Paul Nunu — Wyoming’s ‘Hawaiian Punch’ — Passes Away at 71
LARAMIE -- Paul Nunu was the "Hawaiian Punch" on one of Wyoming's most-feared defenses.
After moving from the interior line to middle linebacker, the senior captain tallied 127 tackles in 1976, including an eye-popping 20 stops in a thrilling home win over New Mexico. He also recovered a pair of fumbles in the 24-23 victory over the Lobos, one that required a late goal-line stand on a two-point conversion attempt.
"The defense was told to quit being cautious and go out and play like we know you can play," then head coach Fred Akers told the Casper Star-Tribune.
Nunu got the message.
That outing earned him Sports Illustrated Player of the Week Honors. He was also later named the WAC Lineman of the Year.
The eventual All-American selection would help lead the Cowboys to a berth in the Fiesta Bowl that December.
His feats on the football field are well documented. His impact on the state and in his community, though, is often overlooked.
That 8-4 campaign and meeting with national power Oklahoma was the first real taste of success in Laramie since the infamous Black 14 incident that left the program in ruins. Nunu also inadvertently opened a pipeline to the high plains -- and elsewhere across the college football landscape -- for Polynesian players that came after him, including Malcom Floyd, Mike Purcell and many others.
A beloved son, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin and friend to many, passed away peacefully on July 24, 2026 in Hauula, Hawaii, his obituary reads. He was just 71 years old.
Nunu laid down for a nap that afternoon and died in his sleep, according to his son, Zak. It's not yet known if his history with heart issues was the ultimate culprit. Paul Nunu was active and had recently lost a lot of weight, which makes this sudden loss even more puzzling, he added.
"It was completely unexpected," Zak continued.
The native of American Samoa moved to the island of Oahu when he was 13 and quickly excelled in football and wrestling at Kahuku High School, eventually earning a scholarship to UW in 1974 where he played for head coach Fritz Shurmur.
Akers took over the reins of the program during Nunu's sophomore season.
"Paul was a great teammate and a true tough guy," said former UW safety Aaron Kyle (1972-75), who later went on to win the Super Bowl as a member of the Dallas Cowboys' secondary. "He played on the defensive line during the time I was there. He was undersized for a defensive tackle, but he was tough ... He moved to linebacker after I left and really excelled in that role.
"He was the first Hawaiian I ever met. He had a big heart. He was a really nice guy."
After winning just four games during his first two collegiate campaigns, Nunu and the Cowboys reeled off five straight victories and won six of their first seven games, including upending rival BYU 34-29 in Provo.
Those two teams would later become Co-WAC Champions with matching 6-1 records in conference play.
"That's a shame really. He was such a good person," former UW quarterback Don Clayton (1975-78) said. "I learned what intensity was about, watching him play. He was a very intense person. He studied the game and was a heck of a leader -- by example and encouragement. Just a great guy. I was blessed to be around guys like him.
"We had several in that category and, fortunately, put things together (in '76). We had good pieces to the puzzle and Paul was a main piece. Boy, did he make plays."
He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Ragan Nunu, sisters Leafaitulagi Nunu Lealao and Fuatino Nunu Faitala, his obituary states.
He is survived by his sister Lurline "Nini" Nunu Arp (Adolf) of Laie, brother Iosia Nunu, Jr of Laie, sister Grace Nunu Alaiasa (Kalili) of Laie, son Zak Nunu of Cheyenne, WY, daughter Keli Turkall (Joe) of Key West, FL, granddaughter Mia Buranamontri of Pleasanton, CA, grandson Sam Buranamontri of Las Vegas, NV, grandson Jody Turkall and granddaughter Johanna Turkall of Key West, FL, grandson Jakob Nunu and granddaughter Aleah Nunu of Cheyenne, WY, and numerous beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
A hui hou, paniolo.
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