Bachman Lawn at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa turned into a reggae-fueled block party Friday afternoon, as the Homecoming Concert and Makers Market ran from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with live sets from Natural Vibrations and Rebel Souljahz, alumni-owned food vendors, and a surprise visit from two WWE stars. The free outdoor gathering at John Henry Wise Field served as the centerpiece of UH Mānoa's homecoming week, inviting families and alumni to campus for a celebration built around island music, local business and school pride.
According to the University of Hawaii System, the event was sponsored jointly by the Office of the Chancellor, UH Alumni, Athletics and the Mānoa campus, and it offered more than just music — attendees could connect with academic departments, learn about degree programs, and browse activities for all ages alongside the alumni-owned food and creative market vendors. The week's expanded programming traces back to new leadership: Vassilis L. Syrmos became chancellor of UH Mānoa on July 1 after more than 35 years at the university as a professor, researcher and executive leader, including stints as UH System vice president for research and innovation and interim provost, per University of Hawaii System News.
The concert's lineup grew well beyond its initial billing. Student-run radio station KTUH opened the show, with guest artists ChristianLive and Osnizzle also taking the stage, and Hawaii News Now's Kainoa Carlson serving as emcee, the university reported. WWE stars Nia Jax and Jacob Fatu made special appearances as well, and organizers encouraged attendees to show up in retro aloha attire or vintage UH gear for what was billed as “Throwback Aloha Friday.”
Sports Honorees Bridge the Lawn and the Arena
Inductees of the 41st UH Sports Circle of Honor class made a special appearance at the makers market ahead of their formal enshrinement later that evening at the Green & White Celebration, held at Bankoh Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center.
This year's Circle of Honor class includes former NFL defensive back Rich Miano, Olympian water polo player Monika Eggens, swimming pioneer Barbara Mitchell Anderson, two-time national volleyball player of the year Costas Theocharidis, and longtime football booster Ben Yee. The honor society was established in 1982 and includes 138 individual and 13 team inductees.
The Homecoming Market's Campus Setting
The field hosting Friday's market is John Henry Wise Field, also known as Bachman Lawn.
Free Parking Set the Stage for a Weekend of Festivities
To help visitors reach the lawn, the university opened free parking in the campus Zone 20 Parking Structure starting at 2:30 p.m. Friday, with the structure serving as the primary lot for lower campus and athletic venues. The concert functions as the lead-in to Saturday's homecoming football game at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, where the Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors host Mountain West rival New Mexico, according to University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Athletics.
Game day brings even more free programming. A “Rooftop Pāʻina” opens three hours before kickoff, at 1:30 p.m., on the fifth floor of the Zone 20 Parking Structure, featuring live entertainment, local vendors and a beer garden. Together, the concert, the Sports Circle of Honor banquet and Saturday's tailgate round out a weeklong push to pull alumni, students and the broader Honolulu community back onto campus. Readers with questions about chancellor-sponsored events can reach organizers at 808-956-0729 or [email protected].
