From the Podium: Sean McVay, Puka Nacua discuss 'Mauicamp' experience, giving back to a community that 'went through similar things' as L.A.

WAILUKU, Hawaii – The Rams took to War Memorial Stadium with fans in attendance for their first minicamp walkthrough in The Aloha State.

Rams head coach Sean McVay and wide receiver Puka Nacua spoke with the media afterwards to discuss their first day practicing in paradise and the impact of giving back to a Maui community that endured devastating wildfires in 2023, similar to the ones Los Angeles recently faced.

Here are the most significant quotes and talking points from those press conferences:

"I think there's a lot of understanding (of the Maui community), just based on some of the things that the L.A. community went through. And so there's a lot of empathy. There's a lot of understanding. And our players, what's so great about the group of men that we have in our locker room is they understand this platform that they're blessed with to be able to give back." - McVay

The Rams' players and coaches know that fans in Hawai'i don't get many opportunities to see NFL football in person, so they are happy to bring joy to a community that's gone through similar troubles to their own in L.A. McVay said the players know how to "bring the right vibe" to their interactions with fans in a way that's "authentic" to who they are. He added that "they're the type of group that makes you want to be better and not let them down."

This minicamp isn't just focused on football. McVay said it's about spending "good quality time with with each other" and using their platform to help a community they can empathize with.The Rams have "a role and a responsibility" to give back where and when they can, McVay said, and that it's "a blessing" to be in a position where they have the means to do so.

When asked if the Rams could come back for a preseason game in the future, as they did in 2019, McVay said he doesn't know, as he tries to take things one a year at a time.

"It feels like home. As soon as we got off the plane, the first person (I saw), he gave me a big hug. He had a big smile. He's like, 'Oh, thank you so much for everything you do for the Polynesian community.' That's how I expected it to be, to have a warm welcome, somebody to hug, and I thought he was gonna have a spam musubi. He didn't, but it was all right, we got them after." - Nacua

Nacua didn't grow up in Hawaii, but his Polynesian background makes him a fan favorite there, and he felt the love right away. He came to the podium having just eaten a spam musubi, a popular rice-based snack in Hawaii, which Nacua was adamant about having in its place of origin.

Giving back to the Maui community is especially meaningful because "it's something that we all can relate to," Nacua said. The whole team felt the impact of the L.A. wildfires and are eager engage with a Maui community that endured similar struggles. Nacua said putting smiles on kids faces and spreading joy is "something that I always want to be a part of." Spending time with a group of kids from Lanai, an island near Maui, Nacua said he could tell how "united" they are, "and that's how sports should be."

Representing the Polynesian community in Hawaii "doesn't feel real sometimes" to Nacua, who said he feels like he's the same age as the kids running up to him in awe, wanting autographs. He remembers feeling that way about Marcus Mariota growing up, a fellow Polynesian NFL player, and hopes the kids wearing his jersey carry the respect, honor and discipline that their culture promotes.