Sophomore Aiu staying sharp

Going back to school amid a pandemic has been a mixed bag of emotions for sophomore Poʻokela Aiu, as it has been for many others in his shoes.

“It’s been pretty good being able to see all of my boys and my classmates. It was also nice to be able to interact with human beings that are not my parents and family,” Aiu said.

Aiu said his social skills had gotten rusty and were in need of some oiling.

Being able to hang out with his friends helped with that, but still it wasn’t quite the same.

“I personally don’t like these new rules at all, but you know what? If it keeps us safe, and the kumu safe and especially our families safe, then we gotta do what we gotta do,” he said.

Aiu, who last year was a freshman standout at wide receiver on the varsity football team said he was sad to hear about sports being delayed until the end of the school year. Aiu also plays varsity basketball.

“I am sorry to the seniors this year, and if I could do anything to make things go back to normal, I would,” he said, “but sorry, I don’t have any super powers, so it is what it is.”

Like the many other student-athletes who will potentially miss playing team sports this year, Aiu has accepted the situation and said they “just gotta keep training and stay ready because this is a time of change.”

He has been doing his best to keep in shape, with many of his workouts consisting of push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. Since the school’s weight room is closed, he is also lucky enough to travel to his friend’s house to work out with weights.

“I’m trying to do whatever I can to stay in shape, so when the season comes, it’s like nothing,” Aiu said.

To take the next step in his athletic development, he has been working on getting faster and more agile. He has also worked on his catching and route-running, so he can get open more often.

“I have been putting in the work, so hopefully, we see the results,” he said.

Even though it is exciting to go back to school, it feels empty.

“I miss my upperclassmen friends, I miss my freshman friends, I just miss everyone and everything normal pre-COVID,” Aiu said.

He said that despite the current state of being a student in 2020, that neither students nor athletes should let up.

“There is always someone out in the world working harder than you, so get motivated and follow the lāhui kapu. I love everyone and hope to see all of us back in school.”