# March 1, 2016
#-1. Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
I am currently at my grandmother's house—which is also my grandfather's house. My father, who works at a bank in Honolulu, stays here during the week and flies back to Maui by light aircraft on weekends.
I've visited this place often since I was a child. My grandparents are wonderful people.
"Today is Korea's Independence Declaration Day," Grandmother said.
"The day in 1919 when our proud ancestors declared independence in resistance to Japanese rule, right?"
"Exactly."
Grandmother was born into a wealthy family in Korea. That was how she was able to travel to Hawaii in the first place. One rainy day, Grandfather saw her running with a bag over her head because she didn't have an umbrella, and he fell in love at first sight.
At first, Grandmother was afraid of Grandfather—a rugged-looking Samoan—but she opened her heart when she saw him picking flowers for her every day and trying his best to offer a gentle smile. Of course, this led to massive opposition from her family, eventually resulting in her being disowned. But their love never cooled, and a few months later, they held a modest wedding on Oahu.
From their union, my father was born. And then my uncle and aunt.
"So, Moi. What brings you here? What about school?"
Before Grandmother could continue explaining the significance of the March 1st Movement, I shared a small secret with her.
"I skipped a grade?"
"Yes. Actually, it happened a little while ago." "Oh, my goodness. Why are you only telling us now?"
Why? Because I was afraid you'd tell me to move here immediately.
Aside from loving the time I spend with my grandmother, I had things to do in Maui. I had to help with Mom's restaurant, and I had promises to keep with Aunt Mel. Above all, I had to continue my training.
"First, eat. You're hungry, aren't you?"
"Uh... actually, I'm not that hung—"
She was already gone. The clattering of dishes echoed from the kitchen, and a delicious aroma quickly filled the air. Resisting it was impossible. Every time I stayed a night at Grandmother's, I gained a kilogram. I was going to eat until I burst today, too.
"So, Moi," Grandfather said, having waited patiently while I spoke with Grandmother. "Have you decided on a high school?"
"Yes."
I told him I would likely be attending a school in Honolulu. He said Grandmother would be very happy.
"Uh... but, about that."
"?"
It's a one-hour drive from here to the school. While that's a normal commute in Hawaii, I was about to start football in earnest. I didn't want to waste two hours every day commuting.
"I'm planning to stay in the dorms."
"Your grandmother will be sad."
"Sigh... you'll help me, right?"
"Ho! Are you trying to tie my hands and feet?" "A little bit of both."
Grandfather shook his head at my grin, stood up, and headed toward the kitchen. As he's aged, he's become slimmer than before, but he still feels much larger than me. My father and uncles didn't grow up well-behaved for no reason.
A moment later, Grandmother returned.
"Why stay in a dormitory when you have a home here?"
"I want to train more."
"What about food?" "I heard the cafeteria isn't bad. Mom and Dad promised me an allowance, and I have money I've saved since I was little."
"You saved money? You?"
"Yes."
I've been helping Mom since I was four. The tips I've collected alone exceed $20,000. I originally tried to give half to Mom, but she adamantly refused and told me to buy things I needed.
"Oh, my goodness. Moi."
Grandmother seemed shocked by the hanbok I shyly showed her. she stood up and gave me a tight squeeze. She said if I had gone that far, she had nothing left to say. I could stay in the dorms.
"In exchange, come visit once a week."
"Yes. I promise."
As expected, I ate lunch until I was on the verge of exploding. I went out to the yard with Grandfather to get some air. Grandfather's hobby is gardening; he is a delicate soul who loves nature. Once, when I was little, I saw him get angry at a tourist who was damaging the island's environment. That person literally wet their pants on the spot. That is 100% the truth, no exaggeration. Seeing that, I vowed to always listen to my grandfather. So far, I've kept that vow.
"No kids are teasing you lately, are they?"
"Aw, who would tease me?"
"Haha. Right. Anyway, Moi? No matter what anyone says, you are a proud Samoan. A great descendant of the Huamatu line."
"...Yes. I remember well."
In truth, Grandfather was also disowned by his family. It was because he chose Grandmother over his arranged fiancée. His original name was Hawea Joseph Huamatu, but after being disowned, he changed it to his current name, removing his Samoan identity.
However, all the men in the family unofficially use the surname Huamatu. We follow all the family traditions and feel great pride in being Huamatu. Yet, I have never been to Kauai, where the rest of the clan resides, even though I live in Hawaii.
"I remember when you were little. You fought every single day."
"It was to protect my name."
Back then, the mean kids in the neighborhood often teased me, calling me a "Fake Samoan." Every time they did, we'd scrap and roll around on the ground. Over time, nobody dared say it anymore. Still, some adults look at me with disapproval—a Samoan mixed with Korean and English blood.
Well, it didn't make me particularly sad. I'm used to being an outsider. In fact, I'm satisfied with the life I have now. My previous life was so terrible it doesn't even compare. I'm living in paradise now. This personality of mine is probably why people see me so positively.
"Dad."
"Moi. You're here?"
"Yes. I'll hang up your bag."
"Thank you."
In the afternoon, I spent time with my father after he finished work. After dinner, we each claimed a hammock on the terrace.
"Are you prepared?"
"Of course."
"No, Moi. I mean mentally prepared."
"Ah. Yes. I'm ready for that, too."
"Good. That's enough then."
Youth football leagues only came to Hawaii about five years ago. Despite that, in just two years, the islands produced two schools in the national High School Top 50. Kahuku, where I'm heading, has been ranked in the Top 20 since last year.
Below-average quarterbacks. Poor tactical understanding. The only reason they could compete at such a high level was that over half the students on the team were Samoan. We are physically exceptional. We learn anything involving the body quickly, and we improve fast. Every Samoan currently playing in the NFL didn't play football until they attended college on the mainland.
"Dad."
"...."
"They're at Kahuku, aren't they?"
"...."
I took my father's silence as a "yes." They were at Kahuku. My blood. My distant relatives. The Huamatu.
"Moi? Don't lose to them."
"I won't. And Grandfather might hate me saying this, but..."
"?"
"I'm also a proud Stone."
My father smiled warmly and patted my shoulder. We lay in our hammocks, gazing at the night sky. The stars were scattered like jewels. I really loved the Hawaiian sky.
# March 2, 2016
#-1. Kahuku High School, Oahu
"23!! 64!!"
"...."
"HUT!!"
As the booming voice rang out, a dozen helmets and pads collided. The veins in the warriors' arms bulged. One side failed to hold the line, and a highway opened up straight to the "control tower"—the quarterback. A massive force slammed into him.
CRASH!!
"Hey!!!"
Sack.
When the quarterback was tackled before he could throw the pass, Gavin Travis, the head coach of the Kahuku football team, pulled off his headset in frustration. Meanwhile, the coach proceeded with a substitution. The units switched from offense to defense.
"Jordan! Jordan!!"
"...."
"What the hell? You had an opening!!"
The boy wearing number 12 who pulled off his helmet was JordanMarterangi. A senior from Kauai, he was the team's starting quarterback this season.
"The distance was too far."
"Too far? Jordan!"
"...."
"Do you see the people in the stands? If you want to show them you're good enough for a mainland college, you have to be able to drop a long ball in moments like that!"
"...."
Jordan looked at the stands. College scouts were sitting there.
"Being a quarterback is a blessing, Jordan. The whole team looks only to you. So, don't miss the next opportunity."
"Yes, sir."
"Good. Go take a rest."
In football, each team can have up to 11 players on the field. Twelve is a penalty. While 21 of those players are enduring agonizing pain and slamming their bodies together, the only one who can hold the ball and survey the entire field is the quarterback. It is the most glamorous position in all of sports—the crown jewel.
For God's sake. He's so timid...
Gavin Travis scratched his head, disappointed by Jordan's dejection, and looked at the scoreboard. 4th quarter. 2 minutes and 46 seconds left. The score was 17-21. Plenty of time to turn it around.
Besides, Kahuku's defensive line was ranked top five in the nation. Three brothers from the Huamatu family occupied key defensive positions. Even now, the eldest, Sioele, made a brilliant interception.
Possession switched again. Gavin called Jordan over.
"Got it? Be aggressive."
"Sigh... yes, sir."
"Use the RPO (Run-Pass Option) to tear them apart. Keep the front in a bunch formation and look for Royce. Understand?"
"Yes, sir!"
"Good. Let's go, let's go!!"
The players swapped again. With 1:38 left, Kahuku attempted their first drive. While the crowd cheered for a comeback, the play began—but Jordan made the rookie mistake of fumbling the snap.
Players from both teams dove for the rolling ball. The umpire, wedged beneath the mountain of bodies, eventually pointed his hand to the left. At that moment, the fates of the two teams were sealed.
Turnover. Kahuku had kicked away their chance for a comeback—all because of one mistake by the quarterback.
"What the..." Gavin Travis was seething. He could barely hold back the curses.
The game ended in a 17-21 loss for Kahuku. Swallowing his disappointment, Gavin comforted the players one by one. Finally, he reached his dejected quarterback. After a moment's hesitation, he patted Jordan's shoulder.
"It's okay, Jordan. It's okay."
"...."
He said it was okay, but it really wasn't. The defensive line made of juniors was great. The senior wide receivers and running backs were solid. The offensive line was decent enough. If they just had a real quarterback, standing at the top of the national high school rankings wouldn't be a dream.
That is what a quarterback is in football. Without them, points aren't made. They make everyone else a supporting actor. It is the most influential and prominent position in all of team sports. To carry that burden, you needed something special.
"Hmm?"
Gavin Travis, having thanked the fans, headed for the locker room. That was when he spotted someone. The face was young, but the body was anything but. Gavin's face brightened instantly, the pain of the defeat vanishing. He couldn't help but shout:
"Moi!"
Dwayne Moi Stone.
The incoming freshman for next year and the talent that would lead the team to the next level. Gavin kept smiling and spoke again:
"Come to my office later!"
"Yes, sir!"
But at that moment, a group was watching this scene. They all wore expressions of extreme displeasure. They were the stars of Kahuku's defensive line—the Huamatu juniors.
"Fake Samoan."
"Who does he think he is, coming here?"
"Let's show him what's what."
"You bet."
As an obscure football player once said, Moi's settlement at Kahuku High wouldn't be easy.
"Being the quarterback in high school means being the best among the strongest and most popular boys. And that process is like going from an outcast to the boss."
But Moi would make it happen.