Hawaii athletics facilities: Long-awaited track rolled out

For years in college track and field circles, the University of Hawaii was known for its signature rainbow-themed track.

More recently, it was also known for the condition of said track. The rainbow had faded, literally and figuratively.

The university recently completed a $2.05 million overhaul of its aging 17-year-old quarter-mile surface at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. It had been long overdue; most well-maintained tracks are replaced every eight to 10 years. The Rainbow Wahine had learned to avoid using the rainbow track extensively because of the injury risk posed by its worn-down cushioning.

“We’ve been hosting (sunrise meets for UH athletes mixed with other club and local standouts), but we’ve had to avoid using certain lanes at times,” UH track coach Tim Boyce said in a recent interview fronting the new track on a rainy day. “That type of thing, to make sure everybody was 100 percent safe. Now we have no issues at offering this facility as a great place to compete.”

UH started construction in May and unveiled its brand-new track on Sept. 23. The track and field team began using the green-and-silver-colored surface immediately.

“That was a day we really looked forward to for a long time,” Boyce said.

Boyce, a six-year coach at UH (assistant then head) has a vision of it being a marquee venue for Division I schools during the spring break window, as well as HHSAA track championships, and maybe even — eventually — the Big West championships, which has been on regular rotation at the California member schools, but not out here.

“It is, now, one of the top tracks in the state,” he said.

In contrast to the old Mondo-brand track, which was not easily replaced, future resurfacing of the top layer of the new track can be done much more readily to extend its lifespan, he said.

His other hope is that it proves a boon in recruiting battles.

“Absolutely. Today’s social media age, the pictures of the new facility as it’s been under construction have been viewed thousands of times,” he said. “All of those types of things give you more exposure. It just shows the commitment that we have to track and field at the University of Hawaii.”

The Star-Advertiser’s Ferd Lewis wrote about the track and upcoming facilities improvements back in the summer. The improvements are being funded by UH’s $26.1 million in appropriations from the state Legislature the last few years, per Lewis.

UH athletic director David Matlin messaged Hawaii Warrior World that the resurfacing and net replacements of UH’s 12 tennis courts is likely the next facilities upgrade to be completed.

Here’s the old track from the spring.