Waikiki Beach Paddle Out to Honor Late University of Hawai'i Football Legend
 
HONOLULU – The Brennan family would like to invite friends, family and University of Hawai'i (UH) football fans to join them in celebrating the life of former UH quarterback Colt Brennan, who passed away last May. A brief ceremony will be held on Waikiki Beach in front of Duke's Restaurant on Sunday, March 20 starting at 8 a.m. The event will immediately be followed by a paddle out ceremony, where family will spread Brennan's ashes.
 
"We were really overwhelmed by the love and support we received from everyone in Hawai'i when Colt passed away, and it's only appropriate that we celebrate him in a place that he truly loved and considered home," said Colt's father Terry Brennan. "We're so grateful to everyone in Hawai'i and are glad we can finally lay Colt to rest among those that really loved and embraced him."
 
The brief, 30-minute, pre-paddle out ceremony will include greetings by Kimo Kahoano, eulogies by former UH Coach June Jones, UH Coach Timmy Chang and a family member, a Hawaiian blessing by Kahu Kordell Kekoa. Following the ceremony, attendees may bring and paddle out in canoe, kayaks, surfboards, longboards, boogie boards, etc., straight out from Duke's Restaurant at the Outrigger Waikiki Beach, where a brief blessing will be held on the beach, before spreading Brennan's ashes in the ocean.
 
The beach ceremony can be accessed from either direction of the Waikiki Beach shoreline or via the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort on Kalākaua Ave. Parking will not be provided for the ceremony.
 
For those unable to attend but would like to give back in honor Colt Brennan, donations may be made toward The Colt Brennan Legacy Fund of the Hawai'i Community Foundation at hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/colt-fund. Money raised will support causes that Colt cared about, including UH Athletics and youth sports. It will also benefit organizations that advocate and provide resources toward making a difference in the lives of individuals struggling with mental health and addiction issues.
 
In addition, Barefoot League and HiLife have also collaborated to design a Colt Brennan Tribute shirt, available for $30 online at hilifeclothing.com. All proceeds from t-shirt sales benefit The Colt Brennan Legacy Fund.
 
"We're extremely grateful to all everyone who has helped make this paddle out event possible including DLNR's Division of Boarding and Ocean Recreation, the Hawai'i Film Office, Kepoikai II Catamaran, Aloha Beach Services, among many others. We look forward to celebrating Colt's life with everyone in Hawai'i," added Brennan.
 
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About Colt Brennan
Raised in California, Colt Brennan joined the University of Hawai'i in 2005 and became one of the school's most celebrated football players. Brennan received multiple awards and honors for breaking college career records and leading the UH Rainbow Warriors to victories during his three-seasons at UH, including an undefeated season, Sugar Bowl bid and Heisman Trophy nomination in 2007. He was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2008 and returned to Hawai'i after his brief NLF career and volunteered as a coach for various youth football teams. Brennan passed away in May 2021 in California alongside his family.