Former Rainbow Warrior Andy Archer Welcomes UH Alumni in Seattle with Savannah Bananas

For Andy Archer, the former University of Hawai‘i pitcher now throwing for the Savannah Bananas, one night in Seattle was unlike anything he had experienced in baseball. The Bananas’ stop in the Pacific Northwest wasn’t just another game on their Banana Ball tour — it turned into a homecoming of sorts, as dozens of UH alumni and Hawai‘i supporters were in the stands to cheer him on.

Archer said the weekend instantly became his favorite moment as a Banana, calling it “probably my favorite weekend ever.” For the past two years, he had felt the love from Hawai‘i at a distance, but to see that support show up in person was overwhelming.

The night before the game, a special pau hana alumni gathering set the tone for the weekend. Archer was asked to share a few words, and though unprepared, he called the experience deeply moving — a reminder of the powerful connection he still shares with his alma mater.

Photo courtesy of UH Alumni

Game day brought another unforgettable moment. Archer had brainstormed a handful of ideas for a big entrance — a graduation lei ceremony, a John John Florence-style championship celebration, even a Polynesian drumline — and sent them off, unsure which one would stick. Then came the text: You’re going to tarp surf.

Practice was anything but smooth. Standing six-foot-five in cleats on a tiny, motorized skateboard, Archer struggled to balance as teammates pulled the tarp. Dozens of attempts never lined up perfectly. “There wasn’t a single moment in rehearsal that felt right,” he laughed. But on game day, everything clicked. His teammate gave the perfect pull, Archer rode through a flawless “barrel,” and the skit ended with teammates draping him in lei right in front of the UH alumni. “It couldn’t have gone better,” he said. “And it was the first time we’d actually done it right.”

Later that night, after pitching, Archer walked off the mound and straight into the stands, weaving through the section where Hawai‘i fans and alumni were gathered. He mingled with the crowd, signed autographs, and posed for photos, only rushing back at the last moment to make it in time for the team’s finale dance.

The night was made even more emotional by the presence of his hānai family, who saw him pitch in person for the first time in a Savannah Banana uniform. “It was such a special moment,” Archer said. “They’ve been one of the greatest influences in my life, and I was so pumped to share that with them.”

As he looked back on the weekend, Archer’s gratitude was clear. More than the stunts, the pitching, or even the win itself, it was the connection to the Hawai‘i community that made it unforgettable. “It was a reminder of how strong the Hawai‘i ohana is, no matter where you are,” he said. “That night will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Photos courtesy of UH Alumni