The University of Hawai'i football team will no longer perform the haka, and instead will create its own war calling.

The Warriors did the haka, a traditional Maori dance form, during warmups and postgames last season.

But during a recent team meeting, it was decided to retire the haka.

"We have great respect for the Maori culture," cornerback Guyton Galdeira said. "But we wanted something that represented us. We're from Hawai'i. We're Hawai'i Warriors."

Galdeira, linebacker Brad Kalilimoku and defensive tackle Keala Watson were put in charge of creating the chant and dance form. Galdeira and Kalilimoku have training in hula, and all three players studied the Hawaiian language.

Watson said several teammates made suggestions. They also consulted with several Hawaiian language instructors. While the focus will be on Hawaiian, the calling will incorporate traits from other Polynesian cultures.

"We took ideas from everybody and combined it into one," Watson said. "We tried to make something that would be unique to us."

Kalilimoku said he hopes the chant will be completed by tomorrow night.

"We want to make sure we choose the right words," Kalilimoku said.

Watson added: "We want to keep the words simple."

Linebacker Timo Paepule, who helped lead the haka during spring training, said the dance form is basically finalized. The Warriors had a mini rehearsal before yesterday's morning practice.

"It's not a haka," Galdeira said. "Haka is a Maori term. Let's say it's a war chant, a calling. It's coming from the team. We're not trying to single out a culture. It's coming from the Warriors."

Quarterback Colt Brennan said he welcomes the new calling.

"It's a new year, a new team," Brennan said. "Why not?"

Linebacker Rustin Saole said: "When people see it, they'll know this is strictly Hawai'i. This is the University of Hawai'i."

NAUAHI SAYS HE'S READY

Viliami Nauahi, a 2002 All-State safety from Kahuku High, has been cleared to join the Warriors.

Nauahi's eligibility clock did not start until last year, when he enrolled at Fresno City College. He recently earned an associate degree at Kapi'olani Community College.

He said he already underwent the NCAA-mandated medical examinations. He must attend an orientation tomorrow before being cleared to practice.

It is not known if Nauahi will receive a scholarship this fall.

"It doesn't matter to me," Nauahi said. "I could care less about the scholarship now. I'm just happy to have this opportunity."

PAPERWORK COMPLETE

How fast is running back Leon Wright-Jackson?

At 8:45 a.m., he was told to stop practicing while UH officials awaited transcripts from a junior college. Less than four hours later, Wright-Jackson was cleared to practice. He participated in the afternoon workout.

"My (junior) college said they sent something, but it didn't happen," Wright-Jackson said of the initial problem. "So they re-sent it, and now everything is good. I wasn't nervous."

But left wideout Joe Avery, a 2007 graduate of Banning High in California, was not as fortunate. He is awaiting paperwork from Banning officials.

Avery said he expects to resume practicing on Monday.

THEY'RE STILL NO. 1

Defensive coordinator Greg McMackin confirmed what has been apparent: Gerard Lewis and Myron Newberry remain as the No. 1 cornerbacks.

"They're the starters at this point," McMackin said. "Everything is up for competition. We're going to play the best guys. Both of those guys in the spring and fall camp — Gerard and Myron — kept getting better and better. They won 11 games with them last year. They're good players. They haven't done anything to hurt themselves."

McMackin said first-year Warriors Ryan Mouton, Jakeem Hawkins and Calvin Roberts will receive extended playing time at cornerback during today's practice.

"We need to see more of the others," McMackin said. "We've got two weeks (before the Sept. 1 opener against Northern Colorado). We have a lot of competition."

PEDERSEN COMING BACK

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