Hula Bowl executive director Marcia Cherner-Klompus said yesterday that invitations have been extended to Hawaii's only All-Western Athletic Conference performer last year, and to one of the better centers in UH history as well.

"We think Eddie and Shane will be excellent additions to our team," Cherner-Klompus said yesterday. "They should feel honored to be among the first of 90 players nationwide that we sent invitations to. They're among the cream of the crop. Other Hawaii players will have a chance if they do well during the season."

Klaneski has been thinking about possibly being in the Hula Bowl since fall camp.

"It's always been a dream of mine to get to play," Klaneski said. "Spending a week in Maui with some of the best players in the country would be great."

UH coach Fred vonAppen also was pleased with Klaneski's and Oliveira's opportunities to be in the all-star game.

"You can't say enough about what Eddie has done for us," vonAppen said. "He's a special kind of player who deserves any and all honors. Shane also has done well, especially bouncing back from off-season ankle surgery."

Oliveira was slowed in the early part of camp, but recently said his ankles felt fine. The former St. Louis School standout is looking forward to the opportunity to play in the Hula Bowl to show the NFL scouts what he can do.

"I feel honored that they chose me already," Oliveira said last night. "I was kind of surprised, but I want to play well this season so I can earn that spot. I used to go to the game as a little kid with my family, so it's always been a dream of mine to play in it."

Hula Bowl chief executive officer Lenny Klompus also announced that North Carolina head coach Mack Brown will help Arizona State head coach Bruce Snyder coach the South, while North head coach John Cooper of Ohio State will be assisted by Syracuse main man Paul Pasqualoni.