Konawaena’s Anahu-Ambrosio makes trip back home to the islands for Nevada vs. Hawai’i

Konawaena alumnus Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio did not have the most ideal high school football career.

A global pandemic wiped out his sophomore season, ever-changing COVID-19 restrictions influenced a move to a different state when he was a junior and a season-ending injury a few games into his senior year cut his playing days as a Wildcat prematurely.

But none of that could stop Anahu-Ambrosio from living out his dream of playing college football.

The redshirt freshman is one of three players that graduated from a Hawai’i high school that made the trip as members of the Nevada Wolf Pack as they prepare to take on the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors Saturday night at the T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.

Anahu-Ambrosio said he is looking forward to the experience of playing in the 50th state with familiar faces in the crowd.

“It’s such an amazing feeling coming back to Hawai’i to play in front of friends and family,” he said. “The energy and love from the hometown crowd just makes it so special.”

The 5-foot-11, 209-pound linebacker made his collegiate debut in early September against Georgia Southern when he played on special teams.

Konawaena coach Brad Uemoto, who coached Anahu-Ambrosio in 2019 and 2022, knew from the very beginning that Anahu-Ambrosio had what it took to play collegiate football.

Hezekiah Anahu-Ambrosio makes a reception against Waiakea during the 2022 BIIF regular season. | Brien Ing/ScoringLive

“You could tell that Heze was a special player from when he was really young,” said Uemoto. “He had a different work ethic than the rest of the kids and he was physically dominant.”

Anahu-Ambrosio was also the first player to start as a freshman for the Wildcats since they moved up from Division II to Division I in 2019. He was the team’s leading rusher as a freshman while also playing multiple positions and helped the Wildcats reach the league’s title game.

“As a freshman, his first game was against nationally-ranked Mission Viejo,” Uemoto said of Anahu-Ambrosio. “He competed and didn’t back down from anyone. Scored a receiving touchdown while starting both ways.”

The COVID-19 pandemic saw Anahu-Ambrosio play his junior season at Timpview in Provo, Utah where he recorded 94 tackles with nine sacks before he transferred back to Konawaena with younger brother Zedekiah in 2022.

“He came back to Konawaena his senior year as one of our leaders,” said Uemoto. “He had a previous stint with us as a freshman and earned his place in our program. When he came back for his senior season, he was a team captain, two-way starter at four different positions.”

A knee injury a few games into the 2022 season cut his senior year short however. Uemoto recalled that emotional moment, but knew Anahu-Ambrosio’s football career would not end there.

“His injury was a huge blow to our team. When I walked out there, he was obviously hurt, but he refused to get carted off. I remember him telling me ‘coach, I’m going to walk off.’ I helped pick him up and I just remember holding back my emotions knowing he was probably done. I told him later he had a lot more football in his career. I just knew he had it in him to rebound and be even better.”

Ahead of Nevada’s game against Hawai’i this weekend, Anahu-Ambrosio said that he misses the local food and the ‘laid-back vibe that you just can’t find anywhere else.’ But he stressed that this trip is all business.

“Going into the game against a tough Hawai’i team, I gotta keep my mindset sharp and stay focused,” he said. “Right now I’m focused on my role and doing my best to contribute to the team’s success.”

Also making the trip with Anahu-Ambrosio is quarterback AJ Bianco, a redshirt sophomore out of Saint Louis, and redshirt freshman Josiah Timoteo on the offensive line. Other local players on the roster include former Lahainaluna running back Josh Tihada and defensive lineman Zaiden Wallace, a recent graduate of Campbell.

“Having those guys from the islands around is awesome,” said Anahu-Ambrosio. “It really brings a sense of home to the team.”

Kickoff between the Wolf Pack and Rainbow Warriors is scheduled for 6 p.m.