Warrior Beat

Waikiki’s most popular attraction this morning was more than 80 UH football players running, jumping and pirouetting on Hawaii’s most famous beach. The 90-minute workout drew tourists, aluminum-can scavengers, and the curious. Mark Tuinei’s widow watched. So, too, did a guy who asked: “Who are those guys?” When told they were the Rainbow Warriors, he smiled, and yelled encouragement. He was wearing an “H” cap and T-shirt. And this is how the Warriors spent the early part of a state […]

Oh, Canada. In the Canadian Football League, there are 12 players on each side, the field is longer and wider than American football’s field, and defense is spelled “defence.” But the CFL, which opened the exhibition schedule this week, is employers to these former Warriors: > Solomon Elimimian, linebacker, B.C. Lions > Paipai Falemalu, defensive lineman, Toronto Argonauts > John Hardy-Tuliau,  defensive back, B.C. Lions > Bryant Moniz, quarterback, Calgary Stampeders > Chad Owens, slotback/returner, Toronto Argonauts * * * […]

Ed Ta‘amu is not expected to return to the Rainbow Warriors as an offensive intern. It is a family-based decision. Ta‘amu’s fiancee and his young son live in California. Ta‘amu assisted offensive line coach Chris Naeole the past year, helping prepare scouting reports and tutoring players. This past May, Ta‘amu, who was certified to recruit, and Naeole visited American Samoa. Tafuna High offensive lineman Eperone Moananu made an oral commitment to UH during that recruiting trip. Ta‘amu is a 1997 […]

Hey, it’s vacation time. The blog will reopen on Monday, June 9. Thanks again for the participation, comments and lurking during this offseason. See ya soon. — Stephen  

The first in a series of 2014 Rainbow Warrior football camps begins this Wednesday’s with the Big Man’s Camp on the UH-Manoa campus. Here’s the schedule: > Big Man’s Camp on UH-Manoa campus • When: Wednesday, June 4 • For: Grades 9-12 • Schedule: Registration at 9 a.m., instruction from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (lunch provided) • Cost: $20 * * * * * > Maui High School • When: Tuesday, June 10 • For: Grades 9-12 • Schedule: Registration at 9 a.m., instruction from 10 […]

All signs point to Luke Matthews being promoted from graduate assistant in charge of receivers to full-time coach. When that happens, here’s what it means: > Continuity: With three newcomers to the full-time staff — defensive coordinator Kevin Clune, linebacker coach Kurt Gouveia and running back coach Wayne Moses —  Matthews offers a measure of stability. He knows the system and the players; the players know him. Matthews, quarterback coach Jordan Wynn and receiver Quinton Pedroza were teammates at Utah. […]

There will be kind of a hush as the football recruiting as football recruiting enters the quiet period tomorrow. For 46 days through today, FBS teams were allowed to assess a prospect’s playing ability at his high school or place where he is competing. During that “evaluation period” coaches were not allowed off-campus, in-person contact with the player and his legal guardians. This “quiet period,” which runs through July 31, coaches are permitted to have in-person contact with a prospect […]

In these search-the-couch-for-loose-change times, the Rainbow Warriors will reside in the school’s dance studios for the 19 days of training camp this August. By staying in the studios, the Warriors will save up to $41,300 in housing costs. It will cost $10,000 to rent 110 cots for the studios, which are located on the second floor of the athletic complex. Bathrooms and showers are available in the team’s locker room on the ground floor. In comparison, it would have cost […]