The University of Hawai‘i has a rich and storied tradition that dates back more than a century. In 2009, UH Athletics celebrated its 100th Anniversary of its first football team.
The Rainbow
Before 1923, UH teams were nicknamed the “Deans.” Then in the final game of the 1923 season, UH head coach Otto Klum’s squad upset Oregon State, 7-0, at Mo‘ili‘ili Field. During the game, a rainbow appeared over the field. Reporters started calling UH teams the Rainbows, and the tradition began that Hawai‘i would not lose a game if a rainbow appeared.
Rainbows, however, had magical powers long before football came to the islands. Hawaiian chiefs considered them sacred and used them as signs of a chief’s presence. A rainbow hovering over a newborn child indicated that he was of a god-like rank.
The rainbow was part of the official logo (pictured) at the UH Athletics Department from 1982-2000.
The Warrior
The Warrior holds an honored place in Hawaiian history for it was the warrior who united the Hawaiian Islands under Kamehameha the Great. The Hawaiians expected the warrior to display great strength, skill and a fighting spirit.
Although it wasn’t until 1974 that the UH football team adopted the nickname “Rainbow Warriors,” the university’s use of the name goes back a number of years.
One reason for using the nickname is the tremendous amount of support of the UH scholarship fund-raising organization, ‘Ahahui Koa Anuenue-the Order of the Rainbow Warrior. Since its inception in 1966, this organization has provided a tremendous amount of support to Hawai‘i’s student-athletes.
The Wahine
In 1972, Dr. Donnis Thompson, a professor in the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, with the assistance of the men’s Athletics Department, created the first women’s athletics program. The men’s program was known as the “Rainbows” and so Dr. Thompson called the women’s athletics program the “Rainbow Wahine.”
The Hawaiian word “wahine” is translated in English as woman and the pluralized word “wahine” (with the macron over the “a”), means women, hence the name Rainbow Wahine. She also created a new logo based on the Rainbow in a rounded version and added the name “wahine.” Dr. Thompson became the first women’s athletics director and served until 1981.
The Seal
The original university seal, adopted in 1921 by the Board of Regents and amended in 1946, contains a torch and book titled Malamalama (The Light of Knowledge) surrounded by the state motto, Ua mau ke ea o ka‘aina i ka pono (the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness).
In 2006, the seal was updated to modernize it in a manner that reflects its history, spirit and global perspective while providing a readable version for modern print, electronic and product applications.
The university motto, inscribed in both the Hawaiian and English languages on Founders’ Gate at the entrance to the Manoa Campus on University Avenue, is Maluna a‘e o na lahui o pau ke ola ke kanaka (above all nations is humanity).
The Colors
Green and white became the school’s colors when a group of faculty wives were deciding on decoration and color schemes for the school’s social calendar. At the time, materials took weeks to be shipped to the islands, making materials of many colors scarce.
The wives reasoned that basic white would always be available and green decorations could constantly be provided by Hawai‘i’s lush growth of tropical plants.
As it turns out, green is the color of Lono, the ancient Hawaiian god of agriculture. In addition, the use of green represents not only the richness of Manoa, but also spiritual prosperity and success. The UH Manoa campus itself is located in the heart of the rich and fertile Manoa valley. Green is also the color of the ti leaf, a symbol of good omen, and emblem of divine power.
White, meanwhile, was associated with Hawaiian royalty and is symbolized with the best and the finest.
With the creation of the new athletic logo in 2000, the Athletics Department incorporated black and silver into its color scheme.
For many cultures in Hawai‘i, black is a color that is respected. For Hawaiians, it takes them back to the kumulipo, the chant of creation, referring to the symbolism “from out of the darkness.” The hidden meaning of which states that there is a new birth, or one cleanses to start anew.
Silver comes from the shimmering reflection of rainfall as it creates a blanket of mist over Manoa valley and a symbol of hope and victory, ultimately forming a bow or arc of prismatic color, the rainbow that is frequently seen over Manoa valley.
The New Logo
The UH Athletics Department unveiled a new logo in 2000. The theme of the new logo and identity is pupukahi i holomua, translated into English as, “unite and move forward as one.”
Although the “H” outwardly represents Hawai‘i, it also carries the significance of the Hawaiian expression and meaning of “ha.” In Hawaiian culture “ha” means the breath - the spirit of life passed on to us from one person to another, generation to generation, with its lessons and success.
Although the patterns on the logo are inspired by the renaissance of the use of Hawaiian kapa designs, they are decorative. They represent the characteristics of the different people who have come together to obtain knowledge, success and efficient skills.
The triangles are universally symbolic. The three points represent the balance of the individual: the body, mind and spirit. Ancient Hawaiians believed that each entity with these values could not stand strong without the other two. This is the significance to the specific three triangles within the “H.”
FIGHT SONG: “Co-ed”
Here’s to our dear Hawai‘i
Here’s to our Green and White
Here’s to our Alma Mater
Here’s to the team with fight
Rah! Rah! Rah!
Here’s to old warriors calling
Here’s to old battles won
Here’s to Hawai‘i’s victory
Here’s to each valiant one.
ALMA MATER
In green Manoa Valley our Alma Mater stands
Where mountain winds and showers refresh her fertile lands;
The flag of freedom beckons above her shining walls,
To larger truth and service our Alma Mater calls.
Hawai‘i, we have gathered within thy wide-flung doors,
As sons and daughters claiming her freely offered stores;
Our loyal praise we tender, and pledge to hold thy aim,
Till ocean’s far horizons shall hear thy honored name.
