When University of Hawai‘i football fans join the “Braddahood” and cheer on the Rainbow Warriors at the 2022 Island Day Football Spring Game Saturday at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex, Waimea High School graduate Tali Moe, now a freshman at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, will be there to support the last scrimmage of spring practice.
“It is truly an honor to be a part of the Braddahood,” Tali said after successfully walking on the Rainbow Warrior team. “This was a long time in the making, from constant training the day following my last football game of my junior season at Waimea High. There have been a few players to make it to UH and play such as one of my football mentors, Siasau Matagiese.”
Fianna Moe, Tali’s sister, is proud of Tali’s position on the Rainbow Warriors team.
“He’s on the UH football roster for 2022, and currently the only one from the Neighbor Islands to represent the Braddahood under new head coach Timmy Chang,” Fianna Moe wrote of her pride on social media. “This is the start of Tali’s story, a 6’3” 265-pound young man from the Garden Island becoming a Rainbow Warrior Football Defensive Lineman Walk On.”
Tali is the youngest of six siblings — Fianna, Fia, Fiare, Hawea, Kilohana Russell-Moe and Tali.
“We are a blended ‘ohana,” Fianna Moe said. “The six of us Moe siblings all share the same dad. We are very blessed to be loved by both moms and our dad. My mom was the lady at every Waimea game, Aunty Fredna!”
“Tali’s mom is Meagan Anuhea Russell from Wenatchee, Washington, and our dad is Fia Moe Jr., originally from Waikiki, but now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada,” Fianna Moe said. “Tali visited almost every summer since he was one year old. He made the move to Kalaheo in July 2018, where my brother Fia and I became Tali’s guardians and raised him on our uncle’s, Alvin Yadao Kalaheo farm.”
During this time leading to Tali Moe’s graduation, COVID-19 poked its head onto Kaua‘i and COVID-19 restrictions canceled football camps and Tali Moe’s senior year of football.
“He was a really good kid,” said Jason Caldeira, the then-Waimea High School football coach. “He worked hard, had good character and determination. He could be on a ride at any other college if he pushed. But he made up his mind to play for Hawai‘i.”
Fianna Moe said Tali Moe stayed committed to his training and kept his hope in his faith.
“I’ve seen all the sacrifices and hard work he has invested to be resilient during these times,” Fianna Moe said. “This is Tali’s story on his journey as a Division I football player, a Walk On from the little island of Kaua‘i.”
Tali Moe said the process of getting to walk on was difficult, and COVID was a big factor in his recruitment because of his senior year football being canceled.
“I knew I was going to walk on the day I got accepted into the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa,” Tali Moe said. “It’s been my dream to play here since I was a kid. Looking ahead to the first game (against Vanderbilt on Aug. 27 at home), I’m very eager to get out there and play with my teammates. Being a Menehune football player has taught me to be appreciative of what you have. Many know that we don’t have access to top-notch facilities at Waimea High School, but we work with what we have and don’t complain.”
Gates to Island Day Spring Football Game opens at 3:30 p.m., and the game kicks off starting at 6 p.m. at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex. The game will be followed by an autograph session with Chang and the Rainbow Warriors.
Congratulations Tali!!! Your hard work and dedication was evident back when we watched you play for the Menehunes!! And good job Fiana and the rest of the Moe family for helping to shape Tali into the young man that he has become!!! Excited to watch his journey!!