Moanalua High's Stanford Leti was born in San Francisco, raised in San Diego and has lived here about five years.

But Na Menehune quarterback will get to see where his parents came from as part of a contingent of about 35 Hawai'i high school seniors who will represent the state in the third Samoa Bowl on Dec. 31 at Veterans Stadium on Pago Pago, American Samoa. Hawai'i will play a team of seniors from the six high schools in American Samoa.

"It's good going to see where my family came from," said Leti, a quarterback, running back, receiver, safety and return specialist who has relatives there. "It's going to be good to play in front of them."

But the cultural appreciation isn't limited to those of Samoan ancestry. Any high school senior who wanted to play was welcome. About five to eight non-Samoans usually make the trip, said Kahuku coach Siuaki Livai, who is coordinating the Hawai'i squad.

"About 90 percent of these players have never been there before," Livai said. "And even (those who were born there) left when they were young."

Pac-Five defensive end Russel Fisher, a senior at Mid-Pacific Institute, is one of those players not of Samoan ancestry.

"I'm black and white," said Fisher, who was born in California, but raised in Kailua.

In a meeting with the other players for the first time, each had to introduce himself.

"They asked what village I was from. I said, 'Alabama,' " joked Fisher.

Fisher described taking part in the event as being "pretty stoked."

"I want to make friends and play some football," he said. "I want to see another culture."

Pete Gurr, chairman of a committee planning the game, said there will be activities for the players after morning workouts. He assures that the players will be well-fed each day. Among the activities is a dinner hosted by Governor Togiola Tulafono, Gurr said.

The series is split at one win each. Hawai'i lost the inaugural game, 14-13. But what made that event memorable was when the Hawai'i team was stranded in American Samoa several days because of tropical cyclone Heta. Last year, the Hawai'i won, 20-8.

The team leaves Christmas Day and returns Jan. 2.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.