Hilo Kaloli High School alumni will try fashion and football at Lynn

Mohala Kaloli has always loved football and fashion, but the 2021 graduate Ke Kula ‘O Nawahiokalani’opu’u, who plays soccer at Hilo High School, never thought she would find a college to pursue the two of them until Lynn University contacted her.

In the era of new technology, athletes are posting their profiles online, and coaches are recruiting them, even during the coronavirus pandemic.

When Kaloli found Lynn, a Division II school in Boca Raton, Florida, offering both of his passions, it was an easy choice to move 4,733 miles to become a Fighting Knight.

“When I first visited the campus, I loved how the campus was. The people are very nice, and they have fashion and football,” he said. “Coach (John) Markey actually contacted me. I didn’t even know Lynn was a school. I think the online signings were more successful this year because they didn’t get to see us play. Several coaches contacted me.”

He flew to Florida in August when soccer practice started and moved into the dorms. The Fighting Knights have played two preseason games with their season opener on September 3 at Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale.

Their first game was against the Florida International in Miami, and the next was against the Florida Gulf Coast at Fort Myers. If those places sound like attractive tourist destinations, they are. However, Lynn played in the Sunshine State Conference and was selected to finish sixth in the 11-team conference. The Fighting Knights went 7-8-3 overall in 2019.

“Florida is very hot and humid. I am used to. I will often get sunburned,” said Kaloli. “I like the weather here. It’s like Hawaii. It’s not a big deal for me, as long as it doesn’t snow.

“When we visit other schools and colleges, I’m like, ‘Wow.’ It was so beautiful. I was surprised to see tennis courts lined up on campus.”

One of the biggest things he noticed was the increase in competition. Around BIIF, there are many small players. As a 5 foot 9 defender, Kaloli is usually one of the tallest players. At Lynn, he has teammates who are 6-1, 6-0, and 5-10.

Lynn is a private university and has an endowment of over $21 million, so the Fighting Knights recruit from all over the world. There are players from New Zealand, Finland, Greece, Norway, New Jersey, Missouri, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. Kaloli’s competitions for early work come in all sizes and from all over the world.

“I’m not starting, but I’m working hard, so hopefully I can start,” he said. “We have players from Finland and New Zealand. It got me going. The coach chose me. I’m here for a reason. The school is so diverse. I meet so many people every day.

“In college, there are more people and better people. The coaches scouted them to help our team win. In the game, we play on our feet all the time.”

Enrollment is a little over 2,000, so maybe after two years, Kaloli will know everyone at Lynn, which is ranked 55th as the best-scoring school.

He was an active kid, started soccer at the age of 9, played volleyball in the fourth grade, but eventually chose soccer. He also does hula and hip hop. He later played club ball for Na Hoa O Puna, Chicas, Kona Crush, Lanikila, and Hawaii Surf.

Kaloli was Miss Orchid Isle Teen in 2020. The experience helped her more than she ever imagined.

“I have to learn to speak. Our Big Island girl always speaks pidgin. Not suitable for interviews,” he said. “I had to speak without fidgeting or stuttering, walking on stage alone in front of the jury. I have to feel confident about my appearance.”

It is related to his passion for fashion, thanks to his brothers.

“I grew up with so many sisters that I wanted to change their clothes and accessories,” said Kaloli. “In science class, I drew, and I had no idea I would be good at sketching. One of my first clothing sketches was in science class. I grew up learning all the different designers when I had to model their stuff. ”

He likes Manaola and Kamohoalii. But her favorite is the bikini outfit from www.leimakani.com. That’s because it was designed by his sister Kali’a Wasson.

Kaloli’s fashion icon is Kendall Jenner, who reinvents Boho chic, a fashion drawing style with various bohemian and hippie influences.

“I like his sense of style,” said Kaloli. “He’s more my style. She’ll wear a crop top, mom or ripped jeans, latex pants, or boots.”

This semester, Kaloli took a fashion retail management class, where she studied textiles and worked on company research papers. Basically, he studied the ins and outs of the fashion business. Next semester, he will take accounting class.

He even spent time teaching his Fighting Knight teammates the Hawaiian language. He recently taught them aloha kakahiaka or good morning.

Kaloli has found the perfect match in Lynn. There’s even good food nearby.

“The food at this cafe is really good. They cook the food right in front of us,” he said. “My sister lives 30 minutes from school.”

So whenever Kaloli wanted to visit one of Boca Raton’s sunny beaches, she could model her sister’s Lei Makani swimsuit.