Molokai native and former Moanalua High School quarterback Tayden Kaawa has announced his commitment to the University of Alabama, choosing one of college football’s most storied programs as his future home.
Kaawa, a 6-foot-5, four-star signal caller, will enter his senior season this fall at Orem High School in Utah.
The standout passer spent his first two high school seasons at Moanalua on Oahu, where he threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns before transferring to the mainland to further pursue his football dreams.
“I’m super appreciative,” Kaawa said of his journey from the Friendly Isle to the SEC. “Where I come from, a lot of people don’t even know about it. If you visit Molokai, you’ll understand, it shows the type of person I am and why I’m so grateful. Coaches, baseball and football, pushed me along the way. I played baseball my whole life before football, and those coaches had a big impact on me. Coach Kenny Patton, especially, helped me with my strength and speed. I’m always thankful for him.”
Kaawa credited his family as his biggest supporters.
“My parents do everything for me. My mom, my siblings, they’ve made so many sacrifices,” he said. “I hope this shows the upcoming generation from Molokai that you can chase your dreams.”
Kaawa is the second Molokai product in recent years poised to reach the Power Five level.
Molokai High graduate Uso Seumalo is entering his senior season as a defensive tackle at Kansas State.