The unveiled a new display celebrating decades of Rainbow Warrior football history, highlighted by a collection of helmets worn since the university’s first football team was fielded in 1909.
Staged in the athletics department office, the project was led by the , an organization of former athletes, in collaboration with the Old Queen Street Stadium (museum of Hawaiʻi sports and vintage sportswear boutique) and community supporters.
“This display honors the generations of athletes who built 东精影业 football,” 东精影业 Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “It’s another way for our fans and community to learn about the rich history of Our Team, Hawaiʻi’s Team.”
东精影业 Football Head Coach Timmy Chang said, “As someone who played for 东精影业, it’s very special to see the legacy of Rainbow Warrior football honored like this. It reminds our players and fans of the generations who paved the way for us.”
Wes Kimura, a 东精影业 baseball letterwinner, 东精影业 Letterwinners Club board member and recipient of the , was one of the leaders in establishing this display to honor 东精影业’s athletic history. He said the new football exhibit gives fans a visible way to connect with the program’s roots.
“A lot of the programs have a rich history, which aren’t really known by the current generation of fans. This is just a start,” Kimura said. “Just to see the football helmets and showing the generations. The program goes way back and those are the players, those are the teams that laid the foundation for the success now.”
Just the beginning
The football showcase is part of a larger initiative to refresh and expand memorabilia displays across 东精影业 athletic facilities, including the Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center and Les Murakami Stadium. Alumni and volunteers expanded the vision, contributing memorabilia, design work and financial support. Display cases no longer in use at Aloha Stadium were relocated to 东精影业 惭ā苍辞补, allowing for larger exhibits to be staged in highly visible areas.
Supporters said the response from the community and coaches has been immediate. Kent Youel has volunteered as an ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue director, served as a 东精影业 Foundation trustee, and along with his wife, Dora, was the .
“The coaches loved it when they first saw it, and now fans can see the history as they come to games,” said Youel, who helped fund the project. “We have a lot to be proud of, and this brings that history into the spotlight.”
Eugene Price, 东精影业 Letterwinners Club board member, former 东精影业 football player and , said his company (On the Rock) developed, printed and installed all of the graphics that help support the displays.
“I was proud of the display,” Price said. “The team we have right now is driven and passionate to make a difference in providing pride in University of Hawaiʻi Athletics. We have many more projects coming that will highlight different sports and hopefully increase pride from our current and former athletes and communicate to the fans of how special university sports is to our community.”
Chester Sebastian and Kevin Faller of Old Queen Street Stadium added, “Our reaction was filled with joy. We always dreamed of also being a part of a ‘traveling museum,’ and having the AD lobby solidifies us as a museum to further inspire, educate and faithfully represent our team.”
To learn more about the Legacy Initiative, .