Not many are excited to talk about a trip to court. Kekaniokoa Holomalia-Gonzalez did it with a smile on his face.
Boise State’s starting center met with the media Tuesday and among other things explained how his 17-letter hyphenated last name came to be.
After going through high school as Kekaniokoa Gonzalez, he decided he wanted to honor his mom’s side of the family and his Hawaiian background by adding their name of Holomalia to his. But first, he had to figure out how.
“I had to look up what to do because I didn’t know,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said.
He ended up having to go to small claims court in California to have his name legally changed prior to arriving at Boise State in the summer of 2018.
“It’s a big part of what I represent,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “It’s a big part of my culture and I wanted to have that be part of my legacy.”
The 305-pound offensive lineman seemed to enjoy telling his story and chatting with the media Tuesday. It was a lot different than a year ago this time when he was unsure if he’d play again due to an unspecified condition/injury.
He ended up sitting out the entire season before being cleared to return in 2022. He’s been a full participant since the Broncos opened fall camp on August 3.
“It feels really good and I’m just extremely grateful to be back out there with the boys,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “Just every day I have a sense of gratitude. I’m extremely blessed to be back out there. It’s just fun playing ball.”
KHG – he said he’s fine with others using his initials because he realizes how long his name is – didn’t want to get into specifics as to why he was forced to sit out all of last season.
“It’s personal,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “It’s something I had to go through and something I needed to do for my long-term health.”
Asked if it was something that could impact him again, he said, “We have great doctors here. I went through all the full protocols and I’m not really worried about it at all. I’m just grateful to be back out here one day at a time. I’m extremely grateful and blessed to be back on the field.”
But it wasn’t always a sure thing he’d be back. As the Broncos continued to struggle to replace him at center, Holomalia Gonzalez was privately wondering if he’d ever get the chance to play football again. It was a rough combination.
“Last year was a big rollercoaster,” he said. “There were days where I definitely didn’t know what my future would look like, but that goes back to leaning on coach Avalos, coach Keane, coach Plough was a big (help), and just praying a lot. I wasn’t really sure but I’m very grateful that I’m here today.”
Maybe the worst part for KHG was watching the Broncos play poorly without him and not be able to do anything about it. Donte Harrington, Will Farrar and Jake Stetz all started at least three games for the Broncos, who had four different offensive line combinations in the first five games.
While the offensive line improved a bit as the season went on, the loss of KHG and resulting rotating door up front contributed to Boise State having its lowest scoring output in more than two decades.
The offensive line allowed 27 sacks in 12 games and the Broncos finished 109th nationally in rushing at just 120.33 yards per game.
“It was definitely really hard obviously just sitting there and watching,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “You want to be able to help your brothers, but I had to take a step back and take care of myself.”
But he’s back now, and in three short weeks of fall camp his return has already been noticeable.
“He’s one of those guys that commands respect just by his presence and demeanor and that’s really important at the center position,” offensive line coach Tim Keane said. “That’s why he’s invaluable.”
Keane wouldn’t criticize those that filled in at center last season but admitted having Holomalia-Gonzalez back there in 2022 is a big deal.
“There’s certain people born to be a center, and he’s one of those guys,” Keane said. “It’s the little things that go unnoticed. The way he commands the huddle. You can see it when we come off the sideline and we’re breaking the huddle, just the little things he communicates with Hank.
“His presence feeds into all the other guys. That’s where he has a lot of value.”
Asked about his role at center, Holomalia-Gonzalez said, “I take pride in making sure everybody knows what they are doing.”
With KHG at center and Washington State transfer Cade Beresford at right tackle, there’s real reason for optimism that the Broncos will be much better up front this fall.
And part of that starts with the camaraderie of the group.
“I’m just really grateful to those guys for welcoming me back in,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “It was really tough last year leaving them on such short notice and they’ve welcomed me in and helped me build my confidence. It’s a good group of guys.”
It’s been a long 12 months, but KHG is back on the field – and eager to make the most of it.
“I feel very healthy and I feel much more clear mentally and I’m just very blessed and excited to be out on the field,” Holomalia-Gonzalez said. “I’m just extremely grateful.”
Boise State opens the season on Sept. 3 at Oregon State.
