during offseason training.
"And now it’s my shoulder," he said. "We’re hoping to work out the kinks before the season starts. I’d rather get the kinks before the season. Hopefully, this is a sign I’m dealing with everything now so it will be smooth sailing during the season."
New cornerback Bowens getting up to speed
One of the fastest recruits — Kwamane Bowens of Virginia Beach — was rated the second-best high school receiver in Virginia by 247sports. At UH, he is practicing as a cornerback.
"I felt it would be a better position for me to play," Bowens said.
Bowens delayed his arrival until this past week to finish school work. To keep fit, he ran several miles a day in Virginia.
"I thought I was in good shape," he said. "But constantly sprinting (during UH practices), you find out how good a shape you’re in."
Assistant coach Daronte’ Jones has worked with Bowens on technique and positioning.
"Playing receiver in high school and playing corner in college are whole different things," Bowens said. "Technique is very important right now. It’s something I’ll get done."
