It took 37 years to complete the H-3 freeway.

It took 730 days to construct the Hawai'i Convention Center.

But newly hired head coach Greg McMackin needed just 18 days to build his first University of Hawai'i football recruiting class.

Who said there's no progress in Hawai'i?

McMackin, who was hired Jan. 16 as June Jones' successor, wasted little time in implementing — and carrying out — a fast-and-furious recruiting plan.

Limited to three weekends of hosted visits before today's start of the signing period, McMackin and his hired-on-the-fly staff canvassed Hawai'i and California to restock a team that lost a Heisman-finalist quarterback, four starting receivers and the top two cornerbacks.

The Warrior coaches renewed friendships, developed contacts and made face-to-face meetings a requirement, punctuated by McMackin's historic home visits on the North Shore last week.

By this past Sunday, the Warriors filled most of their pressing needs. They received verbal commitments from a quarterback (Brent Rausch of College of the Desert), five speedy receivers, and four cornerbacks.

They are among the 20 Warrior recruits who will sign binding national letters of intent today.

"Coach McMackin was the real difference," said Tuiatua Tuiasosopo, an All-State offensive lineman from Saint Louis School. "He's all about the player. He's real."

The Warriors had faced a culmination of obstacles. A recruiting budget frozen at $50,000 a year had restricted scouting trips to the Mainland in recent years.

A week after the 2007 regular season ended, when Jones was without a UH contract extension offer and his future uncertain, recruiting efforts shut down, idled for the next four weeks.

Following Jones' stunning departure to Southern Methodist University, the budget constraints were lifted. McMackin took advantage of the window of generosity, joining his assistant coaches on Mainland recruiting trips.

McMackin also empowered his top assistants — Ron Lee, Cal Lee, Rich Miano and George Lumpkin — to aggressively pursue prospects.

UH reopened the recruiting pipeline to City College of San Francisco, College of the Canyons and Compton College.

So hectic was the pace that two days after being hired as quarterbacks coach, Nick Rolovich was taking the NCAA exam on recruiting rules. The following day, Rolovich was meeting with prospects.

"They came in kind of late," said Lewis Walker, a cornerback from Judge Memorial High in Utah. "But the coaches were open. I'm happy they started to recruit me."

The UH coaches also were able to alleviate concerns. Ron Lee, who replaces Jones as the offensive coordinator, assured Rausch that a similar four-wide offense will be used.

During last weekend's recruiting trip, Rausch said, "we definitely talked about the offense. I'm excited. I can't wait."

McMackin, who agreed to a five-year contract, vowed to remain at UH at least through the 2012 season.

"He said, 'I'll stay with you until you graduate,' " Tuiasosopo recalled. "That meant a lot."

Last week, McMackin visited the homes of three Kahuku High players. Although UH head coaches had talked with Kahuku players on the North Shore in the past, they did not make home visits there in the previous 12 years.

Not only did the Warriors receive commitments from two of Kahuku's best players — All-State linebacker Paipai Falemalu and outside linebacker Alema Tachibana — they weathered late challenges from pesky suitors.

Oregon State continued to recruit Falemalu even after he gave his verbal commitment to UH last weekend. SMU called Rausch's coach last Saturday — while Rausch was visiting UH. Earlier, SMU tried to entice Kennedy High (Calif.) cornerback Steve Christian to take a recruiting trip. San Diego State kept after defensive end Haku Correa of Damien Memorial School.

And California and Oregon hounded Tuiasosopo.

"I told them not to bother," Tuiasosopo said. "I told them I committed (to UH). Too late already."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.