Na Koa Website

HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i football fans opened their hearts and wallets on Wednesday, April 18, giving more than $65,000 to Na Koa Football Club during an unprecedented telethon that was simulcast by two television stations across the state.

The Hawai'i News Now sports team of Chris Tanaka and Mike Cherry, along with “Sunrise” co-anchor Steve Uyehara hosted the telethon shown on both KFVE and OC Sports Channel 12. While much of the broadcast was devoted to conversation with Coach Norm Chow, his staff and some returning players, former Rainbow and Warrior players answered hundreds of calls offering pledges from across the islands.

Na Koa also received two donations of $5,000 each from the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl/Hawaii Bowl Foundation and engineering firm R.M. Towill. Russell Figueiroa of R.M. Towill, who has been a Na Koa Ali'i-level member since 1989, urged the people of Hawai'i to give to Na Koa, the organization dedicated to supporting academic and athletic excellence for the Warrior football program. The other in-studio check presentation came from Michael Troy and Darryl Garvin of the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl/Hawaii Bowl Foundation.

Those who weren't able to donate during the telethon will have another chance in the coming days when 2012 UH football season ticket renewal packets are mailed. With the renewals, fans can make a tax-deductible donation to Na Koa and the Warrior football program. Additionally, at the Warriors' Spring Fling on Friday, April 27, Na Koa will have a special area for its members to meet Chow and assistant coaches Thom Kaumeyer and Tommy Lee. The scrimmage will be held on the Clarence T.C. Ching Field on the UH-Manoa campus.

 “The swell of support for Na Koa and the Warrior Football program this spring has been extraordinary, and we are grateful to the public for answering our calls to provide for our Warriors,” Kimberly Fujiuchi, executive director, Na Koa Football Club. “We have been able to hold numerous events to raise the funds necessary for Coach Chow and his team to have a successful program in this milestone year.”  For more information, call the Na Koa Football Club at (808) 956-4513, or log onto www.nakoa.org.