This is the weekend where it all becomes a 20-year full circle for Pisa Tinoisamoa in Hawaii.

This morning he is scheduled to hold a “Cleats for Character” session on behalf of his old team, the Los Angeles Rams, with the Farrington High football team, donating cleats worn by Rams and sharing something potentially even more valuable — a compelling personal perspective on character and goal-setting.

Today and Saturday he and Rams safety John Johnson III will provide tips to some 300 players from eight schools during a 7-on-7 passing and Big Man Championships sessions at ‘Iolani School.

It is a far cry from what initially brought him here in 1999. Back then, coming out of Vista (Calif.) High, it was June Jones and the University of Hawaii that gave a talented but trouble-prone Tinoisamoa an opportunity to re-set a course for his own success.

Tinoisamoa had a series of scrapes with the law, the biggest one involving a fight that led to an assault charge and four months in a California detention facility.

But Jones, who had glimpsed Tinoisamoa’s story while coaching the San Diego Chargers, saw something beyond remarkable football skills. Enough to pledge an opportunity to turn things around, if Tinoisamoa would devote himself to the task.

“I saw his mother driving three hours every day to go visit him and knew he had a strong family behind him,” Jones recalls.

Then, Jones assigned assistant coach Dennis McKnight to attend a hearing with a proposal. McKnight told the judge the school was offering a scholarship and a fresh start in a new environment.

“I felt if we could get him out of that area, he could show what he was really like,” Jones recalled.

Jones said, “The judge agreed and told him something like, ‘If I ever see you back in my courtroom again, you’ll be sorry.”

But the NCAA subsequently ruled one of his classes did not qualify as a core subject (later reversed) and Tinoisamoa wasn’t immediately eligible to play, which led to struggles with weight as well as focus.

“We had a heart-to-heart talk and he knew what he had to do,” Jones said.

In time, Tinoisamoa emerged as a Warriors leader and one of their most popular players. He became a two-time All-Western Athletic Conference performer and set a school record for unassisted tackles (89 in 2002) that still stands.

The Rams made him the 43rd overall pick in the 2003 draft, the highest a UH player would go in 16 years, until Jahlani Tavai matched it this year.

When he got to the Rams, Tinoisamoa said he embraced jersey No. 50 in recognition of the 50th State, where he made his life U-turn.

“If it wasn’t for Hawaii, I wouldn’t be in the NFL, that’s how I feel,” Tinoisamoa said at the time.

He became the first rookie to lead the Rams in tackles and topped the category for three of his six years with the team. Tinoisamoa spent two more years with the Chicago Bears, retiring with nearly 500 career tackles, 51 for loss.

Four years ago the Rams honored Tinoisamoa’s contributions by having him announce their second-round pick at the NFL Draft.

Now, 37, Tinoisamoa has been the defensive coordinator for Tri-City Christian School in Vista, where his four children attend.

“He’s doing a good job,” said Jones, who stays in contact with Tinoisamoa. “I think coaching (at a higher level) could be in his future.”

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@staradvertiser.com or 529-4820.