Best NFL players born in Hawaii
Football has long been woven into the cultural fabric of America, and every state has produced its share of gridiron legends. From Hall of Fame quarterbacks to record-setting receivers and defensive stalwarts, some of the NFL's greatest talents trace their roots back to Hawaii.
Using data from Pro Football Reference, Stacker compiled a ranking of the best NFL players born in Hawaii. Players were ranked by weighted career approximate value (AV), a metric developed by Pro Football Reference that measures overall career impact. Data is as of the start of the 2025 NFL season.
This list highlights players who made their mark on the league—some remembered for their longevity, others for their peak dominance. Read on to see which football stars born in Hawaii have left the biggest legacy in NFL history.
#49. Arnold Morgado (RB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1977-1980
- Games played: 52
- Weighted career value: 8
#49. Fred Brown (LB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1965-1969
- Games played: 40
- Weighted career value: 8
#47. Charles Aiu (G) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1976-1978
- Games played: 33
- Weighted career value: 9
#47. Chris Fuamatu-Ma'afala (RB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1998-2004
- Games played: 73
- Weighted career value: 9
#45. Aaron Francisco (DB) (tie)
- City: Laie
- Years played: 2005-2010
- Games played: 75
- Weighted career value: 10
#45. Shawn Patterson (DE) (tie)
- City: Oahu
- Years played: 1988-1993
- Games played: 48
- Weighted career value: 10
#42. John Kapele (DE) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1960-1962
- Games played: 38
- Weighted career value: 11
#42. Kamalei Correa (OLB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2016-2020
- Games played: 63
- Weighted career value: 11
#42. Kani Kauahi (C) (tie)
- City: Kekaha
- Years played: 1982-1993
- Games played: 140
- Weighted career value: 11
#41. Nate Herbig (G)
- City: Lihue
- Years played: 2019-2023 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 61
- Weighted career value: 12
#38. Guy Whimper (T) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2006-2013
- Games played: 78
- Weighted career value: 13
#38. Kaluka Maiava (OLB) (tie)
- City: Wailuku
- Years played: 2009-2014
- Games played: 63
- Weighted career value: 13
#38. Wayne Hunter (T) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2004-2012
- Games played: 77
- Weighted career value: 13
#36. David Hughes (RB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1981-1986
- Games played: 74
- Weighted career value: 15
#36. Itula Mili (TE) (tie)
- City: Kahuku
- Years played: 1998-2006 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 114
- Weighted career value: 15
#35. Jamin Davis (LB)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2021-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 54
- Weighted career value: 16
#33. Byron Chamberlain (TE) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1995-2003 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 106
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 17
#33. Hal Stringert (DB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1975-1980 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 69
- Weighted career value: 17
#32. Josh Mauga (LILB)
- City: Ewa Beach
- Years played: 2010-2015 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 59
- Weighted career value: 18
#30. David Amerson (CB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2013-2018 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 74
- Weighted career value: 20
#30. Manti Te'o (ILB) (tie)
- City: Laie
- Years played: 2013-2020 (4 years as starter)
- Games played: 62
- Weighted career value: 20
#29. Travis LaBoy (DE)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2004-2011 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 95
- Weighted career value: 21
#28. Ka'imi Fairbairn (K)
- City: Kailua
- Years played: 2017-2024 (2 years as starter)
- Games played: 123
- Weighted career value: 22
#26. Esera Tuaolo (NT) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1991-1999 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 24
#26. Kamu Grugier-Hill (OLB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2016-2024 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 132
- Weighted career value: 24
#25. Jim Nicholson (T)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1974-1979 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 72
- Weighted career value: 26
#24. Chris Kemoeatu (G)
- City: Kahuka
- Years played: 2006-2011 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 75
- Weighted career value: 27
#23. Karl Lorch (DE)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1976-1981 (3 years as starter)
- Games played: 90
- Weighted career value: 28
#22. Mel Tom (DE)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1967-1975 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 117
- Weighted career value: 31
#21. Leo Goeas (G)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1990-1997 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 33
#20. Bern Brostek (C)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1990-1997 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 105
- Weighted career value: 34
#19. Isaac Seumalo (G)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2016-2024 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 35
#17. Phil Loadholt (T) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2009-2014 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 89
- Weighted career value: 36
#17. Shawn Lauvao (G) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2010-2018 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 99
- Weighted career value: 36
#16. Gary Campbell (LB)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1977-1983 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 93
- Weighted career value: 41
#15. Kurt Gouveia (LB)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1987-1999 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 183
- Weighted career value: 43
#14. Ray Schoenke (G)
- City: Wahiawa
- Years played: 1963-1975 (6 years as starter)
- Games played: 145
- Weighted career value: 44
#12. Tua Tagovailoa (QB) (tie)
- City: Ewa Beach
- Years played: 2020-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 64
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 45
#12. Tyson Alualu (DT) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2010-2023 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 193
- Weighted career value: 45
#11. Samson Satele (C)
- City: Kailua
- Years played: 2007-2014 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 118
- Weighted career value: 48
#10. Vince Manuwai (G)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2003-2010 (7 years as starter)
- Games played: 111
- Weighted career value: 49
#7. Kimo von Oelhoffen (DE) (tie)
- City: Kaunakakai
- Years played: 1994-2007 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 197
- Weighted career value: 56
#7. Marcus Mariota (QB) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2015-2024 (5 years as starter)
- Games played: 93
- Weighted career value: 56
#7. Rocky Freitas (T) (tie)
- City: Kailua
- Years played: 1968-1978 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 134
- Pro Bowl selections: 1
- Weighted career value: 56
#6. Chris Naeole (G)
- City: Kailua
- Years played: 1997-2007 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 154
- Weighted career value: 61
#5. Dominic Raiola (C)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 2001-2014 (13 years as starter)
- Games played: 219
- Weighted career value: 64
#4. Max Unger (C)
- City: Kailua-Kona
- Years played: 2009-2018 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 130
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 69
#2. DeForest Buckner (DT) (tie)
- City: Wainanae
- Years played: 2016-2024 (8 years as starter)
- Games played: 141
- Pro Bowl selections: 3
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 73
#2. Olin Kreutz (C) (tie)
- City: Honolulu
- Years played: 1998-2011 (11 years as starter)
- Games played: 195
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 73
#1. Matt Blair (LB)
- City: Hilo
- Years played: 1974-1985 (9 years as starter)
- Games played: 160
- Pro Bowl selections: 6
- All-Pro selections (1st team): 1
- Weighted career value: 74
