National Football Foundation

Ray Ma'ae has played an instrumental role in revitalizing the NFF Hawaii Chapter, helping restart the organization in 2024 after a seven-year period of inactivity and reestablishing its presence as an important resource for student-athletes across the islands.
 
As chapter president, Ma'ae has focused on creating opportunities for Hawaii student-athletes who face the significant expense of traveling to mainland camps and showcases to gain recruiting exposure. Working alongside an active board of directors, he has helped develop two signature chapter events that have resulted in nearly 300 college scholarship offers to participating student-athletes since the chapter's relaunch.
 
Ma'ae and the chapter have also been at the forefront of the growth of girls flag football in Hawaii. In December 2024, the chapter created the state's first free high school girls flag 7-on-7 clinic and game, providing a preview of the spring 2025 launch of sanctioned high school girls flag football in Hawaii. The sport has since expanded to 44 public schools statewide.
 
Ma'ae's commitment to mentoring young people through athletics stretches back decades. He previously co-owned a Hawaii youth sports organization that provided training and competition in tackle football, flag football, rugby, wrestling and boxing, building on his own lifelong involvement in athletics. He also serves as a regional scout for the Military Appreciation Bowl National Combine.
 
Away from football, Ma'ae spent 38 years as a correctional officer lieutenant for the State of Hawaii. He is also a sixth-degree Kajukenbo black belt and previously owned a self-defense school. Ma'ae and his wife, Leilani, reside in Kapolei, Hawaii. They have three children and five grandchildren.