The University of Hawai'i's football team is resolutely setting its sights on the upcoming 2025 season, with practices having started under the glaring midday sun. The team is determined to acclimate to the tropical temperatures they'll face in their early games, particularly the season opener against Stanford at a scorching 1:30 p.m. on August 23. According to Spectrum Local News, Coach Timmy Chang orchestrated the first practice to take place at the hottest time of day intentionally, to "make sure that we give our guys the best opportunity to face what they're going to see and put them in the elements."
Despite last season's less-than-stellar 5-7 record, the Rainbow Warriors are looking to turn up the dial, with Coach Chang emphasizing the need to "keep that energy through the weeks as it goes." Such sentiments were echoed by Chang in an interview with Hawaii Athletics, where he remarked, "We tell the guys it's not a sprint, it's a marathon."
With leadership figures like Safety Peter Manuma returning, spirits among the players are high. Manuma, a returning defensive captain, has hailed the intense practice sessions as both a “great idea, but a bad idea at the same time,” in a statement obtained by Spectrum Local News. Balancing fatherhood with football, Manuma praised his wife's efforts at home, while signaling his commitment to the team's success. Also high on Chang's agenda is making the most out of the Name, Image, and Likeness era, with UH managing to retain key players such as preseason All-Mountain West slotbacks Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle.
According to Chang, there is a strong sense of optimism about the team's prospects, largely fueled by an "offseason of team bonding and players-only drills." The role of new strength and conditioning coach Bobby Thomas cannot be understated either, having instilled a focus on starting strong and finishing games with equal fervor. As quarterback Micah Alejado put it in an interview with Spectrum Local News, they're trying "to see what kind of team we can become if we play a strong four quarters." Alejado, stepping into his leadership role more confidently, looks to build on his impressive 469-yard, five-touchdown outing against New Mexico in last year's finale.
The Rainbow Warriors have retained most of their coaching staff from last season, with Chad Kapanui joining as the new quarterbacks coach. Kapanui brings experience working with quarterback Alejado and familiarity with the run-and-shoot offense. New players include former state offensive players of the year Kainoa "Kaikai" Carvalho and Titan Lacaden. Practices remain closed to the public as the team prepares for its first scrimmage on Saturday.
