Aloha for 'Stangs star Keanaaina

 

Aidan Ikaika Keanaaina says “Aloha!”

Mullen’s Big Man, aka “AK” or “the Big Kahuna,” recently competed in the 2020 Polynesian Bowl in, of course, Honolulu, Hawaii.

The senior, interior defensive lineman, 6-foot-3, 305 pounds, had a big cap to his prep career.

“I was out there for a week and it was an amazing experience there, I had so much fun,” he said. “I met some amazing people, created some future bonds with future teammates I’ll go to college with and some future (opponents). I got to see a lot of the talent out of state and we played in an all-star game.”

A Notre Dame signee, Keanaaina, all-league, all-state and All-Colorado, put the finishing touches on a glorious prep career (that includes strong grades and character) before his 18^th birthday, which won’t happen until next month.

And he has a lot to talk about.

For instance:

--- On playing for Team Mauka that edged Team Makai 20-13 at the Aloha Bowl: “I got to start and it was great to win the game. There was so much talent.”

--- On ending the game with a sack that helped to preserve the victory: “Oh, yeah, it was amazing, especially since my Dad told me ‘I’ll give you money if you get a sack, more money if you get an interception and all of it if you get a pick-six (an interception return for a touchdown).’ I had to get a sack to prove a point. Better late than never.”

--- On when he realized that he could fit in among the nation’s elite: “It was very reassuring once I got there. This was real talent … but once you got to practice, you were just like everyone else. You’re a high-school player I can play with. All of us were on that level.”

--- On joining others who have great size: “The funny thing is, I wasn’t the smallest defensive lineman, but when I was walking around the wide receivers were taller than me, the quarterbacks were taller than me and, of course, the offensive linemen were way bigger than me.”

--- And on looking back at his Hawaiian trip and understanding what he had accomplished as well as the big picture before he joins the Fighting Irish in June: “I realized how big it is. I know Colorado talent, but this was all of the (Division I) going to the next level. And you’re talking about kids from high schools from all over the country, from St. Louis, John Bosco, Mater Dei, some from the IMG … the highest-ranked schools and I started on the team. It was amazing.”

Below is a link to a video of Keanaaina earning his sack on the final play of the game: