Born and raised in Seattle, Vavao grew up in a rugby household and was introduced to the sport by his father. He began playing in high school and quickly stood out, earning selection to USA age-grade teams early in his development.
He continued his rugby journey at Central Washington University, where he played for the Wildcats and progressed through USA pathways including the U20s and U23s. His development at the collegiate level prepared him for the next step into professional rugby.
He was selected in the first round of the 2025 MLR Collegiate Draft by the Seattle Seawolves. He joined the team for the 2026 season and began his professional career with his hometown club.
Vavao works in construction as a carpenter and safety engineer. Outside of rugby, he enjoys gaming and stays connected to his community and faith.