University of Hawaiʻi alumni gathered at three locations across the United States to tailgate before UH Mānoa Warrior Football games during the early fall 2010 season.

Alumni enjoyed fun, food and each other’s company before cheering their alma mater in gridiron contests with the U.S. Military Academy on Sept. 11, University of Colorado, Boulder, on Sept. 18 and California State, Fresno, on Oct. 9.

Winning at West Point

UHAA President Douglas Inouye with UHAA-East chapter President Karen Liu

On Sept. 11, 2010, nearly 350 warrior fans pre-gamed at Ike’s Riverside Cafe at Eisenhower Hall on the West Point campus in New York.

Andy Wang and Manuwai Peters entertained the lively fans, who heard from UH Alumni Association President Douglas Inouye and UH Athletics director Jim Donovan.

The famous Gecko was on hand representing event co-sponsor GEICO. The day culminated with the Warriors’ 31–28 victory over Army.

Special thanks to UHAA-East President Karen Liu and her husband David and to all the chapter volunteers who made the event possible.

Cold in Colorado

From left, Tim Stack, Tom Simmons, Jason Adams

The following week, 325 Road Warriors rallied in the Rockies before the Warriors took on the University of Colorado Buffaloes on Sept. 18.

Keoni Coelho of the Hawaiian-Way Ohana Group entertained alumni and friends at the Millennium Harvest House Pavilion in Boulder, Colo. Inouye, Donovan and UH Mānoa Chancellor Virginia Hinshaw were on hand to greet the audience and build excitement for the game.

It was a cold day and warm clothes were in demand, so much so that Rainbowtique ran out and had to restock! The Warriors led the first half, but the Buffaloes made a comeback to win the game 31–13. Mahalo to UHAA-Colorado President Lauri Harrison, who helped organize the event; co-sponsor GEICO; and chapter volunteers Tom Simmons, Jason Adams and Tim Stack.

Fresno State fun

UH Mānoa Athletics Director of Annual Giving Alvin Katahara, second from left, with San Francisco Bay Area chapter members, from left, Daryl Higashi, Reid Yamamoto and Gerry Somers

The Road Warriors gathered again on Oct. 9 at Beiden Baseball Diamond near California State University, Fresno, for pre-game festivities. About 500 people attended the 12th annual California tailgate, driving from Washington, Oregon and Nevada as well as Northern and Southern California.

The UH cheerleaders rallied the crowd before the Warriors bested the Bulldogs 49–27 in front of a sold-out crowd that included an estimated 1,300-plus Hawaiʻi fans.

UH Athletics Director Jim Donovan presented UHAA’s 2010 Chapter of the Year Award to chapter representatives Daryl Higashi ’74, Gerry Somers ’92 and Reid Yamamoto of the the UHAA–San Francisco Bay Area chapter, which coordinated the event along with the Hawaiʻi Chamber of Commerce of Northern California, Rainbowtique and UHAA.

Local-kine food was provided by L&L Barbeque–Tracy owners Frankie and Diana Lorico. Raffle prizes were provided by Hawaiian Airlines, Rainbowtique, Hukilau restaurants.

Special thanks to 20 California State University Maritime Academy Hawaiʻi Club students who helped with event setup and staffing.

Tags: alumni, athletics, football, UH Alumni Association, UH Manoa, Vol. 35 No.2, Warriors