Trip to American Samoa

Jason Kaneshiro writes about the American Samoa Football Academy and Medical Mission.

The June Jones Foundation established the mission last year. Along with Jones, current Warriors coach Greg McMackin and former UH players Jesse Sapolu and Ma'a Tanuvasa are returning for the second year.

"Those kids are so receptive and so respectful, it's an awesome feeling to go out there and see so many Samoan brothers out there," Tanuvasa said. "They just soak everything in.

"They're catching up to us, but a lot of the kids are coming in slippers and bare feet and still kind of grasping the game. The coaches out there have done a great job; they already know a lot of the basics."

Satele, UH assistants Craig Stutzmann and Tony Tuioti, former UH lineman Ta'ase Faumui also made the trip. Jack Thompson, known as the "Throwin' Samoan" during his days at Washington State and with the Cincinnati Bengals, will also be part of the clinics.

Dave Reardon has a column about the humanitarian aspects of the trip.

Meet the unsung heroes of this undertaking -- the people in this delegation who will provide the most long-lasting positive effect on the people of American Samoa.

Anita Ciarlieglio, Robert Esteban, Francisco Garcia, Scott Holuby, Carolyn Ma, Jessica Munoz, Daniel Nabas, Ellie Taft-Reinebold, Marci Tapusoa, Kelli Te'o. These doctors, nurses, social workers and students won't show anyone how to block and tackle.

They'll merely teach others how to save lives.

JACK THOMPSON, "The Throwin' Samoan," noted the incredible statistic that a male from American Samoa is 40 times more likely to play in the NFL than a non-Samoan American.

But the health care stats aren't so good. Jones pointed out some of them. The more cynical among you will call this a glorified football recruiting trip. But $400,000 in medical supplies and services and the fact that this is the second annual venture speak otherwise of the June Jones Foundation.

SamoaNews.com has a short article about the trip.

Stephen Tsai has photos from the trip.

cfetters has posted more photos on WSN.