Hawaii dismiss Kennedy Tulimasealii for violation of code of conduct

Hawaii football is losing possibly their best player on the team in defensive tackle Kennedy Tulimasealii for violation of the teams code of conduct.

Hawaii athletic director David Matlin announced the decision to remove Tulimasealii from the football team.

“Defensive lineman Kennedy Tulimasealii has been dismissed from the University of Hawaii football team for violating the UH student-athlete conduct code,” Matlin said in a released statement.

“We hope that Kennedy will continue his college education and work toward receiving his degree. He will always be a part of the Rainbow Warrior ʻohana and we hope that his recent troubles do not define his life.”

Tulimasealii was arrested twice this offseason and pleaded no contest to six criminal charges, including a felony accusation for property damage. He has been suspended indefinitely since April.

He is looking to have these charges expunged via a deferral which could happen if he stays out trouble for a certain number of time, but it depends on the Circuit Court judge who will rule on the deferral request at a sentencing hearing on Aug. 24.

The impact on the football field is big for the Hawaii defense as Tulimasealii was the Mountain West’s leading returner for tackles for loss with 18.5 last year.

The Warriors do not have one player who can make up that production in 2016, but new head coach Nick Rolovich wants to have his program full of players who obey the law.