Malik Alatasi, a former Kahuku High defensive end, is joining the University of Hawaii football team this summer.

“I decided to stay home,” said Alatasi, a 2015 Kahuku graduate who played the past two seasons at Ventura (Calif.) College. “Home is home.”

Alatasi is 6 feet 3 and 240 pounds. He projects to play defensive end for the Rainbow Warriors.

In three semesters, Alatasi earned an associate degree, an eligibility requirement for a transferring player. He will have three years to play two UH seasons.

Alatasi has kept busy since moving back to Hawaii in January. He works in construction between participating in morning and evening fitness programs.

“I’ve got to stay busy,” Alatasi said.