Surrounded by his family, Dalton Lins holds his letter of intent to attend Boise State University this fall.

LAHAINA – In the picturesque setting that only the shores of Kaanapali Beach at Black Rock can provide, the family, friends, teammates and coaches of Dalton Lins gathered recently in the Sheraton Maui dining room that overlooks the world-renowned shoreline to celebrate his graduation from Lahainaluna High School.

But there was an added feature to the mid-morning brunch, as the strapping, 6’3″, 280-pound Lins – a stalwart along the offensive front throughout his high school career for the two-time defending Division II State Football Champion Lunas – surprised the gathering by announcing and signing his letter of intent to attend Boise State University this fall.

Young Lins plans to study business at BSU and redshirt his first year there to train and develop his skills to be able to contribute to the highly regarded Division I Broncos football program.

As fate would have it, the Boise State recruiting coach that brought Dalton to the school was none other than Chad Kauhaahaha, the former Baldwin High School coach who is certainly familiar with the caliber of football played on Maui.

At 6’3″, Lins thinks he might be too “small” to play offensive tackle – one of the positions he toiled at in his four championship and all-star seasons opening the gaping lanes that characterized the Lahainaluna ground game.

“Most tackles are 6’6″, so I might move over to guard or center, and also try out for long-snapper,” he said.

“I’m just excited to be able to have this opportunity to get a college education and to continue playing football at Boise State. I am so thankful to the Lahaina community, and particularly to my teachers, coaches, teammates and family, for all of the support I’ve received throughout high school and before that as well. I look forward to the opportunity to make the Lahaina community proud.”

Dalton’s mom and dad, Dr. Nancy and Lee Lins, are articulate and engaged parents that fully realize and appreciate the priceless culture of the Lahaina community, which continually pays forward the development process of its younger generations.

In separate and sincere addresses to the gathering, mom and dad thanked all in attendance for their positive influence on Dalton, saying, “We can’t thank all of you enough for what you’ve done for us. To the coaches and supporters of the football team, thank you for all you do.”

Luna co-head coach Garret Tihada returned the compliment in saying, “Dalton is the type of player that you wish you had 50 of every year. It is a credit to his father and mother – Lee and Dr. Nancy Lins – because they raised him to be a hard worker and respectful of others.”

“Dalton is blessed with great size, but yet he works like he is undersized and has something to prove every day. He is appreciative for everything that he is given and worked for every accolade he has received,” he continued.

Lins is the recipient of the 2017 Arthur Osamu “Oscar” Chihara Scholarship Award, which recognizes the senior Luna player that most exemplifies the spirit of Lahainaluna football.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to coach a player like Dalton Lins,” Tihada concluded.