Latest news with #Hawai'i-born
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Hawaii artist teams up with LA Rams for Maui Training Camp
When the Los Angeles Rams open their 2025 training camp on Maui later this month, the NFL franchise will showcase a fresh island-inspired identity, thanks to the creative vision of Hawai'i-born artist Aaron Kai. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools Hawai'i and a native of Hilo, Kai has been commissioned by the Rams to create exclusive artwork for the team's upcoming camp at War Memorial Stadium, which begins June 16. Now a Los Angeles resident, Kai described the collaboration as a full-circle moment, blending his Island upbringing with his current home on the mainland. 'It means a lot, man. Having the LA Rams reach out to me, especially living out here in Los Angeles now and being a local boy from Hilo. It's kind of nice to make that connection and bring the art together,' Kai said. 'I think it's great that they're tapped in with native Hawaiian artists to bring authenticity to it.' Kai's original artwork celebrates Maui's rich culture and landscape while also providing the Rams with limited-edition merchandise and on-site branding that will be featured throughout training camp. His custom logo design will even be painted directly on the team's practice field, a moment he called a 'pinch-me' experience. 'We're actually lucky enough to be painting this logo that I designed for the Rams, a little Hawai'i twist on it,' Kai said. 'Being able to do what I love, representing Hawai'i, and doing it on a scale like this for a team like the LA Rams, it's really incredible.' For Kai, the project is about more than branding. It's about inspiring youth and spotlighting creative pathways beyond the playing field. 'I hope the kids in Maui get inspired,' he said. 'Not everyone gets to make it to the league professionally. There are a lot of other great avenues where you can stay in the game and use your creativity.' Fans will have the chance to meet Kai and purchase his exclusive Rams merchandise at a special pop-up shop in Wailea Village from June 14 through June 18. The shop will be open daily from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. leading up to the start of training camp. For more information on the upcoming Rams Training Camp on Maui, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Waimanalo's McMillan poised for first round of NFL Draft
Tetairoa McMillan is on the doorstep of joining elite NFL company. The Waimanalo native and former Arizona wide receiver is projected to be a top-10 pick in Thursday's first round of the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay, Wisconsin. If selected, McMillan would become just the sixth player born in Hawai'i to be taken in the opening round. The 6-foot-5 junior accepted an invitation to attend the draft and is widely regarded as one of the premier wide receiver prospects in the class. 'I'm just a super competitive person,' McMillan said. 'I'm ready to play the best in the world. This is the highest level you can possibly play in this game, and I'm excited for the opportunity.' A product of Southern California's Servite High School, McMillan began his football journey in Hawai'i before breaking out in the Golden State. He led all FBS freshmen in 2022 with 702 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. After a strong sophomore campaign, he entered his junior season as a preseason Associated Press All-American and delivered a dominant year — finishing with 84 receptions for 1,319 yards, both top-five marks nationally, en route to first-team All-Big 12 honors. McMillan leaves Arizona as the program's all-time leader in receiving yards with 3,423. Pro Football Focus projects McMillan to be drafted by the New York Jets at No. 7 overall, while ESPN analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has the Las Vegas Raiders selecting him at No. 6. As for where he ends up, McMillan says he's prepared to thrive in any environment. 'I feel like I can be placed in any locker room, any place in the world, and adjust,' he said. 'Whether it's hot or cold, it doesn't matter. I just want to win and be great.' McMillan would join an elite group of Hawai'i-born first-round NFL Draft picks: • Chris Naeole (Kahuku) – No. 10 overall, 1997 (New Orleans Saints) • Tyson Alualu (Saint Louis) – No. 10 overall, 2010 (Jacksonville Jaguars) • DeForest Buckner (Punahou) – No. 7 overall, 2016 (San Francisco 49ers) • Tua Tagovailoa (Saint Louis) – No. 5 overall, 2020 (Miami Dolphins) • Marcus Mariota (Saint Louis) – No. 2 overall, 2015 (Tennessee Titans) It should be noted that Radford graduate and former University of Hawaii wide receiver Ashley Lelie was selected 19th overall by the Broncos in 2002, however, Lelie was born in Bellflower, California. The first round of the NFL Draft begins Thursday, followed by rounds two and three on Friday. The final four rounds will be held Saturday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hawaii's Dizon & Naeole find success as scouts with Eagles
The countdown to Super Bowl LIX is in full swing as the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles prepare to clash on Sunday in New Orleans. While there are no Hawai'i-born players on either roster, the Aloha State is still well-represented—off the field. The NFC Champion Eagles boast two Hawai'i football legends within their scouting department. Waimea's Jordon Dizon serves as the team's national scout, while Chris Naeole, a Kahuku native and former University of Hawai'i assistant coach, holds the role of international scout. Both were All-Americans at the University of Colorado and enjoyed NFL careers before trading in shoulder pads for note pads. For Dizon, this will be his second Super Bowl appearance as part of a scouting staff, having earned a ring eight years ago with the Denver Broncos. 'It's the ultimate team sport,' Dizon said. 'What's really cool is we're all rowing in the same boat. It's special to celebrate with friends, coworkers, and teammates. That's the best part—this is a collective effort. We all work hard for moments like this, and sharing them makes it even more meaningful.' Adding to the emotional significance for Dizon is the journey he and Naeole have shared—both hailing from public schools in Hawai'i, moving on to standout careers at Colorado, then into the NFL, and now contributing to the Eagles' front office success. 'It's unbelievable,' Dizon said of working alongside Naeole. 'This is actually Chris's second Super Bowl with us. Sharing this moment with another local guy makes it extra special. Coming from such a small place and doing this together means a lot. Chris is such a great guy who works incredibly hard, and we're lucky to have him.' The Eagles and Chiefs will square off in Super Bowl 59 on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. HST. The game will be televised live on KHON2, with coverage starting bright and early with Wake Up 2Day at 5 a.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
