Although wanting to join the Rainbow Warriors out of high school, Johnson admitted it wasn’t in the cards for him, but never stopped thinking about home. Once the opportunity presented itself it was an easy decision.
“I think it's been something I had in my head for a long time,” Johnson said. “I'm happy with my decision to come back and play. I think everyone, a lot of boys, should come home and play football.”
Like Johnson, Akana felt that coming home to play football for his family and friends was the right thing to do. After spending two seasons at Utah, appearing mainly on special teams in 11 games, he felt it was time to come home.
“I feel like it was the best decision in my life,” Akana said. “My family gets to watch me practice every day and just come out and be here and support me. That's what I look forward to.”
Akana and Johnson credit the football program's success to the culture and the people that drive the team to be better.
“There's a lot more people that care about your team… a lot more hands on, and it feels like an island support plan over here,” Johnson said.
“They welcomed me in with open arms and it was just an awesome experience for me to come in, and they're just so loving and accepting of me,” Akana said.
“Da Braddahood” is not just a phrase marketed to fans, but a true symbol of family for the people who helped get the players to where they are now and a representation of the camaraderie that runs through the Rainbow Warrior football team.
Johnson credits the people who helped him get a scholarship this spring: “My family; they helped put me through school until I got a scholarship. A lot of my coaches I had as a kid,”.
“My dad, my brothers and Jackie. I mean, it was just us. We worked out every day and just kept our heads down and kept working,” Akana said.
