kemoeatu grew up in kahuku, hawaii, in northern o'ahu. he attended kahuku high school, where he played for the school's football team. he helped lead the school to their first state championship, and was named the 2000 hawaii high school defensive player of the year. also selected first team all state and all league (oia) as a defensive lineman. as a junior was selected honorable mention all state defensive lineman. kemoeatu played on both sides of the ball in high school before playing offensive line at utah.