The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame announces the Class of 2016

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame (PFHoF), which partners with the Cultural Center on a permanent museum exhibit near the front entrance, announced its Class of 2016 on October 7. The new inductees are:

			Charles Teetai Ane Jr. (Hawaiian, OL, USC; NFL, DET: 1953-1959): Born in Honolulu in 1931, passed away in 2007.
			Rockne Crowningburg Freitas (Hawaiian, OL, Oregon State; NFL, DET, 1968-1978): Freitas, who prepped at Kamehameha, owns a beach house in Laie
			Troy Polamalu (Samoan, DB, USC; NFL, PIT, 2003-2014): Polamalu, who grew up in California, was drafted 16th in the first round in 2003, two-time Super Bowl champ, eight-time Pro Bowl selection.
			Vai Sikahema (Tongan, RB/KR, BYU; NFL: GB, AZ and PHI, 1986-1993): He is recognized as the first Tongan in the NFL. Sikahema lived in Laie as a child when his father worked at the PCC. He later married former PCC Hawaiian Villager Keala Heder.
			And “contributor” Albert Lolotai (Samoan, OL, Weber; NFL, WAS 1945-49); Lolotai is recognized as the first Polynesian in professional football. He was born in Laie in 1920 and after his football career, coached at both Kahuku High and Church College of Hawaii (renamed BYU–Hawaii in 1974). He died in 1990.

In addition, Laie’s own Junior Ah You, a Samoan who along with his extended family operates Tita’s Grill in the Hukilau Marketplace, was among those nominated for consideration in the Class of 2016. Ah You, a Kahuku High star, went on to graduate from Arizona State, and played 12 seasons between the CFL and USFL before returning home, where he has been active in Laie community affairs.

PCC and the PFHoF will honor the new 2016 inductees during an enshrinement ceremony in Laie on Saturday, January 30, 2016. PCC guests that day will have the opportunity to meet the players and sign autographs.

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Story by Mike Foley

Images courtesy of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

Mike Foley, who has worked off-and-on

at the Polynesian Cultural Center since

1968,  has been a full-time freelance

writer and digital media specialist since

2002, and had a long career in marketing

communications and PR before that. He

learned to speak fluent Samoan as a

Mormon missionary before moving to Laie

in 1967 — still does, and he has traveled

extensively over the years throughout

Polynesia and other Pacific islands. Foley

is mostly retired now, but continues to

contribute to various PCC and other media.