Approximately 1,200 young haumāna (students) from elementary schools throughout Oʻahu visited the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa campus on November 21, to learn more about college life and even got to witness front and center a UH Mānoa Rainbow Wahine basketball game.
The visit began at 8:30 a.m., at Andrews Amphitheater where the keiki were introduced to campus and split into groups for morning tours. UH Mānoa student guides led groups through classrooms, labs and notable campus spots, introducing the haumāna to academic programs and campus life while mixing in fun facts that kept the tours engaging.
Then at 11 a.m., the keiki headed to Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center to cheer on the Rainbow Wahine in the opening game of the Bank of Hawaiʻi Classic against Loyola Marymount. They brought a ton of energy to help propel the Rainbow Wahine to a 55-51 victory.
“Our students, for some of them, this is their first time at the Stan Sheriff or even just kind of touring the campus—just being exposed to what’s across the street from us,” said Preston Pires, Mid-Pacific Institute elementary PE teacher. “A lot of our students, they like following University of Hawaiʻi athletics, and they kind of get to see their idols in action.”
Mid-Pacific Institute 5th grade student Nahe Amimoto expressed his excitement for exploring the UH Mānoa campus, from the facilities to the arena.
“I think it’d be a really nice school to go to,” said Amimoto.
“It helps the campus, it helps athletics and it helps women’s basketball,” said UH Mānoa Athletics Director of Marketing and Fan Experience Eric Mathews, also known as “Captain Fun.” “It does so many positive things when you have this age group and kids here seeing campus for the first time, maybe seeing a game for the first time. They’re getting so many cool experiences.”
Prior to the game, all keiki were given swag bags with gifts courtesy of Bank of Hawaiʻi, Raising Cane’s, Coke and Sodexo. The haumāna were from Kūhīo, Hōkūlani, Mōkapu, Ala Wai, Lincoln, Hoʻokele, Hahaʻione, Queen Kaʻahumanu, and Lunalilo Elementary Schools, and from neighboring Mid-Pacific Institute.
This opportunity was made possible by a collaboration of multiple units across the UH Mānoa campus, including the athletics department, admissions office, campus operations and facilities, President’s office and more.
