‘Such a joy’: Hawaii roots bond local players on California Golden Bears roster

Sports admin August 28, 2026 0 Comments

‘Such a joy’: Hawaii roots bond local players on California Golden Bears roster

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The California Golden Bears football roster features a significant amount of talent from Hawaiʻi.

Eight local players are currently in Berkeley, led by starting quarterback Jaron Keawe Sagapolutele.

“The Hawaiʻi to Cal pipeline is strong, and just being able to be around those guys every single day, it’s been amazing. I mean, they make things so fun, just being around them is such a joy,” Sagapolutele said.

“The kids from Hawaiʻi that… seem to have it, it seems to be as contagious as any other culture and in such a positive way,” said Cal associate head coach Nick Rolovich, a former University of Hawaiʻi quarterback and head coach.

Veteran presence on the defensive front

Redshirt senior defensive lineman Stanley Saole-McKenzie is the veteran of the group and has spent his entire collegiate career in the Bay Area.

The Saint Louis School graduate has played in 40 games, becoming a key contributor on the Golden Bears’ defensive line.

“When I first came in here, it was me and one other kid, and just seeing over the years how much kids from the rock come out here and live their dreams, and being a part of their journey feels wholesome,” Saole-McKenzie said. ”It feels great to be on this level and running with my boys from Hawaiʻi.”

Underclassmen prepare for upcoming season

Several other local players are prepared to assist Cal as the team heads into the 2026 season, including safety Aiden Manutai and tight end Taimane Purcell, who graduated high school early to join the team in the spring.

Manutai, a Kahuku High alum, recorded 44 tackles, one fumble recovery, and an interception in 11 games as a freshman while managing injuries.

“Man, it’s college, you know? The playbook’s gonna be crazy. You’re gonna be going against guys way better than you,” Manutai said. ”When I stepped on the field, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was. So just the confidence being boosted, this year is super exciting.”

Purcell played at Kamehameha Schools before transitioning to collegiate football.

“Having that spring under my belt, it definitely helped for sure, and especially in pushing for some playing time,” Purcell said. “I think being here during the spring, it was just a huge, huge advantage for me, and I definitely benefited from it.”

The players remain bonded by their Hawaiʻi roots, sharing a connection that extends beyond football.

When asked who is responsible for making rice during team barbecues, Manutai laughed and said, “I think it would be me.”