Hawaii-signees Fanuaea and Altura enjoy Polynesian Bowl festivities

HONOLULU — Before they suit up for the University of Hawai’i football team, future Rainbow Warriors Vainuupo Fanuaea and Jahren Altura got one last opportunity to compete against fellow high school athletes on the gridiron.

The pair were among 100 of the best college signees and prospects that participated in weeklong activities leading up to 2026 Polynesian Bowl at Clarence T.C. Ching Field Friday night.

Many of the all-star game’s prior participants have excelled on the collegiate and professional level, including 2025 NFL first round picks Travis Hunter and Tetairoa McMillan.

Fanuaea, a tight end out of Nanakuli, said the experience was a blessing.

“Being surrounded by people who are considered the best of the best, not only at my position but around the world forces you to see where I need to work on myself,” Fanuaea said.

Both Fanuaea and Altura were on Team Makai, who was coached by Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson.

“It was a great experience being able to play in this game,” said Altura, a cornerback out of Saint Louis. “Everybody here is great competitors and with all these coaches it was awesome to be able to soak up the knowledge from them.”

Fanuaea added: “I think a lot of it was learning technique and using it. I feel like I just got to start building on that more so I can become a better player.”

Altura graduated from Saint Louis in December and will participate in spring ball with the Rainbow Warriors.

“Super excited to be able to join this group,” he said. “It’s a special group, just got to get out there and compete.”

Fanuaea will join the Rainbow Warriors in the summer. He is still competing on the prep level as a hoops player for a Golden Hawks team that is currently undefeated in OIA Division-I West play.