DALLAS (FWAA) – Hawaii’s Karsyn Pupunu is this week’s nominee for the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award. Pupunu, a native of Lahaina, Maui, lost four family members in the August wildfire in Maui, which was the deadliest wildfire in the United States in more than a century.
Pupunu lost his uncle, Faaso Fonua Tone, his aunt, Malui Fonua Tone, and his cousins, Salote and Tony Takafua.
“My mentality right now is just to honor them in whatever I do, whether it’s coming out here, doing my best on the field or going in the classroom, just honoring them and trying my hardest every day to be great,” Pupunu told KHON2 in August.
Pupunu was excused from team activities to return home in the days after the fire, although he never missed a day of practice. Pupunu and defensive back Kimo Holo, a fellow Maui native, helped lead a donation drive within 48 hours of the fire. They were also among the more than 50 people from the Rainbow Warriors’ program to visit Maui in a one-day mission coordinated by the Lieutenant Governor’s office to help with relief efforts.
The Hawaii football program has worn a Maui decal on its helmets this season, a season that it has dedicated to the people of Maui.
Pupunu has played in all six games this season and started in two, including the home opener against Stanford. He has two catches this season for 48 yards, including a 15-yard reception this past Saturday at UNLV. He also returned one punt for 15 yards, in a win against Albany.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior is in his third year with the Rainbow Warriors after transferring from Weber State. Pupunu contributed on special teams last season and made the Mountain West Conference’s all-academic team.
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
Previous winners of the Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award are Oregon tight end Cam McCormick (2022), the University of Utah football Team (2021), Arkansas State analyst Alex Charlton (2020), Arkansas State coach Blake Anderson (2019), SUNY Cortland linebacker Kyle Richard (2018), Wisconsin safety D'Cota Dixon (2017), Pitt running back James Conner (2016), Miami offensive lineman Hunter Knighton (2015), Duke offensive lineman Laken Tomlinson (2014), San Jose State defensive lineman Anthony Larceval (2013), Clemson wide receiver Daniel Rodriguez (2012), Michigan State offensive lineman Arthur Ray Jr. (2011), Rutgers defensive tackle Eric LeGrand (2010), the University of Connecticut football team (2009), Tulsa's Wilson Holloway (2008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).008), Navy's Zerbin Singleton (2007), Clemson's Ray Ray McElrathbey (2006), the Tulane football team (2005), Memphis' Haracio Colen (2004), San Jose State's Neil Parry (2003) and Toledo's William Bratton (2002).
About Orange Bowl
Orange Bowl is a 404-member, primarily-volunteer non-profit sports organization that promotes and serves the South Florida community. With its primary mission since being created in 1935 to bring tourism to South Florida through an annual football game and events, it has also maintained a legacy of charitable contributions and community outreach. Orange Bowl’s community outreach is embodied by the four pillars of its Orange Bowl Cares program: Youth Sports, Education, Community Engagement and Legacy Programs. Orange Bowl features a year-round schedule of events culminating with the 2023 Capital One Orange Bowl on Dec. 30. For more information on the 2023 Orange Bowl events, including promotional inquiries and volunteer opportunities through the Ambassador Program, log on to orangebowl.org or follow @OrangeBowl on social media.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and gameday operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual All-America team. For more information about the FWAA and its programs and initiatives, contact Executive Director Steve Richardson at 214-870-6516 or tiger@fwaa.com.
To submit a nomination for the Capital One Orange Bowl Courage Award, contact Matt Fortuna at matt.fortuna@gmail.com.