Polynesian Football Hall of Fame
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame honors Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches, and contributors.
Overview
Super Bowl Champions Jesse Sapolu and Ma’a Tanuvasa have personally made the Polynesian Football journey. It is this experience that inspired them to establish the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame in 2013 to honor Polynesia’s greatest players, coaches and contributors. This beautiful gallery showcases the achievements of the inductees and Polynesian football legends with plaques, photos, mementos, an interactive display and a Wall of Honor.
The permanent home of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame is located at the Polynesian Cultural Center next to the center’s new Hukilau Marketplace.
The Polynesian Cultural Center is one of Hawai’i’s largest tourist destinations, attracting over 700,000 visitors annually, which allows us to share the incredible journey and impact of Polynesian football players with the world.
Store
Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Store – This kiosk, designed for the football enthusiast, sits right next to our newly opened Polynesian Hall of Fame Museum, and contains football themed keepsakes and clothing, including kukui nut necklaces specific to the various professional football teams.
Charitable Mission
- Preserve, promote and serve as a resource for Polynesian Football history
- College scholarships designated for student-athletes of Polynesian ancestry will be awarded to the alma mater of each Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductee.
- Educational programs focusing on character and teamwork for youth within the Polynesian community.
- Support may also be provided for other initiatives positively benefiting Polynesian culture and heritage.
Polynesian Football History
The first Polynesian to play in the NFL was Offensive Lineman Al Lolotai, a Samoan, who was a member of the 1945 Washington Redskins. The first Polynesian to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame was “Squirmin” Herman Wedemeyer, a Hawaiian, in 1979. The first Polynesian to win the Heisman Trophy, was quarterback Marcus Mariota, a Samoan, in 2015. And, Inaugural Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductee Junior Seau, is the first Polynesian to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Legends such as Kevin Mawae, Kurt Gouveia, Jesse Sapolu, Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson, Troy Polomalu and Olin Kreutz have contributed to Polynesian Football lore.
The Polynesian influence and prestige in American football is at an all-time high, and rapidly expanding. Today, there are over 60 NFL players of Polynesian ancestry. Polynesian football players have become part of the American football lexicon.
The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will continue to share this storied history and recognize its greatest participants.
Learn more at polynesianfootballhof.org