A former All-State offensive lineman will join the University of Hawaii football team on Monday.
Eliki Tanuvasa, a 2018 Saint Louis School graduate, said he is transferring from Eastern Illinois. He was named to the FCS All-Freshman third team as a center this past season.
“It was better for me to come home,” Tanuvasa said. “It was better for my family. It was better for me. Everything fell into place.”
Tanuvasa, who is 6 feet 2 and 315 pounds, said it was a two-fold decision. He said his father, Eric, a Honolulu police officer, has been suffering from an illness that has required hospitalization the past couple of months.
“He’s still in and out,” Tanuvasa said. “My family needs my support. I’m happy to help. That was the biggest thing, coming home and helping my family through this rough time.”
Tanuvasa also said it was a childhood wish to play for the Rainbow Warriors.
“I remember going to (UH) football games at (Aloha Stadium),” Tanuvasa said.
The venue’s allure dates to earlier in Tanuvasa’s life, even before playing many games there with Saint Louis.
“In Pop Warner, if we got to play at Aloha Stadium, that was the biggest day of my life,” he recalled. “Playing at Aloha Stadium was always a special moment.”
Tanuvasa was a three-year starter at Saint Louis. Although his sophomore year was abbreviated because of an injury, he was the center for quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa in 2016 and Chevan Cordeiro in 2017. Tanuvasa was named to the Star-Advertiser’s 2017 All-State first team as a senior.
“He’s real good,” Saint Louis coach Cal Lee said. “He’s hard-working, smart, and has a great family. He’s just a positive kid.”
After completing the fall semester at Eastern Illinois, Tanuvasa returned to Hawaii for the winter break, during which he decided to transfer. He requested and received a scholarship release from the Panthers.
“I saw my old quarterback Chevan doing great things,” Tanuvasa said. “And one of my best friends (Arasi Mose) committed to UH. Just hearing (Mose) talk about how it is to stay home and defend the name of Hawaii, I wanted to come home. … My parents wanted it to be my decision whether to stay on the mainland or come home. I decided to come home.”
