Lineback-up

Dave Reardon and Jason Kaneshiro have an article about the nagging injuries that are keeping a lot of the players out of practice. But some of the back-ups are stepping up, like Micah Lau.

Lau worked extensively with the first unit yesterday. The 5-foot-9, 207-pound junior had seen limited action on special teams prior to this season, but he's earned the praise of his coaches and some action with the first-teamers with his effort in camp.

"Probably our most improved outside 'backer, maybe our most improved player from last year, is (No.) 26," Glanville said.

At nose tackle, first stringer Michael Lafaele was out for a second straight day, but his back-up Lawrence Wilson was back to practice, though he is still limited due to his injury.

Stephen Tsai has an article about a charity that benefits HUGS and the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Hawai'i for severely ill children, through the June Jones Foundation. The charity's website, www.warriorsrespond.com sells products emblazoned with the chant "eo na toa, eo na toa e".

The UH football chant, played before and during games, originated from a discussion between Jones, the Warriors' head coach, and Emmy Award-winning composer Mike Post, who crafted the themes for such television shows as "L.A. Law," "Hill Street Blues," "Law & Order" and "NYPD Blue."

During a dinner at the Waialae Country Club three years ago, Post told Jones: "You've got to find something that is so Polynesian that it relates to your football team. You need a slogan, words to live by, whose meaning is hyper specific to Hawai'i."

Post called Kanalu Young, an associate professor at the Kamakakakuolani Center for Hawaiian Studies.

Young suggested this phrase, eo na toa, eo na toa e, which, according to the Web site, translates to: "Respond fellow Warriors, respond with one's heart to the challenges that lie ahead of us."

"I passed the phone to June," Post recalled. "His eyes got big. He said, 'I'll never have to give another speech in my life.' "

That's pretty cool. Go support the charity and get a cool t-shirt out of it. I'm getting this one:



And be sure to chant "eo na toa, eo na toa e" when you're wearing it at Foodland. I would get a green one too, but they don't have one yet. Anyways, go visit!

The rest of Stephen Tsai's article has some injury updates and a short profile on Micah Lau as well. Micah is famous today.

Lau, who earned a scholarship because of his play on special teams last year, is becoming the guest who won't go away. At 5 feet 9 and 215 pounds, Lau is athletic (35-inch vertical jump), strong (bench presses 385 pounds) and a sure tackler.

"He's our best run-stopper," Kafentzis said. "He takes on the fullback the best out of anybody. This guy is a sleeper."

Good to hear we got depth there, especially with all the injuries, and I would guess there should be a lot of rotation going on in the Bama heat.