Ben Ohai is best known as the father of Kealia Ohai Watt, the former professional soccer player who played in the National Women’s Soccer League. He is not a loud public figure. He is not someone who tries to live through fame. Still, Ben Ohai has an important story. His life connects family, sports, Hawaiian roots, and steady support.
Many fans search for him because Kealia has become a known name in soccer and sports media. Official records from North Carolina list Kealia as the daughter of Cindy and Ben Ohai, and they also note her birth date as January 31, 1992, in Sandy, Utah.
Quick Bio: Kealia Ohai’s Dad
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ben Ohai |
| Known For | Father of Kealia Ohai Watt |
| Family Name | Ohai family |
| Heritage | Hawaiian roots |
| College Sport | Wrestling |
| College Team | Brigham Young University |
| Wrestling Record | 116 wins and 8 losses |
| Major Honor | Two-time WAC wrestling champion |
| Wife | Cindy Ohai |
| Children | Kealia, Megan, Cambria, and Aubrey Ohai |
| Famous Daughter | Kealia Ohai Watt |
| Son-in-Law | J.J. Watt |
| Public Life | Mostly private |
Ben Ohai and His Hawaiian Roots
Ben Ohai has strong Hawaiian roots, and that part of his life matters to the family story. Reports about Kealia’s background say her father was connected to Hawaii, and her first name came from Kealia Beach on Kauai. This makes the name Kealia more than just a pretty name. It is a family link. It points back to place, memory, and identity.
For readers in 2026, this detail gives Ben Ohai’s story more meaning. It shows that family names can carry history. It also shows how parents can pass culture to children in simple ways. A name can become a bridge between one generation and the next.
Ben Ohai as a College Athlete
Before many people knew him as Kealia’s dad, Ben Ohai had his own sports path. He was a strong wrestler at Brigham Young University. The Utah Wrestling Hall of Fame says Ben was recruited by BYU for both football and wrestling.
It also lists him as a two-time All-American wrestler and a two-time Western Athletic Conference champion at 190 pounds in 1973 and 1974. His college record was 116 wins and only 8 losses. The same source says he never lost a match to a WAC opponent.
What Wrestling Taught Ben Ohai
Wrestling is a hard sport. It needs strength, focus, balance, and patience. Ben Ohai learned those lessons long before his daughters became known for sports. A wrestler must train when nobody is watching. He must keep calm after losing points. He must also keep working when the body feels tired.
These ideas likely shaped the way Ben Ohai guided his family. He did not need to push his children with loud words. His own life showed them what discipline looked like. This is why his sports past matters. It helps explain the strong athletic spirit in the Ohai family.
Ben Ohai and Cindy Ohai

Ben Ohai and his wife, Cindy Ohai, raised a family that became closely tied to sports. Their home was not just about talent. It was also about work, support, and belief. Kealia’s college profile lists Cindy and Ben Ohai as her parents, and it also notes that her sister Megan played soccer at USC from 2007 to 2010.
Megan was part of USC’s 2007 NCAA championship team. This shows that the Ohai home had more than one athlete. It was a family where sports were part of daily life, but family support was still the base.
Ben Ohai’s Daughters
Ben Ohai is the father of four daughters: Kealia, Megan, Cambria, and Aubrey. Kealia is the most public because of her soccer career and marriage to J.J. Watt. Megan also had a strong soccer path. Deseret News reported that Megan played at USC and that she and Kealia were both high-level players from a young age.
Cambria and Aubrey have kept a more private profile. This mix is important. It shows that not every family member has to live in public. Ben Ohai’s family story is not only about fame. It is also about different paths, different choices, and the right to live quietly.
How Ben Ohai Connects to Kealia Ohai’s Soccer Story
Kealia Ohai grew into a top soccer player. Her journey started in Utah and moved to college soccer, the NWSL, and the U.S. women’s national team. Deseret News reported that Kealia was a major recruit at Alta High School and that more than 300 schools were interested in her.
The same report also said Ben was a BYU alum and a former All-American wrestler. That link matters. Kealia had her own talent, speed, and drive. But she also came from a home where hard work was already normal. Ben Ohai helped give her that kind of foundation.
Kealia Ohai’s College and Pro Career

Kealia played college soccer at the University of North Carolina. She later became a professional player with the Houston Dash and the Chicago Red Stars. Chicago announced in 2020 that it had acquired Kealia Ohai from the Houston Dash in a trade.
A 2022 Chicago Red Stars media guide also listed Kealia Watt as a forward and noted her time with Houston and Chicago, along with major career details such as her 2016 Houston Dash season and her U.S. women’s national team debut. These facts help readers understand why people search for Ben Ohai. His daughter built a serious soccer career.
The Sports Family Became Larger
The Ohai family became even more known when Kealia married former NFL star J.J. Watt. People reported that J.J. and Kealia married in the Bahamas on February 15, 2020. The same report said they welcomed their first son, Koa James Watt, on October 23, 2022.
In 2025, the family grew again when Kealia and J.J. welcomed their second son, Niko Benjamin Watt. People reported that Niko was born on June 14, 2025. For Ben Ohai, this means his family story now includes a new generation.
New 2026 Update on Kealia Ohai Watt
A useful 2026 update is that Kealia Ohai Watt is now known not only as a former player but also as a sports figure after retirement.
Deseret News reported in July 2026 that Kealia is a Draper native, a former NWSL player, and a Burnley minority investor with J.J. Watt. It also noted that she played at Alta High School, North Carolina, and in the NWSL with Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars.
This gives Ben Ohai’s story a fresh angle for 2026. His daughter’s path did not end when she stopped playing. It moved into family life, club ownership, and support for women’s soccer.
Ben Ohai’s Private Life
Ben Ohai appears to live a private life. This is important to say clearly. There is no strong public record for his exact date of birth, current job, or net worth. Good articles should not invent those details. Many online posts guess too much about private family members. A better way is to focus on facts that can be checked. Ben Ohai was a serious college wrestler.
He is Kealia’s father. He has Hawaiian roots. He and Cindy raised athletic daughters. He is connected to the Watt family through Kealia’s marriage. That is enough to tell a real story without adding fake claims.
Why Ben Ohai’s Story Matters
Ben Ohai’s story matters because it shows the value of the parent behind the athlete. Fans often see goals, medals, trades, and headlines. They do not always see the family work behind them. Ben Ohai’s life gives a fuller view of Kealia Ohai’s journey. His wrestling past shows discipline. His Hawaiian roots show family identity.
His private life shows humility. His daughters’ paths show that a steady home can help children grow with confidence. This is why Ben Ohai is more than a name in Kealia’s biography. He is part of the support system that helped shape her life.
Final Thoughts
Ben Ohai is not famous in the same way Kealia Ohai Watt is famous. That is what makes his story interesting. He has lived with quiet strength, family pride, and a strong sports background. His record at BYU shows that he was once an excellent athlete in his own right. His role as Kealia’s father shows the power of support that does not need attention.
In 2026, readers can see Ben Ohai as a father, former wrestler, and family figure whose influence still reaches through Kealia’s soccer legacy, her new life after playing, and the next generation of the Ohai-Watt family.
FAQs
Who is Ben Ohai?
Her is the father of Kealia Ohai Watt. He is also a former college wrestler at Brigham Young University. He is known for his sports background, Hawaiian roots, and private family life.
Why is Ben Ohai connected to Kealia Ohai?
Her is Kealia Ohai’s dad. Kealia became known through soccer. She played for North Carolina, Houston Dash, Chicago Red Stars, and the U.S. women’s national team.
Was Ben Ohai an athlete?
Yes. Her was a strong college wrestler at BYU. The Utah Wrestling Hall of Fame lists him as a two-time All-American and two-time WAC champion with a 116-8 college record.
How many children does Ben Ohai have?
Ben Ohai and Cindy Ohai are widely reported to have four daughters: Kealia, Megan, Cambria, and Aubrey. Kealia and Megan are the most connected to public sports records.
Is Ben Ohai related to J.J. Watt?
Yes. Ben Ohai is J.J. Watt’s father-in-law. J.J. Watt married Kealia Ohai Watt in 2020, and the couple now has two sons, Koa James and Niko Benjamin.
