Local Boy Scores Big

Molokai’s Kapono Rawlins-Crivello to play in Hawaii Bowl

By Jennifer Smith

Molokai born and bred, Kapono Rawlins-Crivello has been making big waves on the Boise State Bronco football team. As a redshirted freshman, the defensive end will join the Broncos at the Hawaii Bowl on December 23.

“Even though he is playing for Boise he is still a Molokai boy,” said proud father Kawika Crivello.

A member of the Rawlins and Helm families of Molokai, Rawlins-Crivello spent the first 12 years of his life on the Friendly Isle. Growing up fishing, hunting, and participating in the Hawaiian Emersion program he did, “the things on Molokai that you are raised to do,” his mother Lori-Lei Rawlins-Crivello said.

Despite moving to Oahu after elementary school to attend Kamehameha School in Honolulu, Rawlins-Crivello returned home almost every weekend. “He has always kept his priorities and never forgot where he came from,” his father said.

Rawlins-Crivello began his football endeavors at age 14, when he tried out for the well-known Kamehameha Warriors. According to his father, “When he first tried out, there were over 100 kids trying out for the team…he was kind of intimidated by the Oahu kids, but he stuck it through.”  

Crivello explained how his son’s hard work paid off as he continued on to go all state, all conference, and first team all American.

An integral part of his high school’s 2005 State Championship team, Rawlins-Crivello’s coach Kanani Souza said he is a, “great kid, great family, tremendous work habits, a real team guy and a joy to be around. He is a tough guy. Played hard all the time.”

Now 19-years-old, Rawlins-Crivello is studying multi-ethnic studies at Boise State University. When he finishes school and playing football he plans to return to the University of Hawaii to take up Hawaiian Studies. He hopes to eventually earn a Masters and a PhD.

Rawlins-Crivello will be the only local boy to play in this year’s Hawaii bowl. His family is planning on traveling to Oahu in order to watch the Broncos versus East Carolina University game.

“Family has always been very important to him,” said Rawlins-Crivellos mother. She also mentioned that her son will be returning to Molokai after the game to celebrate the holidays. “He always looks forward to coming home.”

The 2007 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl will be broadcast by ESPN and is scheduled to start at 3:00 p.m. (HT) on December 23.