The 2017 PFHOF High School Players of the Year finalists

For the first time this year, the PFHOF has announced five finalists for the inaugural 2017 Polynesian High School Football Player of the Year Award. The five 2017 finalists, selected from a watch list of 50-plus possibles, include:

QB Chevan Cordeiro (St. Louis, Honolulu); LB Palaie Gaoteote (Bishop Gorman, Las Vegas); ATH Talanoa Hufanga (Crescent Valley, Corvallis, OR); ATH Brandon Kaho (Reno High, Reno, NV); and LB Solomon Tuliaupupu (Mater Dei, Santa Ana, CA).

“The Polynesian influence in football is rapidly expanding and at an all-time high,” said Jesse Sapolu, Chairman and Co-Founder. “This award showcases the immense talent of our Polynesian student-athletes in high school football today.”

About the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa founded the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2013 to honor Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. It also serves as a resource for Polynesian football history, provides academic scholarships and supports educational programs for Polynesian youth.

In addition to Sapolu and Tanuvasa, other PFHOF board members include Troy Polamalu, Vai Sikahema, June Jones and Reno Mahe.

Sapolu also gave special thanks to Hawaiian Airlines, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii News Now, Hawaii Building & Construction Trades Council, NFL,  Weil & Associates, Tihati Productions, Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii, Kyoya Company, Motiv8 Foundation, Sheraton Princess Kaiulani, and of course the Polynesian Cultural Center.

Come visit The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame

Established in 2013 to honor Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors, this beautiful gallery showcases the achievements of the inductees and Polynesian football legends with plaques, photos, mementos, an interactive display and a Wall of Honor.

The permanent home of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center next to the Center’s Hukilau Marketplace along the beautiful north shore of the island of Oahu, Hawaii.The Hall of Fame is open to the public at no charge. To learn more, CLICK HERE

---

Story by Mike Foley, who has been a full-time freelance writer and digital media specialist since 2002. Prior to that he had a long career in marketing communications, PR, journalism and university education. Foley learned to speak fluent Samoan as a Mormon missionary before moving to Laie in 1967 — and still does. He has traveled extensively over the years throughout Polynesia, other Pacific islands and Asia. Foley is mostly retired now, but continues to contribute to PCC and various other media.

Foley recalls when he first arrived in Samoa in 1965, American “gridiron” football was just starting to draw a little attention. Noting the natural athleticism of the Samoans and their all-in style of playing rugby, however, he couldn’t help thinking, “These guys will be formidable if they ever start playing American football.”