Rainbow Warriors Overview

Fast facts

League: NCAA Football

Head Coach: Timmy Chang

Team Mascot: Vili the Warrior

Year Opened: 2015

Capacity: 15194

City / State: Honolulu / Hawaii

Rivalries & Top Games to Attend

Hawaii vs Fresno State

Rival Team: Fresno StateBulldogs

The rivalry between Fresno State and Hawaii is a fairly new one. However, there seems to be a lot of bad blood here especially among the fans. Both teams have performed well on the field lately, and there have been several incidents of coaches and fans accusing the other team of bad sportsmanship.

Hawaii vs BYU

Rival Team: BYU Cougars

Many Hawaii fans view BYU as their biggest rival due to the large Mormon population in the state. BYU also tends to recruit a lot of players from Hawaii, which has led to a somewhat one-sided rivalry where many Hawaii fans don’t like BYU, but BYU fans feel indifferent towards Hawaii. The Rainbow Warriors and their fans get up for match ups with BYU, so you can expect a great atmosphere when Hawaii takes on the Cougars.

Paniolo Trophy

Rival Team: Wyoming Cowboys

Hawaii and Wyoming play for the Paniolo Trophy when these to Mountain West rivals clash. The trophy gets its name from the Hawaiian word for cowboy and has been contested since 1978 when these two schools first met.

Kuter Trophy

Rival Team: Air Force Falcons

This trophy named after General Lawrence S. Kuter, who was the first head of the Pacific Air Forces Command, is awarded to the winner when Air Force plays Hawaii. These two teams only meet periodically, so you don’t want to miss it when these two rivals square off.

Rainbow Warriors Tailgate Guide

Atmosphere

Hawaii fans love to tailgate before football games and can be found filing into the parking lots around Aloha Stadium at 2:30 pm each Saturday throughout the fall. Tailgating is a sport in itself here as you’ll find a lot of people don’t even bother to go into the stadium to watch the game. The tailgating experience here is more about getting together for one big party rather than cheering on the football team.

The cuisine at Rainbow Warriors games has a Hawaiian feel meaning you’ll find slightly different fair here than you would throughout the Mountain West. The most popular foods at a Hawaii tailgate include barbecue chicken, steak, shish kebabs, and fish.

While food is a fairly important part of a tailgate, alcohol is what is the main draw of tailgating before a Hawaii game. Here you’ll find that students and fans party hard before entering the stadium. The main event around here isn’t the game, but rather the tailgating and the drinking games that take place there. There is a lot of drinking to be done, so make sure to take part in the beer bongs as well as the games of flip cup and beer pong.

Come prepared to party when attending a Hawaii tailgate, as there will be plenty to drink and plenty of friends to make.

Traditions

Warrior Walk

The team walk through the parking lot, which was started in 2012 by Rainbow Warriors head coach Norm Chow, provides fans an excellent opportunity to get up close to the players before they take the field.

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Swap Meet

The Swap Meet at Aloha Stadium takes place on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays and features over 700 merchants. If you’re looking for something to do before the game starts then stop by and check it out as you’ll never know what you’ll find.

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Aloha Shrubs

Outside of the front entrance to the stadium you’ll find a group of shrubs that say “Aloha” welcoming you to the stadium. Stop by and snap a picture so you can remember your trip to Hawaii and Aloha Stadium.

Where to tailgate

Rainbow Warriors Stadium Guide

In Game

The Hawaii Rainbow Warriors play their home games at Aloha Stadium, which is also home to the NFL Pro Bowl. When attending a Hawaii football game, you get the feeling that you’re taking in the game at a special venue since many of the greatest players in NFL history have played on this field.

The fans at Hawaii also make attending a game at Aloha Stadium a pleasant experience. The fans here are very friendly and relaxed meaning you won’t have to deal with taunts or people looking to pick fights like at some stadiums. The friendliness of the Hawaii games means it will be easy to make friends regardless of what team you support.

The relaxed atmosphere and historic venue of Aloha Stadium make attending a Hawaii game a treat that will really add something to your Hawaiian vacation.

Things to check out

Haka Dance

Before each game, the Hawaii players perform a Haka dance and do the Ha’a War Chant. This routine really pumps up players and fans alike getting everyone ready for the game.

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University of Hawaii Marching Band

The Hawaii marching band is comprised of 250 members and is the only college marching band in the state of Hawaii. They put on a mean pregame and halftime show, so come out and show your support for the best band in the state.

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Fight Songs

  1. Haka Dance

    Here’s to our dear Hawai‘i
    Here’s to our Green and White
    Here’s to our Alma Mater
    Here’s to the team with fight
    Rah! Rah! Rah!
    Here’s to old warriors calling
    Here’s to old battles won
    Here’s to Hawai‘i’s victory
    Here’s to each valiant one.
    (Repeat)

  2. Alma Mater

    In green Manoa Valley our Alma Mater stands
    Where mountain winds and showers refresh her fertile lands;
    The flag of freedom beckons above her shining walls,
    To larger truth and service our Alma Mater calls.

    Hawai‘i, we have gathered within thy wide-flung doors,
    As sons and daughters claiming her freely offered stores;
    Our loyal praise we tender, and pledge to hold thy aim,
    Till ocean’s far horizons shall hear thy honored name.

Rainbow Warriors Bars & Restaurants

  1. Chez Sports Bar & Grill

    Chez Sports Bar Grill

    It is a popular sporting venue featuring the live music of local talent, karaoke, special events and ono (delicious) food.

    98-150 Kaonohi St c226, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

    808-488-2439

    Bar website

    american - sportsbar - $$

  2. Whiskey Dix Saloon

    Whiskey Dix Saloon

    Whiskey Dix is an All-American Saloon that serves the best drinks and features the best in country music.

    99-16 Kamehameha Hwy, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

    808-485-2337

    Bar website

    american - $$

  3. Forty Niner Restaurant

    Forty Niner Restaurant burger fries

    Their food is so flavorful and tasty, you will be glad you came!

    98-110 Honomanu St, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

    808-484-1940

    Bar website

    american - $

  4. Rainbow Drive-In

    Rainbow Drive In

    This place offers great comfort food for the soul!

    3308 Kanaina Ave, Honolulu, HI 96815, USA

    737-0177

    Bar website

    american - $

  5. Young’s Kalbee

    Youngs Kalbee

    Young's Kalbee is a restaurant that serves amazingly delicious Korean food!

    99-084 Kauhale St # A2, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

    808-488-0251

    Bar website

    asian - $$

  6. Hughley’s Southern Cuisine

    Hughleys Southern Cuisine

    We are not just another burger place, we are proud to offer the highest quality food with fresh ingredients.

    C-12, 99-080 Kauhale St, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

    808-380-4200

    Bar website

    american - $$

  7. Stadium Giant Malts & Bar-B-Que

    Stadium Giant Malts Bar B Que

    Here they have food that's flavorful, affordable and served generously!

    4510 Salt Lake Blvd, Honolulu, HI 96818, USA

    808-487-6600

    Bar website

    bbq - $

  8. Aiea Bowl

    Aiea Bowl

    If you’re hungry and looking for ono food then stop by The Alley Restaurant, an award winning restaurant that’s located in Aiea Bowl.

    3, Aiea Shopping Center, 99-115 Aiea Heights Dr, Aiea, HI 96701, USA

    808-488-6854

    Bar website

    american - $