A very prominent member of Hawaii’s defensive line has run into an off-field situation serious enough that his future with the football program is very much up in the air.
According to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Kennedy Tulimasealii was arrested Tuesday morning on multiple charges stemming from an incident at a Honolulu home earlier in the day. Tulimasealii was arrested on two counts each of domestic abuse and contempt, as well as one charge each of resisting arrest and harassment.
The details of what led to the arrest and charges, all misdemeanors, were not detailed by the Star-Advertiser, although HawaiiNewsNow.com took care of that very unique angle of the story:Sources said defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii was naked when officers arrived at the unit in response to an abuse of a family member case.
The senior lineman began fighting with officers, sources said, and officers used pepper spray to try to subdue him. Other officers joined the struggle and took Tulimasealii to the ground as he tried to pull away, police said.
A teammate, fellow defensive tackle Ka‘aumoana Gifford, was arrested on an obstruction charge in connection to the incident as well. According to the website, Gifford pushed a police officer ans was yelling at them to let go of his teammate.
“It’s a bad deal for all the good this team has done,” head coach Nick Rolovich said. “For a couple guys to make their bad decision without thinking about the future of this football team and their teammates, it’s a sad deal.”
“We are in the process of gathering all the information, while keeping in mind the rules and policies of this university and athletic department,” UH spokesperson Derek Inouchi said in a statement. According to the Star-Advertiser, Tulimasealii could potentially face expulsion from the university.
Last season as a junior, Tulimasealii led the Rainbow Warriors in tackles for loss (18.5) and sacks (3.5). The past two seasons,Tulimasealii has started 20 games.
Gifford started four games last season, and was credited with 22 tackles.