By KEVIN JAKAHI
Hawaii Tribune-Herald
Maiya Serrao started small, grew tall in soccer and eventually landed a scholarship to Fresno Pacific, where she’ll partner with Waiakea teammate Maluhia Kekuawela.
The two Waiakea seniors signed with the Sunbirds, shining a bright light on two BIIF players in the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
Time froze still and Serrao has the date she verbally committed eternally lodged in her memory.
“The day of Nov. 13, 2019 to me was a dream come true,” she said. “I have always dreamt of playing college soccer on a scholarship, not only for myself but to also help my parents financially. This feeling was the next step in my life and a feeling that I will cherish forever.
“The day after committing, my mom (Ann) an I talked about the commitment and described it as a surreal experience. There was a load of happiness and relief to finally have a set future to look forward to.”
Serrao attended a showcase game in front of the Sunbirds in Kailua-Kona. Coach Rob Podeyn liked Serrao’s skills at forward and started to talk to Serrao and her mom.
“Surprisingly, Malu and I had no idea that we were both talking to the same coach and had both committed the same day,” Serrao said. “I was then notified by the coach that he had just recruited another girl from my school, Maluhia Kekuawela.
“This was a complete shock to me but very exciting to be able to have a partner to go into this new journey with.”
Podeyn got a two-for-one recruiting deal with Serrao and Kekuawela, making one one trip to the Big Island and snagging two solid players.
In Serrao, he’ll add a midfielder who offers good pace on passes to the advancing player, or a forward who has the timing, technique and patience to finish.
The lure of Hawaii also appealed to Serrao, who knows that Fresno Pacific is part of the PacWest and plays against UH-Hilo.
“Coming home to play UHH was actually a key factor of my decision,” Serrao said. “I had actually watched the game between UHH and Fresno Pacific (2-0 Vulcans win), and I liked their style of play, which was a style I was familiar with. Being able to have an opportunity to come home and play in and for my hometown would be an amazing factor for me.”
Serrao started at Lightning Soccer Academy, a smaller Hawaii Youth Soccer Association club, under coaches Keoki and Kimi Brown.
They helped her grow into the player she would become.
Then she transitioned to RUSH Big Island Soccer Club, which was coached by UHH coaches like Gene Okamura, Erick Lemus and Josh Woodard.
Serrao credited RUSH for improving her work ethic, field vision, and determination.
She was also appreciative of her time at Waiakea, under Jason Nakayama, Lemus and Steve Petner.
“My years at Waiakea I was taught more deeply into leadership, competition, dedication, and teamwork,” she said. “All the coaches and players helped me to finally challenge myself to open up and adjust as a player and person.”
After her time at Fresno Pacific, Serrao hopes to return to Hilo as a healthcare administrator. She grew up in Hilo and the roots here hold on to her.
“Hilo has really been a backbone for my identity and has been a reason behind wanting to give back to this beautiful place. My love and desire for this place has influenced me to want to help contribute back to my community becoming stronger overall.”
She also counts her parents, Ann and Royce Serrao, and sister Kiana, who’s playing soccer at Puget Sound, as major influences.
She has made good use of her spare time. Serrao dances hula for Johnny Lum Ho and has been involved in student government and community service clubs.
She was vice president during her freshman and sophomore years at Waiakea. That role opened her eyes to new perspectives.
“It allowed me the task of leadership, have constant positivity and encounter lots of problem solving,” she said. “These skills allowed me to open up as a person, communicate and connect with many people of different ages and personalities.”
She was also part of the school’s Leo Club for four years and the treasurer as a junior.
“Community service was one big aspect that allowed me to give back on my own time to the community,” Serrao said. “Dancing hula for Johnny Lum Ho gave me strength and sisterhoods that I can take with me for a lifetime. I had been dancing since I was 6 years old and have grew up in this halau until now.”
Her soccer career at Waiakea hasn’t exactly been a bed of roses. The Warriors have never made states but beat rival Hilo twice during her senior season but lost to the Vikings 2-1 in the BIIF semifinals.
Waiakea’s season was over. Serrao had to deal with the disappointment with a balanced outlook.
“One saying I have learned to live by in soccer that also carries over into life is “Sometimes that is how the game goes and the ball rolls.’ You will never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory,” she said. “You can do whatever you put your mind to if you work hard enough for it.”