Usolympicteam.com had an opportunity to ask Kai several questions about growing up in Hawaii, her current accomplishments and even her favorite movie. The following is that interview.

Q1: What were your impressions of China while you were there for the Four Nations Tournament?
Natasha Kai: China was exciting I guess you could say. I mean we had a very young team out there, so. My first time being to China was in 2003 with the Under-21 team so it was my second time back there in a couple years. Overall, I think, it was a good experience. There were three hard teams to challenge and I think we did well as a team.

Q2: Tell  me a little bit about playing soccer in Hawaii. You didn’t start playing until you were in high school, is that correct?
NK: I played when I was younger. I started playing soccer when I was seven. My dad was my coach all the way until I was a teenager.

Q3: What was it like to play in Hawaii?
NK: When I was growing up, there wasn’t that much. Where I lived on the North Shore there were probably two teams. So we had to travel around the whole island playing and the talent there wasn’t great when I was growing up. Now when I look back, the kids there now, there’s so much talent back there, it’s crazy.

Q4: Is it true that you played a lot of different sports in high school?
NK: Yes. I played volleyball, ran cross country, ran track, played basketball. I think that’s it. Soccer. Q5: So how did decide to stick with soccer?
NK: Well it was between basketball, soccer and track. Whichever one gave me a scholarship I would have went and played that sport. So, when I was a senior I got a bunch of scholarships for soccer and track. And I just kind of grew out of running track because I wanted to be playing with a team, and track is mostly individual, so I just stuck with soccer.

Q6: What do you think were some of the biggest challenges that you faced growing up playing soccer in Hawaii?
NK: I just think it was hard for me because I wasn’t around players from the mainland. I wasn’t around the national team a lot. Because, you know, being in Hawaii, we are far from everyone. I didn’t really travel. I have a big family, so I didn’t really have the money to go on trips with club teams to go to like, ODP. I mean, I didn’t have that. I was lucky to even be able to get a scholarship for college, so from there I just played and I made it here.

Q7: How do you feel you were able to overcome some of those major challenges?
NK: Well, some of my challenges were really hard. First of all, I didn’t ever think, me, being from Hawaii, I would ever be in the place I am in now. It’s a gift. All of us have talents, and I just stuck with my talent and practiced and practiced. My family and my friends never gave up on me. They are always pushing me and pushing me and I made it here, and I’m so glad for that.

Q8: Can you talk a little bit about the place you are in now? What was it like when you made your first national team?
NK: It was amazing. I never thought I would ever be recognized at all. I was just playing soccer, I love the sport. When I go on the field it’s just about soccer. When my coach told me I was getting called up I was so nervous because I was coming up against the best people in the nation. I kind of freaked out and I came into camp and I was like “Whoa!” Blown away. Totally blown away. It took me a couple of days to actually get settled in, kick out my nerves and everything. After that I was just like, you know, I’m here for a reason. Coach saw something in me. I’m just gonna play.

Q9: Do you still get nervous now?
NK: Oh yeah, all the time.

Q10: What do you do to deal with that nervousness?
NK: I just listen to music.

Q11: What do you feel is your greatest accomplishment?
NK: I think my greatest accomplishment is sticking with my goals and my dreams. I told my dad when I was five years old I was going to play for the United States and I want to make it to the Olympics or the World Cup. Right now I’m living my dream. I’m on the road going toward there. And playing with the girls I once looked up to. I still look up to.

Q12: What message do you have for younger soccer players, especially ones who might come from smaller towns, like you did?
NK: My whole thing is you set a goal, you dream big and you don’t ever give up on your dreams. I know everyone says that, but for me, I never gave up on my dreams ever, and right now I’m living my dream. There’s still more to come in life. I still have a lot more journey to go to. Reaching the top of the ladder I set for myself… I’m even setting a higher ladder for myself to accomplish even greater things in life, so.

Q13: What do you hope to accomplish before you end your soccer career?
NK: Just to make a name for the U.S. team. Make a name for Women’s soccer. Make a name for myself. Help all of us grow as a team.

Q14: What would you say is the best advice you’ve ever received?
NK: The best advice I’ve ever received. Hm… Let me think. Uhm, I don’t know. Can we get back to that question?

Q15: Sure. Where is your favorite place you’ve ever visited for competition?
NK: I think it would have to be Brazil.

Q16: Why is that?
NK: Because I don’t really travel a lot, I just got around the States. China was my first trip out of the country, and that was kind of like, “Whoa.” And then we went to Brazil next, and it just reminded me so much of Hawaii. It was beautiful, the beaches, just everything about Brazil reminded me of home. And I like that. I like being around places I’m not used to and feeling like I’m at home. I feel more comfortable.

Q17: I guess probably the last question I have for you is what do you like to do in your spare time?
NK: I like to surf.

Q18: What kind of things do you do to relax besides surfing?
NK: I mean, I’m a cruise kind of person. Being at home, watching a movie or TV, or just going out, kicking it at the beach, hanging out with my friends, I love doing that.

Q19: What’s your favorite movie?
NK: My favorite movie… Juwanna Man.

Q20: Why’s that?
NK: Because it’s funny, I don’t know. I love sports, I love being around it. I love movies that involve sports. It’s just a funny story.

Okay, great. Well I don’t want to take up too much of your time. I really appreciate you giving me a call today Natasha. Best of luck in everything you have coming up. I really appreciate your call.

NK: I remembered something I wanted to tell you. The advice thing. One of my coaches always tells me I have a lot of heart. So every time I go out on the field I always remember I have heart and I play with my heart.