Rolovich reinstates Gifford
CRAIG T. KOJIMA / APRIL 5
Ka‘aumoana Gifford, is seen during a University of Hawaii football practice in April.
Defensive tackle Ka‘aumoana Gifford has been reinstated to the University of Hawaii football team under provisional conditions.
Gifford had been suspended from team-related activities since his April 12 arrest on a misdemeanor charge of obstruction. He also was charged with a misdemeanor for leaving the scene of an accident in a separate incident.
While on suspension, Gifford was allowed to remain on scholarship and attend classes.
UH coach Nick Rolovich said Gifford will be allowed to participated in the organized offseason conditioning program that begins May 31.
As conditions for reinstatement, Gifford will have to meet “bench marks” for academic progress and community service, Rolovich said.
“We will make a decision before training camp on his final status,” Rolovich said. The Rainbow Warriors report to training camp on July 31.
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In March, Gifford was charhed with leaving the scene of an accident. His attorney, Paul Cunney, said the incident was a “fender bender,” and Gifford left after failing to reach a financial agreement with the other driver.
On April 12, Gifford was arrested after he allegedly interfered when police officers tried to arrest teammate Kennedy Tulimasealii, who was accused of being involved in an altercation with an ex-girlfriend.
The charges will be addressed jointly in a hearing scheduled for June 3 in District Court. Cunney is hoping the court will accept a deferred plea enabling Gifford’s case to be expunged if he avoids trouble during a probationary period.
Rolovich said Gifford has expressed remorse for the incidents.
Cunney said Gifford’s best friend and his mother died the past month. Gifford’s mother’s memorial service is Saturday.
“How he’s continued to move forward has been impressive,” Rolovich said.
Tulimasealii, whose case will be tried in Circuit Court next month, remains on suspension.
14 responses to “Rolovich reinstates Gifford”
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Star Advertiser, Please proof read your work- this is quite embarrassing.
Haha- batchi- hit “send” before I could scan and “proofread”
Haha, they type like me! Not to good!
funny funny bugs bunny !!!
This kid should be riding the bench until his case is adjudicated. The charges are serious, obviously academics at UH aren’t.
I am not sure if you are reading the same story or the in between the lines version. Trying to cover up a friend who has been cuffed, pepper sprayed lying naked on the ground in public…….this KID was trying to help a friend, sorry but HPD has lost my trust for a very long time. Leaving the accident scene was not a smart decision, however, he tried to resolve it …….. again I have seen worse …… as for academics at UH not being important ……. gotta disagree with you there as a recent 2016 graduate where many of the athletes graduated……. I trust what Coach Rolo is doing other coaches have done similar acts of second chances.
Hmmmm… I read, “Gifford left after failing to reach a financial agreement with the other driver.”
Shouldn’t both parties just exchange insurance information and get a police report taken? Sounds like he didn’t want to do that and left before the police arrived. Wonder why? Lesson to learn: always get a police report no matter how small.
Hope he straightens himself out because it sounds like he’s heading down the wrong path. Hope Coach Rolo really watches his behavior and doesn’t just let him slide that would do him more harm than good.
Some people just have poor reading comprehension.
All we need now is the big man k.t. !
Give the guy a break, his mom just died. That is really harsh given he is still a young man, as she probably died young. Rolo sees the big picture, so decided not to pile on when the guy is down. I am sure he will be under a microscope from now on and this is his last chance, plus he now needs to redeem himself for the sake and memory of his mom. I predict that he will straighten up, fly right, and be highly motivated from now on given that his family honor is at stake.
True Dat iceebear. WE STAND WITH HIM.
yes and also his best friend, who I believe may be the one that got hit by a drunk driver in Nanakuli – that alone is devastating on top of losing his mom. I think these last couple of months have been tough for him and his family and hopefully he has learned from any mistakes he’s made. This also makes him a stronger man to move forward. Good luck to him and I hope all works out that he will be able to stay with the team AND earn his degree in the future. Coach Rolo has great insight and trust that he knows Ka’au’s character – if not he would have not reinstated him with conditions.
If you were in his place, right now, what would you do?
Coach Rolo, You Da Man!