Todd Graham takes part in Hawaii football tradition

The Warriors departed today for the season opener against Fresno State, but not before head coach Todd Graham was presented with a symbolic koa lei.

Hawaii island craftsman JefF Gomes completed the lei on Wednesday, then sent it by express delivery to Na Koa’s clubhouse. Jenn Smythe tracked the shipment, and went it finally arrived, she raced to present it to a grateful Graham.

The idea of a coach’s koa lei was spawned a couple years when a group of fans, led by Kekoa Furtado, wanted to start a tradition connecting koa — a metaphor for “warrior” in Hawaiian culture — with the UH football program. Several fans then commissioned a Brook Parker painting depicting Polynesian warriors. The group also paid for the koa board handing in the UH locker room that the Warriors touch for inspirations before every practice.

It was at the presentation ceremony for the painting and board when a donor’s koa lei drew attention. It then was agreed to use donations to create a koa lei for Nick Rolovich.

Following Rolovich’s departure, it was decided to keep the tradition going. The project was put on hold when it appeared there would not be a season this year. But when plans for the Warriors’ eight-game season materialized, the lei project resumed.Jerry Boster and Tim Bowden were instrumental organizers. Here are some of the financial contributors to the lei:

> Tim Bowden

> Jerry Boster

> Randy Hiraki

> Gilbert Horita

> Garett Ichimura

> Liz Hahn

> Keith Kuniyasu

> Jonathan Roop

> Dennis Wong

> Rich Darvey

> Jaime Go

> Tino Tumpap

> Joanne Mor

> Keith Takeda

* * * * *

Following this morning’s workout, the Warriors departed on a non-stop Hawaiian Airlines flight to Sacramento. The UH travel party were the only non-airline passengers on the flight. The Warriors then were set to make the bus ride to Fresno.