One of the top special-team players in recent Hawai'i football history is ready for a hana hou performance.

Guyton Galdeira, who left the Warriors in March to perform in a Waikiki show, rejoined the team this week and resumed practicing yesterday.

"It's like Christmas in October," associate head coach Rich Miano said of Galdeira's return.

Galdeira, even at 5 feet 8, was one of the toughest members of the kickoff and punt units. He served the role of "gunner," and his assignment was to stalk the returner.

But Galdeira, who was not on football scholarship, received an offer he could not refuse — a lucrative contract to perform in "Waikiki Nei" at the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center. Galdeira was hired as a hula and contemporary dancer, singer, actor and acrobat.

"I made a life choice," said Galdeira, who had one season of NCAA eligibility remaining when he left the team.

"It was such a tough decision for him to leave," Miano said. "It was really tearing at him. I think he was ready to break down and cry. But it was such a great opportunity."

Although critically acclaimed, the show was a victim of the economic downturn on Kalakaua Avenue. It went on "hiatus" the past Friday.

This past Monday, Miano and head coach Greg McMackin called Galdeira. They met that day, and that afternoon Galdeira attended a team meeting.

With rousing encouragement from the players, Galdeira accepted an invitation to rejoin the Warriors.

"Words cannot explain how I feel to have Guyton Galdeira back," linebacker Tyson Kafentzis said. "He is a juggernaut on special teams. He's an impact player. Everybody was waiting for him to come back — wishing, praying. And then it happened. It's beautiful."

Kick returner Ryan Mouton also praised Galdeira, saying, "He's going to help us out in the special-teams game."

The reassimilation was eased because Galdeira has been taking classes this semester. He is set to earn a bachelor's degree in economics in December.

Galdeira took a physical examination, read an NCAA handout and attended an orientation session.

"It's a great situation," Miano said. "He's in shape. He's taking classes. He knows our system. It's the middle of the season, guys are banged up, we don't have a bye for a long time and here comes a fresh body who can actually help us win. It's like something fell out of the sky."

Galdeira said his initial departure "was an economic decision. It was a life choice I had to make. I left on good terms. I'm glad the boys want me back. I'm super excited to be back."

He will not be on scholarship.

He has kept fit with daily running. Yesterday, Galdeira ran a series of 110-yard sprints after practice.

Being back, he said, "seems kind of surreal. I came out here and everything seemed kind of like a blur. Right now, I'm trying to get back into football shape. I have to get my legs back into shape."

It is not known when he will be used again. But Ikaika Malloe, who coordinates the special-team units, said, "I'm excited to get him out there."

Galdeira said: "It's like my second chance. Whatever I can do to help out the team in the last eight games or so, I'm willing to do, whether that's running down on a kickoff or being on the scout team. I don't care if I play another play or not as long as I'm here with the guys."

RIGHT WAY, WRONG CALL?

McMackin said Western Athletic Conference officials told him that Mouton was coached to do the right thing on a play that was ruled as pass interference.

The controversial call was made in the fourth quarter of UH's 32-29 overtime victory over Fresno State. Mouton, playing cornerback, was assessed a 15-yard penalty for the way he defended wideout Seyi Ajirotutu.

McMackin asked the WAC for "clarification" of the play. In the WAC's response, McMackin said, he was told that Mouton was coached to "properly execute" that play.

McMackin did not ask for an apology.

He was told that another controversial penalty, a running-into-the-kicker violation against Calvin Roberts, was a "judgment call."

McMackin said league rules prohibit him from commenting on the quality of the officiating.

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