KAILUA-KONA — Alan “Kaua” Awana is ready to run with the Greyhounds.
Awana — a two-time All-BIIF pick for Kealakehe on the offense line — has signed a scholarship deal to attend Eastern New Mexico University.
“I’m excited for this next step. I’ve been working my whole life for this — since I was 8, back in Pop Warner days. It feels good to finally have the opportunity,” Awana said. “Not a lot of people, especially from Hawaii, get a chance like this. I want to thank God for the blessing of this opportunity and letting me be a part of such a great game. I also want to thank my coaches and family who helped make this happen.”
Awana said he made contact with the program last summer at a camp, and while he hasn’t made a visit to the school, he expects to feel at home at the Portales, New Mexico, campus that has just more than 6,000 students.
“They kept in constant contact,” said Awana, who was weighing multiple offers. “That’s what really made me feel like it was the right fit for me. They wanted me there.”
The Greyhounds are an NCAA Division II program and play out of the Lone Star Conference. Eastern New Mexico finished last year with a 5-6 record, including a 28-0 win over West Texas A&M in the Wagon Wheel rivalry.
Eastern New Mexico head coach Coach Kelley Lee was ecstatic when asked about the addition of the 6-foot-1, 275-pound Awana to the roster.
“Alan brings a ton of potential with him to Portales. He has great feet and very violent hands,” Lee said. “He moves great for a big man and comes from a really good program out in Hawaii. We think Alan can be a big contributor for the Hounds in the future.”
The Greyhounds run what they call the “Ground Strike” offense, a triple option attack that produced 284.5 yards on the ground per game last season. Awana said he’s ready to embrace the physicality of the run-heavy look.
“You gotta have those violent hands,” Awana said with a laugh, reflecting on his future coach’s word about him. “I’m ready to run in that Ground Strike, pull around and knock some guys around.”
A four-year varsity player with the Waveriders, Awana played two years at tackle and two at guard. He said he’s expecting to be a guard with the Greyhounds, but is prepared for anything.
Reflecting on his time at Kealakehe, Awana was thankful for the experience and knows the lessons he learned will translate to the next level.
“It was great. I learned a lot of determination and being persistent,” Awana said. “Sadly, we didn’t get the BIIF championship we wanted, but other than that it was a great four years I’ll always remember. I love being around my teammate and training hard.”