Rainbow Connection: Blane Gaison

It’s been 40 years since Blane Gaison played his senior season for the University of Hawai‘i football team. The Kalihi native lined up at both quarterback and free safety for the Rainbow Warriors, who were just beginning their venture in to Division I football. He earned All-American honors during that final season in 1980, was named Hula Bowl MVP and was also presented the Stan Bates Award as the Western Athletic Conference’s top scholar-athlete. A five-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons followed. Mention the name Blane Gaison in local circles and eyes light up. Simply put, Gaison is one of the most dynamic and beloved players in Hawai‘i football lore. 

Though Gaison hung up his football cleats in 1985, his association with sports didn’t end there. For the last 30-plus years he’s devoted himself to Hawai‘i high school athletics. He was the head football coach and athletic director at his alma mater Kamehameha Schools, before taking on his current role of executive director of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu in 2015. Four decades after suiting up for the Rainbow Warriors, Gaison – who was inducted into the UH Circle of Honor in 1999 –  reflects on his time in Manoa and life since.

Your first arrived in Manoa in 1976 after a decorated high school career at Kamehameha. What led to your decision to attend UH and play for the Rainbow Warriors?

UH assistant coach Charlie Ka‘aihue was assigned to recruit the top local high school athletes at that time. His task was to get Tom Tuinei (Wai‘anae), Brad Anae (Kahuku), Scott Long (Kaiser), and myself to stay home and attend the University of Hawai‘i. Coach K was a great man and a very good coach and he basically told us that we could change the face of UH football if we chose to stay home. We were all being heavily recruited, Aloha Stadium had just been built, and Mr. Ray Nagel - who was the athletics director at the time - was working on UH’s membership into the Western Athletic Conference. I bought into all that and of course the ability to play at home in front of my family was the deciding factor.

Following your first season at UH, head coach Larry Price resigned. Dick Tomey was hired to replace him and Coach Tomey recalled vividly how you were the first person he visited upon his arrival in Hawai‘i. What do you remember about your “re-recruitment?” 

I was all set to transfer to Boise State. But I got a call from Mr. Nagel who was in L.A and he informed me he just hired UCLA assistant Dick Tomey as the new head coach. Mr. Nagel asked if I could sit down and meet with Coach Tomey — he wanted me to reconsider my decision to transfer. Out of respect for Mr. Nagel, I agreed to meet with Coach Tomey. The very next day Coach Tomey was in Hawai‘i sitting in my parent’s living room. We met for about an hour. He laid out his plan and his vision for the program. My dad was totally impressed with him and loved everything he said. Coach Tomey made no promises but did say that if you decide to stay at the University of Hawai‘i, you will not be disappointed...he was right.  

What are some of your fondest memories of playing for UH?

There were so many. Playing in front of sellout or near sellout crowds week in and week out. Playing against top-notch programs like Nebraska, USC, BYU, Utah, Arizona, Arizona State, South Carolina, Oregon State, and West Virginia, to name a few. Believe it or not, the practices, summer camps, and all the hard work we put in are still great memories to me. Coaches and players worked their butts off and sacrificed for us to be a great program. It was the key to our success.

You played both sides of the ball at quarterback and safety. What was it like to play multiple positions?

It was challenging but fun. When your head coach has that much confidence in you and your ability and tells you that he needs you to play both sides of the ball, you just do it. I wasn’t the only one that did that. Jesse Sapolu did it as well,  playing on both the offensive and defensive line. As players, we had so much confidence in Coach Tomey that whatever he asked us to do, we just did it. Looking back, it was quite a humbling experience.

With the opening of Aloha Stadium, the hiring of Dick Tomey, and joining a new conference, it was a pivotal time in UH football. What’s it like to be associated with that era?

It’s tremendous privilege.  Besides Coach Tomey, much credit needs to go to Ray Nagel. He was responsible for bringing Coach Tomey to Hawai‘i. He was also responsible for elevating UH to a Division I program and into the Western Athletic Conference. Coach Tomey laid down a firm foundation and brought a whole new culture to UH football. Our program wasn’t just about the coaches and the players. He opened up the doors and got the community involved. It was Hawai‘i’s team and they were a huge part of that success. It was a very special time and I’m proud to have been part of it.

What was it like to play for Coach Tomey and what kind of impact did he have on you?

Coach Tomey was a great coach and a great human being. He was an inspiring teacher, awesome motivator, and a great communicator. As players you wanted to give him nothing but your very best. Whether you were on scholarship, a walk-on, first team or scout team player, he genuinely cared for each and every one of his players. He made us believe in each other and it was always about the team. Other than my parents, no other person has had the impact on who I am today then Coach Tomey. I absolutely loved the guy. We all loved him.

 

June Jones played briefly at UH prior to your arrival in Manoa. However your paths crossed as teammates during your rookie season with the Falcons. What was that like?

Not many people remember that June was a quarterback at UH under Larry Price before transferring to Portland State. I was very fortunate to have him as a teammate in Atlanta. When I got to Atlanta, June and his family welcomed me with ALOHA and treated me like one of their own. June always had a great football mind. Fellow players and even coaches would always seek out his advice. It’s no surprise that he’s had so much success as a professional and college coach. June was my ‘ohana in Atlanta and I absolutely love the guy. 

After your NFL career, you eventually returned to Kamehameha. What led you back to your alma mater?

It wasn’t my intention to return to Kamehameha. I had plans to go to law school, took the LSAT and was waiting for my results. But in the meantime I was working at Matson Navigation in their sales and promotions department. At one of our business functions, I ran into Dr. Michael Chun, who at the time was the President of Kamehameha Schools. Long story short, we had a conversation and I was offered an opportunity to come back to Kamehameha Schools as an athletic director and head football coach. I had a minor in a secondary education from UH so I found his offer quite interesting. I thought it would be a great opportunity for me to give back to an institution that had given me so much.    

You took on your current role of ILH executive director in 2015. What’s it’s been like dealing with COVID and what are your feelings about the recent decision to postpone high school fall sports, including football.  

In the ILH, our mission is to provide participatory opportunities for our member schools and their student athletes. Unfortunately with COVID, it’s been difficult and very disappointing that we’re unable to provide that to our young students right now. But as disappointing as it is, we’ll never jeopardize the overall safety and well-being of our students. Safety is our number one priority. We’re hopeful though that we’ll be able to open up and offer some athletic programs to our young students sometime this school year.  

What are you most proud of in your years as a high school athletics coach and administrator? 

It may sound corny but knowing that somehow I’ve made a positive difference in the lives of others is what I’m most proud of. I can't stop talking about the influence Coach Tomey has had on me and that’s just what I hope I’ve been able to be for others.

Tell us about your family life. How long have you been married? 

I’ve been blessed to have married my high school sweetheart Donnalei Biondine Gaison. We’ve been married for 39 years and have four children and two grandchildren. 

You and your wife seem to have passed down some impressive genes. Can you tell us more about the next generation of Gaisons?

All of our children went to Kamehameha and all are college graduates. Our eldest and only daughter Pilialoha was Miss Hawai‘i 2006 and a finalist in the 2007 Miss America Pageant. She is married to Kala‘i Miller and they have two children, Zelie and Lyon. Kapulani is our oldest son and is best known for his accomplishments on America’s Ninja Warrior. He’s the founder of Makahiki Challenge, an outdoor obstacle event held annually at the Kualoa Ranch. Our second son, Iokepa, went to the University of Utah and was a starting outside linebacker for the Utes. He’s a business entrepreneur and the owner of Kepa Fit and Nutrition. Our youngest, Wakinekona, who goes by Kona, was the ILH Player of the Year in soccer at Kamehameha and attended Hawaii Pacific University on a soccer scholarship. He joined the United States Air Force after college and he and his wife Oryanna are currently stationed in Okinawa.

How have you and your family handled today’s world of COVID?

One of the things I’ve learned through my many years in athletics is to always keep a positive attitude. So in this unprecedented time with COVID my family and I have made the choice to stay positive and be grateful despite what we see and hear. This  situation has given us the time to re-prioritize what’s important to us. We appreciate the little things we have and do and we value the simple things in the life we live. We wake up being blessed and at the end of the day, we’re very grateful.   

Prior to graduating from UH you received the Stan Bates Award, given to the top scholar-athlete in the entire Western Athletic Conference. Why was academics so important you?

That was a priority for my mom and dad. It was always education first, athletics or anything else came second. My dad was a Navy veteran so the discipline of keeping your priorities in order and in tack was important. It was his goal to make sure we had all the opportunity in the world to succeed and for him, it was getting a good education.

What advice would you give to today’s student-athletes on how to succeed on and off the field in the high-pressure environment of college athletics?  

I’d give them the same advice I got from my dad and Coach Tomey. From my dad: choose wisely, keep your priorities intact, and don't be afraid of hard work. From Coach Tomey: the will to win (to be successful) is important but the will to prepare to win (to be successful) is what separates those who wish and dream from those who actually make it happen.”

Gasion with former UH teammate and All-American Jesse Sapolu; with fellow UH alum and current Navy head coach Ken Niumatalolo; at an event for Hawaii's NFL greats.

How much have you followed UH football since graduating from the program and what do you think of the current state of the program?

I have my parent’s season tickets from way back in the 70s so I’m a season-ticket holder and have always been a strong supporter and proud alumni of UH. UH football is Hawai‘i’s team and that’s how it should always be. Our new coach Todd Graham is very seasoned and experienced. It’s my hope that our community extends their Aloha and fills the stadium as he takes on this new journey with UH football. 

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