Kema, Hawai’i preparing for life before and after the final whistle blows

HONOLULU – When he arrived from Snow College in Utah to the beaches of Hawai’i three years ago, Noah Kema was a highly-regarded JUCO transfer linebacker with years of eligibility to use and grow. 

A 3-star transfer and rated as the 4th-best available junior college linebacker in the portal by 247Sports, Kema took the jump from the continent to the islands with a first-year head coach in Timmy Chang taking over a program in turmoil. With uncertainty with players and direction, the addition of a proven winner from the junior college level would help the maturation and development of the culture going forward through his habits. 

In return, Kema would enter a program that promised development not only on the field but also off it. From the first year that Chang took over as head coach, the Hawai’i football program has put an emphasis on developing connections for life after players have to hang up the cleats. 

“It’s amazing,” said Kema. “Coach Chang, [associate head coach Chris Brown], the entire coaching staff is huge on professional development. They’re invested in life after football and not only do they love us during our 4-5 years here, but they love us in the future and they’re preparing us professionally.” 

While every football player’s dream is to take snaps in the NFL, the numbers prove that the likelihood of getting those chances are incredibly slim. Without forcing players to give up on dreams of playing the game at the highest level, UH has taken an extra step to ensure that players have a plan for the future when football eventually ends. 

“For those of us that might not get a shot at the NFL – obviously the odds and percentages are low,” the senior linebacker explained. “Coach Chang, first thing when he got [to UH] was he got with the lawmakers and politicians and the business owners here and put together Braddahhood Grindz with Ryan Tanaka.” 

In partnership with the Hawaii Restaurant Association (HRA), UH athletes get fed meals as part of a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. As the partnership grew to working with over 250 athletes at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, the professional development program was added as a way for athletes to get connected and learn in future professional environments effectively. 

“I’ve been a part of [the Braddahhood Grindz] program for three years and this third year, I took part in the professional development where they connect us with CEOs, like I said, politicians, other business leaders,” Kema shared. “I’m with Hawaii Pacific Health, [HPH Director of Marketing and Communications] Claire Tong, and I’m in their marketing department so I’ve been able to shadow her.” 

With an emphasis in providing hands-on experiences, Kema has been able to work on campaigns, commercial-making and content creation in his time with Hawaii Pacific Health. The charismatic linebacker is just one of 10+ football players at the University of Hawai’i to partake in a local summer internship and found himself having plenty of fun while preparing for professional life. 

On the field, Kema is part of an energized “Lion’s Den” linebacker core that returns five members with starting experience. Under the direction of new defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman, the entire defense is looking forward to bringing consistency day-in and day-out for the Rainbow Warriors.  

Noah Kema lines up for a snap during Hawai’i football practice. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Even when the final whistle blows this season for Hawai’i, Kema knows that his choice in coming to the islands will have been a worthwhile one. While living out his football dreams in paradise, he has also become ready for life’s next challenge, whatever it may be. 

“For me, I love it. I love being an athlete, doing what I do on the field,” Kema smiled. “But I love even more that I’m getting prepared for life after football because I know that’s a real thing.”