More highlights from Hoopfest
Haka, hilarity and hoops made for a winning combination at the ‘Ohana Hoopfest on Oct. 15.
The Hawaii basketball team was introduced to a crowd of around 4,000 fans at the Stan Sheriff Center on Oct. 15 – the first official date of full practices for NCAA basketball teams.
“Eventful,” is how sophomore forward Joston Thomas described the night. “We got out here did a cultural dance and enthused the crowd. The kids got excited … we did our job.”
The Warriors performed a Tahitian haka for the crowd, and the UH coaches followed with their own version.
There were also performances by the Rainbow Dancers, UH cheerleaders and pep band, Hypersquad Dance Co., and the UH women’s basketball team.
The UH men’s and women’s teams also played exhibition basketball with local celebrities, including the comedy team “Da Braddahs,” surfing champion Sunny Garcia, UH chancellor Virginia Hinshaw, and former NFL receiver Ashley Lelie.
“The crowd was great, and I thought everybody had a good time,” head coach Gib Arnold said. “We set it up to be a fun night, not just for the fans, but for the players as well, and it certainly was a lot of fun.”
