Hawaii football gets dynamic playmaker in Hiki Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo

When you combine hard work with phenomenal talent and loyalty, the end result is Hiki Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo.

The ‘Aiea senior was honored by family, friends and faculty members in a commemorative signing day event Thursday afternoon to signify his future as a member of the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors football team.

With fellow student-athletes and even future collegiate teammates in attendance, the ceremony not only served as a testament of Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo’s journey — but also a celebration for an entire community.

“It’s special, it’s like the first time (that ‘Aiea) did this,” Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo said of the event put on at the ‘Aiea High School gymnasium. “Shoutout to the staff for making this possible for me, this day is special.”

Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo wore many hats during his four-year varsity career for the Na Ali’i, ranging from safety, wide receiver, running back, quarterback and as a kicking and return specialist.

After catching 78 passes for 1,067 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior year to help ‘Aiea reach the OIA Division I championship game and state tournament, Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo will likely be playing receiver for the Rainbow Warriors, but he is willing to play any position to get onto the field.

“They listed me as a receiver, but I’m open to playing on the defensive side of if I got to fill in on running back or just anything, I’m just excited to be on the field,” he said.

First-year ‘Aiea offensive coordinator Ola Willing spoked glowingly of Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo.

“I think Hiki just comes out and plays the game the right way,” Willing said. “He’s unselfish, he does what the coaches ask. His work ethic is just right on and it spreads out to the rest of the team and that’s why I think we were so successful this year.”

Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo’s greatness was evident very early on for the ‘Aiea football team.

As a freshman, Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo shined in big moments with an interception and fumble recovery in back-to-back weeks in the OIA Division I championship game and state quarterfinals.

In his sophomore year he had nine receptions for 170 yards and two scores in a game against Moanalua and then filled in at quarterback in a must-win game against Nanakuli to make the playoffs and ran for 135 yards and three TDs while completing eight passes for 89 yards.

Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo flexed his versatility even more as a junior by adding a pair of passing TDs to his ledger in addition to scoring on a kickoff return and a punt return.

But there were no college offers yet.

With the talent that Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo possessed, he could have easily left ‘Aiea to go play high school ball at a higher profile school in the state to boost his recruiting stock. Instead, he put his head down and continued to work where his feet were planted.

“It was a struggle because my freshman to my junior year, I didn’t get no looks, no scouts,” said Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo.

“I reached out everyday after every game, I was sending my film out and got nothing until my senior year that UH just gave me a shot, just grateful for them.”

He also credited the staff at ‘Aiea for pushing him to be great off the field as well.

“It means a lot because it starts with them,” said Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo. “They just pushed me every single day to do better in the classroom. Without them, I don’t know where I would be.”

During the ceremony, ‘Aiea head coach Mika Liilii commended Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo’s loyalty and said that he is the example for the next generation of Na Ali’i student-athletes.

“He signs with the University of Hawai’i, not just as an athlete, but also as a blueprint, a reminder to every kid coming up behind him that greatness grows right here, in A-Town,” said Liilii.

In addition to his gaudy receiving stats as a senior, Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo also rushed for 358 yards and nine scores while also adding a defensive TD off an interception to his ledger. He also kicked the game-winning field goal from 21 yards out with 2:34 remaining in regulation to beat Wai’anae on the road in the OIA semifinals.

Kim Choy-Keb Ah Lo will greyshirt for the Rainbow Warriors before joining the team for practice in spring 2027.