There is no sentence that explains the United States more clearly than saying the country is obsessed with sports. The overall scale of the industry is so massive that it's embarrassing to even name a competitor; if you look at the amateur level rather than the professional, the rest of the world combined wouldn't even come close.
Because of this, there are more teenage sports stars in the U.S. than anywhere else. For the past two years, the football team at Kahuku High School in Hawaii has put a significant amount of effort into recruiting one particular boy.
However, the situation wasn't looking as good as they had hoped.
"Mater Dei is doing what?"
# January 3, 2016
#-1. Oahu, Hawaii
#-2. Honolulu, Kahuku CDP
#-3. Kahuku High School
Five years ago, an interview with a certain boy at the 44th USATF Junior Olympic Track & Field Championships changed the future of high school football teams across the country.
Dwayne Moi Stone.
Despite having zero competitive football experience at the time, that is the name of the boy who has held the #1 spot in the national high school recruiting rankings for the past three years.
For the last five years, high school football coaches from all over the country have flooded Maui. Some schools even went as far as organizing "field trips" to the island—just like Mater Dei was doing now.
"Dammit. Didn't they already come last year?" "October, to be precise."
"For God's sake! And they're coming back again?"
"Yes. In April."
"Blast it. Is Haggerty in his office?"
"I believe so."
"I need to see him immediately."
Gavin Travis, the head coach of Hawaii's premier high school football team, hurried out of his office. He headed straight for the principal's office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in!"
John Haggerty, the principal of Kahuku High, took off his glasses as Gavin entered.
"Oh, Gavin. What's the matter?"
"Mater Dei is coming on another 'field trip.'" "What?"
"That bastard Logan is trying to snatch Dwayne Moi Stone away! At this rate, we're going to lose our local boy to the mainland!"
Hearing Gavin's fury, John Haggerty's expression shifted instantly. He picked up the phone, had a brief, serious conversation, and then hung up. He grabbed his hat from the rack and motioned for Gavin to follow.
They headed for the school's heliport.
"We're flying out right now."
Sensing the urgency, the principal and the coach boarded the helicopter. Over the roar of the rotors, Haggerty shouted at the top of his lungs:
"Moi isn't just a 'local boy'!"
"You're damn right!"
"I won't let those mainland vultures take him!"
A short while later, the Kahuku High helicopter touched down in Paia, Maui.
"I'll be back in 30 minutes!" the pilot shouted, giving a thumbs-up. Haggerty and Travis jumped into a waiting vehicle.
"Mater Dei is serious," Haggerty muttered.
"Is there a school that isn't? There are 150 of them, Gavin. 150."
"And those are just the ones we know about."
Dwayne Moi Stone was being hailed as a generational talent who could rewrite the history of high school football. The proof was in the numbers: 178 football teams—some said over 200—wanted him. And that was just for football.
"He just clocked a 99-mph pitch the other day," Travis added.
"In baseball?"
"Yeah."
Dwayne was a baseball prodigy as well. It had become legendary how scouts from 19 Major League teams showed up to watch a 13-year-old play. Furthermore, he held the national records for the 100m, 200m, 400m, high jump, and long jump for his age group. He even broke age-group records in the 50m, 100m, and 1,500m freestyle swimming. Even basketball teams wanted him, despite him never having played a game.
The car screeched to a halt in front of a restaurant.
"We'll be right back," Haggerty told the driver.
The two men stepped toward the entrance with grim determination. As the bell chimed, all eyes in the restaurant turned toward them. A woman behind the counter—Jessica Stone—greeted them with a smile.
"Oh my goodness! What brings you two here?"
"What else? We came for a meal."
"All the way from Oahu to Maui?"
"It's worth the trip."
It takes about an hour and twenty minutes by helicopter from Oahu to Maui. Knowing it wasn't just for lunch, Jessica led them to a secluded corner table. The men didn't waste time.
"What did Mater Dei offer?"
"Nothing much."
"Then it should be easy for you to tell us." "Hoho. You two are always so persistent. Fine, I'll tell you."
The reason Mater Dei High School visited Hawaii twice a year wasn't for the scenery. It was to legally maintain contact with the boy. And they added a "gesture of sincerity."
"They asked me to cater for their students." "How many?"
"260."
"...."
By commissioning meals for the trip, they were providing Jessica Stone with a massive financial windfall. A local school couldn't match the sheer numbers of a mainland giant. Haggerty had to think fast.
"Mel," Haggerty said suddenly.
"?"
"She wanted to be a teacher, right?"
"And?"
"We'll guarantee her a position. For 10 years. No, 20 years!"
"...."
Kahuku High couldn't offer cash, but they could guarantee a career for Melissia Stone—and she hated the idea of leaving Hawaii. That was something a mainland school couldn't offer.
"We'll even provide housing if she wants." "That won't be necessary," Jessica smiled. "Her in-laws live on Oahu."
Jessica nodded with an unreadable expression and headed to the kitchen. Once she was gone, the two men finally exhaled.
"What do you think?"
"It's the best we can do. We have to count on his loyalty to Hawaii."
States like California, Florida, Texas, Ohio, and Georgia could offer much "better" conditions. While such incentives technically violated the regulations of the National Federation of State High School Associations, those rules had been ignored for decades when it came to top-tier talent.
The door opened again. A boy entered. Though, "boy" was hardly the word for his stature. John Haggerty couldn't help but wave.
"Moi!"
"?"
The boy waved back with a radiant smile and walked over.
"I'm seeing you two quite often lately."
"Haha. We just came for lunch."
"From Oahu? You're funny."
"Moi... you look like you've grown again."
"Ah, yeah. About 2 cm."
"What are the stats now?"
"185 cm, 91 kg (6'1", 200 lbs)."
"91 kg?"
"Yes. I've been hitting the weights diligently."
He had just turned 14.
"How's the body feeling?"
"Great. I even set a new surfing record a few days ago."
"You're going into the ocean in this weather?" "I'm an islander, Coach. This is nothing."
Haggerty felt a wave of relief at the phrase "islander." After a brief chat, Dwayne headed toward the back.
"Looking at him makes me want to invest my entire life savings," Travis whispered.
"I feel the same. That kid is going to be the best."
Shortly after, the men finished their meal and stepped outside. Just as they were about to call their car, they spotted Dwayne on the beach across the road. He was throwing an NFL league ball. The ball soared into the sky, traveling an impossible distance.
"...For God's sake, John. Have you ever seen anything like that?"
"Never, Gavin. Never."
The ball landed roughly...
"How far was that?"
"80 yards?"
"Holy...."
# February 5, 2016
#-1. Paia, Maui
#-2. Restaurant Aloha
"Pardon?"
Today, some strangers visited the restaurant. They weren't tourists.
"You want to do a 'Decision Show'?"
"Are you serious?"
"Yes! Absolutely!"
The man, who introduced himself as being from Fox Sports, suggested hosting a "Decision Show" here next week. Like LeBron James did when he announced his free agency.
Are they insane?
"Well, even Usain Bolt is talking about you," the man said.
"What does that have to do with this?"
"It means you're a headline."
I looked around, exasperated. This guy clearly couldn't read the room. He seemed like the type of person who is only interested in his own opinion.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll pass."
"Come on, don't be like that."
"I'm serious. I'm only 15."
"LeBron was getting national attention at 17. You can do it even earlier! 'The Decision!' What do you say?"
I understood why he was doing this. Last year, after winning three gold medals at the Beijing World Championships, Usain Bolt had mentioned me in an official interview. An American reporter asked if he knew me, and Bolt lit up, saying I should definitely stick with track.
Because of that, I'd been hounded for months. USATF followed me around for over 90 days, and news crews camped outside our house until my dad had to take time off work to chase them away. I didn't want to go through that again.
But Fox Sports was persistent. Finally...
"Get out of here!"
"Excuse me?"
"We're customers trying to eat! You're clogging up the kitchen! Either come back after hours or get lost!"
The regular customers, who were already annoyed by the Fox Sports crew, chased them out of the restaurant. It's part of our culture—we protect our own. We're islanders, and we're family.
"Today, the food is on the house!" my mother shouted.
"Whoooo!"
"You're the best, Boss!"
"Moi? You're going to help serve, right?"
"Of course, Mom!"
It's no secret: I have no intention of leaving Hawaii, at least not until college. My high school choice is already made. However, I don't want to make it too easy for them. The more desperate they are, the more they will value me. You could call it calculating, but in my head, I'm 55 years old. (Even if I feel 15).
"Here you go. Do you need a beer too?" I asked a regular.
"Of course!"
"You know the beer isn't free, right?"
"Moi! Seriously?"
"I have to be clear. Mom said the food is free." "Alcohol is food to us!"
"I'm a minor, so I wouldn't know. Hand over the cash."
"You little...!"
A life full of talent and physicality I never knew before. And the love of a family. I am enjoying every second of it.