Her Campus (HC): What is your full name?
Pono Keni (PK): Sione Loti Ka’imipono Keni IV
HC: What does your name mean?
PK: In literal translation it means: John the prophet and seeker of righteousness and my last name means king. The IV is tricky cause my dad is the junior, so, there really isn’t a third. I might name my kid the third to really screw people up!
HC: So, you’re from Hawaii- what is your favorite part of your hometown? Food, people, beaches, you name it!
PK: I’m from Kailua, Oahu. I love food in general. Put a plate in front of me and I will eat it. But, if I had to name a favorite food, it would be kalua pig (pulled pork in continental US.) I love Sandy’s beach. I go there everyday to surf, drink, bbq- you name it, and we can do it there.
HC: Rumor has it you have perfected your cannonball technique so well that you can make a pool overflow, is that true?
PK: Lol yes it is. Back home its called the “coffin” or “bomb” and if you think mine are big, wait till you come home with me, I feel self conscious when I jump off a rock haha.
HC: Do you have any other secret talents we need to know about?
PK: Well, I play volleyball, wrestle, am an avid dancer, can play 9 different instruments, and I can do a 30 second keg stand, on a bad day (:
HC: You are on the football team, what position are you and how long have you been playing for?
PK: I am the left tackle, number 66, or look for the long hair. I am a 3 year starter and have been playing football since freshman year of high school.
HC: You really are a celebrity here on campus. Most people know or have heard of the infamous “Pono”- how have you met and gotten to know so many people?
PK: I wouldn’t say I’m a celebrity, I just like to meet people, and it also helps when you have a 5,000 square foot house that holds roughly 400 people on a good night, so I say I meet a lot of people though those little get togethers.
HC: Word on the street is that people mistake you for real life Johnny Tsunami, how is it knowing your a real life celebrity?
PK: I love the fact that my name is Pono. As for Johnny yes, I’m from Hawaii, I surf, I suck at snowboarding, speak in a way that no one understands, and have long hair. It’s a great conversation starter, and not trying to brag, but, everyone loves Hawaiians (:
HC: In 10 years where do you see yourself?
PK: I would love to be playing football in the NFL, but if that doesn’t happen, maybe I could see myself opening a bar or promoting in vegas (: very ambitious I know…
HC: Lastly, what is your favorite Hawaiian word and why?
PK: Ohana, super cliché, I know. But without Ohana there is nothing. I’m here because of my them. I make friends who quickly become my family. Without all of you, there is no me. I am who I am because everyone has shaped me this way. Lilo and Stich says it best, “ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind”