Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

Hawai’i head coach Timmy Chang looks on during a home game. The fourth-year head coach has the Rainbow Warriors one game away from a postseason return. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Hawai‘i Football Spring Roster 2026

HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 3, 2026

The University of Hawai‘i has released its 2026 Spring Football roster, offering an early look at the personnel that will shape the Rainbow Warriors heading into spring practices. The roster features a blend of returning veterans, emerging underclassmen, and new faces across every position group, with a strong local presence from O‘ahu and the neighbor islands complemented by experienced transfers from the continent.

With spring camp focused on development, evaluation, and competition, the position-by-position breakdown provides a snapshot of depth, versatility, and roster makeup as Hawai‘i begins preparations for the upcoming season.

Hawai‘i Sports Radio Network will provide continued coverage throughout spring practices, highlighting key position groups, player storylines, and developments as the Rainbow Warriors move closer to kickoff.

Hawai’i football-commit Maika Eugenio fires a pass against Kahuku in Bishop Gorman’s 38-0 win over the Red Raiders. | Photo: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Quarterbacks (QB)

  • 10 – Bjorn Jurgensen | 6-3, 200 | Fr. | Orlando, Fla. / Bishop Moore Catholic | Virginia

  • 12 – Micah Alejado | 5-10, 180 | So. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS

  • 14 – Maika Eugenio | 6-0, 180 | Fr. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS

Running Backs (RB)

  • 0 – Cam Barfield | 5-7, 190 | Sr. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS | Boston College

  • 1 – DeVon Rice | 5-9, 175 | So. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS | Kansas State

  • 22 – Titan Lacaden | 5-6, 170 | Rf. | Kapolei, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 26 – Sitani Mikaele | 5-11, 235 | So. | Waiahole, O‘ahu / Farrington HS

  • 28 – TJ Fo‘ilefutu | 6-0, 235 | Fr. | Peoria, Ariz. / Liberty HS

  • 31 – Tryton Keli‘ikipi | 5-8, 185 | So. | Wai‘anae, O‘ahu / Kapolei HS

Wide Receivers (WR)

  • 2 – Audric Harris | 6-1, 190 | Jr. | Bellflower, Calif. / Bishop Gorman HS | Washington

  • 3 – Carson Brown | 6-1, 195 | Sr. | Ankeny, Iowa / Dowling Catholic | Iowa State

  • 4 – Jarvis “Dino” Heimuli | 6-3, 195 | So. | Fort Worth, Texas / Euless Trinity HS

  • 5 – Pofele Ashlock | 6-2, 180 | Sr. | Euless, Texas / Trinity HS

  • 6 – Kainoa “Kaikai” Carvalho | 5-6, 165 | Rf. | La‘ie, O‘ahu / Kahuku HS

  • 7 – Tre’ Griffiths | 6-3, 205 | So. | Keller, Texas / Keller HS | Oklahoma State

  • 8 – Tama Uiliata | 5-11, 190 | So. | Waipahu, O‘ahu / Waipahu HS

  • 11 – Devin Alves | 6-3, 195 | Sr. | Melbourne, Fla. / Melbourne Senior HS | Virginia Tech

  • 13 – Koa Eldredge | 6-0, 195 | Sr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Punahou School | BYU

  • 17 – Nick Delgadillo | 6-0, 185 | Jr. | Wai‘anae, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 18 – Blaze Kamoku | 5-6, 170 | Sr. | Kapolei, O‘ahu / Kamehameha Schools | Olivet Nazarene

  • 19 – Diezel Kamoku | 5-9, 200 | So. | Kapolei, O‘ahu / Kahuku HS | Utah

  • 80 – Robert Haynes | 6-2, 170 | Fr. | Missouri City, Texas / Ridge Point HS

  • 83 – Josiah Fetui | 6-3, 180 | So. | ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 84 – Dillon Booth | 5-9, 175 | Fr. | Irvine, Calif. / Crean Lutheran HS

  • 86 – Brandon Gaea | 6-0, 190 | Fr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Bishop Gorman HS

Tight Ends (TE)

  • 9 – Devon Tauaefa | 6-5, 220 | Sr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 45 – Micah Kaonohi-Kaihenui | 5-11, 255 | Sr. | Waimanalo, O‘ahu / Kamehameha Schools–Kapālama

  • 46 – Matthew Bailiff | 6-1, 235 | Jr. | Kaysville, Utah / Layton Christian Academy

  • 81 – Frank Abreu | 6-4, 235 | Rf. | Kula, Maui / Kamehameha Schools–Maui

  • 85 – Oakie Salave‘a | 6-2, 240 | Sr. | Leone Ili‘ili, American Samoa / Tafuna HS | Colorado

  • 88 – Anthony Hickman | 6-3, 235 | So. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS | Concordia St. Paul

Offensive Line (OL)

  • 50 – Tu‘i Muti | 6-1, 320 | So. | La‘ie, O‘ahu / Punahou School

  • 51 – Eric McFall | 6-4, 320 | So. | Neiafu, Savai‘i, Samoa / Leone HS | NMMI

  • 52 – Dean Briski | 6-5, 305 | Sr. | Pago Pago, American Samoa / Samoana HS

  • 53 – Kawika “KJ” Hallums | 6-2, 295 | Fr. | ‘Aiea, O‘ahu / Bishop Gorman HS

  • 54 – Jordan Kernaghan | 6-3, 290 | Rf. | ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu / Campbell HS

  • 55 – Jay Tauala-Harris | 6-3, 285 | So. | Long Beach, Calif. / Lakewood HS

  • 56 – Boogie Henderson | 6-4, 310 | So. | Los Angeles, Calif. / Junipero Serra HS

  • 57 – Ethan Spencer | 6-2, 300 | Sr. | Kailua, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 58 – Denaris DeRosa Jr. | 6-3, 295 | Sr. | Redwood City, Calif. / St. Francis HS | San Jose State

  • 60 – Ezekiel Salanoa | 5-11, 300 | Rf. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 62 – Lautaimi Manuma | 6-3, 290 | So. | ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu / Campbell HS

  • 72 – Josh Tavui | 6-2, 300 | Rf. | ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu / Campbell HS

  • 73 – Lipe Moala | 6-6, 350 | Jr. | Riverside, Calif. / Mater Dei HS | Oregon

  • 75 – Khalil Walker | 6-5, 315 | Jr. | Canton, Ohio / Pickerington HS | South Florida

  • 77 – Uluaki Taukiuvea | 6-5, 315 | Rf. | West Valley City, Utah / Hunter HS

  • 79 – Judah Kaio | 6-3, 305 | Sr. | Kane‘ohe, O‘ahu / Kahuku HS | Pacific (Ore.)

Defensive Line (DL)

  • 9 – Adam Tomczyk | 6-3, 260 | Sr. | Long Beach, Calif. / Los Alamitos HS | West Virginia

  • 10 – Ka‘eo Akana | 6-3, 245 | Sr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Roosevelt HS | Utah

  • 20 – Noah Wily | 6-3, 235 | So. | La‘ie, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 26 – Nazaiah Caravallo | 6-2, 235 | So. | ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu / Campbell HS

  • 33 – Falelua Moalele | 6-5, 260 | Rf. | Tafuna, American Samoa / Liberty HS

  • 51 – Lesterlaisene Lagafuaina | 6-4, 240 | Jr. | Nu‘uuli, American Samoa / Tafuna HS

  • 52 – Luther McCoy | 6-5, 270 | Gr. Proof | St. John’s, Fla. / Creekside HS | Minnesota

  • 55 – Zoram Petelo | 6-4, 270 | So. | Saleaula, Savai‘i, Samoa / Layton Christian Academy

  • 56 – Spencer Elliott | 6-3, 250 | Sr. | Bend, Ore. / Summit HS | Portland State

  • 90 – Ha‘aheo Dela Cruz | 6-2, 260 | So. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / ‘Iolani School

  • 91 – Josh Sagapolutele | 6-0, 255 | Jr. | Waimanalo, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 92 – Waipehe Winchester | 6-2, 260 | So. | Mililani, O‘ahu / ‘Iolani School

  • 95 – Geoffrey Speight | 6-1, 275 | Sr. | McDonough, Ga. / Union Grove HS | West Georgia

  • 96 – Iosefa Letuli | 6-5, 260 | So. | Oceanside, Calif. / Kaimuki HS | BYU

  • 97 – Jordan Lynch | 6-3, 295 | So. | College Station, Texas / A&M Consolidated HS | UT Permian Basin

  • 99 – Ozzy Pollard | 6-4, 285 | So. | Carmel, Ind. / Carmel HS | Marian University

Linebackers (LB)

  • 7 – Julian “JuJu” Smith | 6-0, 200 | Jr. | Bakersfield, Calif. / Graces Memorial HS | Bakersfield College

  • 11 – Jamih Otis | 5-11, 220 | Sr. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS

  • 12 – Wynden Ho‘ohuli | 6-3, 240 | Sr. | Kapolei, O‘ahu / Mililani HS | Nebraska

  • 18 – Zaden Mariteragi | 6-1, 220 | Rf. | Kahuku, O‘ahu / Farrington HS

  • 30 – Zion “Ziggy” Vea | 5-10, 225 | Fr. | Nānākuli, O‘ahu / Farrington HS

  • 31 – Aisiah “Scoob” Paogofie | 6-1, 220 | Rf. | Wai‘anae, O‘ahu / Campbell HS

  • 35 – Junior Fiaui | 6-3, 210 | So. | San Jose, Calif. / Saint Francis HS

  • 42 – Matteus Ioane | 6-2, 225 | So. | Wahiawa, O‘ahu / Leilehua HS

  • 43 – Alika Cavaco-Amoy | 6-0, 215 | So. | Waimanalo, O‘ahu / Punahou School

  • 47 – Kingston Costales | 5-11, 220 | Rf. | Wai‘anae, O‘ahu / Wai‘anae HS

  • 48 – Kolo Kaulula‘au | 6-0, 215 | Jr. | Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu / Maryknoll School

  • 49 – Tasi Tadio | 5-11, 225 | So. | Wahiawa, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

Defensive Backs (DB)

  • 0 – Jeremiah Hughes | 6-0, 195 | Jr. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS | Michigan State

  • 1 – Caleb “C-Bo” Brown | 6-1, 170 | Sr. | Anniston, Ala. / Lithia Springs HS | Virginia Tech

  • 2 – Kona Moore | 6-0, 190 | Sr. | Kapolei, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 3 – Joenel Figueroa | 6-0, 185 | Sr. | Lawrence, Mass. / Lawrence HS | West Georgia

  • 4 – Elijah Palmer | 5-8, 180 | Sr. | Las Vegas, Nev. / Bishop Gorman HS

  • 5 – Jaylon Edmond | 5-9, 165 | So. | Long Beach, Calif. / Western HS | Wake Forest

  • 6 – Zion Allen | 6-1, 170 | Sr. | Stockton, Calif. / Manteca HS | Southern Utah

  • 13 – Elijah Gipson | 5-11, 160 | Sr. | Los Angeles, Calif. / Oaks Christian HS | Glendale CC

  • 19 – Kela Moore | 6-0, 185 | Jr. | Kapolei, O‘ahu / Campbell HS | UNLV

  • 21 – Makana Meyer | 5-9, 180 | Jr. | Waipahu, O‘ahu / Mililani HS

  • 22 – Ezekiel Rodrigues | 6-0, 185 | So. | Kāne‘ohe, O‘ahu / Mililani HS

  • 23 – Kydel Stone | 6-1, 185 | Fr. | Chandler, Ariz. / Saguaro HS

  • 24 – Kodi DeCambra | 6-0, 190 | Jr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Bishop Gorman HS | UNLV

  • 25 – Matagi Thompson | 6-2, 190 | Sr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Punahou School

  • 27 – Jahren Altura | 5-10, 175 | Fr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Saint Louis School

  • 29 – Kainoa Ontai | 5-11, 175 | Jr. | Manteca, Calif. / East Union HS | Modesto JC

  • 34 – Brayton Correa | 5-10, 185 | Fr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Bishop Gorman HS

  • 36 – Jordan Fetu | 5-10, 180 | Sr. | ‘Ewa Beach, O‘ahu / Mililani HS | Olivet Nazarene

  • 37 – Riis Weber | 6-1, 200 | Sr. | Kailua, O‘ahu / Kailua HS | Idaho State

Specialists (P / LS)

  • 33 – Jack Mowrey | LS | 6-3, 245 | Jr. | Charlotte, N.C. / Ardrey Kell HS | James Madison

  • 45 – Nick Pang | LS | 5-10, 220 | Sr. | Honolulu, O‘ahu / Punahou School

  • 43 – Gannon Miller | P | 6-1, 175 | Fr. | Boise, Idaho / Air Force Prep

  • 47 – Gehrig Heil | P | 6-1, 205 | Fr. | Phoenix, Ariz. / Arcadia HS | Texas

  • 98 – Sean Olvera-Harle | P | 6-0, 210 | Sr. | San Juan Capistrano, Calif. / St. Margaret’s Episcopal | Saddleback College

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Mana Wahine: Hawaii Softball shortstop Milan Ah Yat

Mana Wahine: Hawaii Softball shortstop Milan Ah Yat

Photo Credit: HSRN

Mana Wahine: Hawaii Softball shortstop Milan Ah Yat

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2, 2026

HONOLULU – Being a successful athlete in the Ah Yat family is nothing new.

University of Hawai’i junior shortstop Milan Ah Yat is the daughter of a former pro baseball player, the niece of a University of Montana athletics Hall of Famer and granddaughter of a Linfield University athletics Hall of Famer.

As if her high school resume didn’t already speak for itself, Ah Yat has continued that line of success in athletics after enjoying a strong first season back in the islands in 2025, earning All-Big West honorable mention recognition after starting all 53 games for the Rainbow Wahine and hitting .277 with five home runs, seven doubles and 28 runs batted in.

She was even better in clutch moments, delivering a trio of walk-off hits over the course of her sophomore campaign, including a two-run homer against Utah Tech in the bottom of the eighth inning to finish the 2025 Spring Fling on a high note for Hawai’i.

Ah Yat credits her dad for her pursuit of softball at a higher level. The daughter of former University of Hawai’i baseball left-handed pitcher and Pittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer Paul Ah Yat, the junior can’t remember many times that she had the ability to play on a diamond that her father wasn’t pushing her to use it.

“My dad had me playing tee ball since I could pick up a bat,” said Ah Yat, who is the middle of three siblings. “Naturally, my dad just wanted to put me in baseball. So, I played baseball until middle school, and I took a break … I joined the high school softball team at UH Lab, the Pac-Five team, and finally after that, I got more into [focusing on] softball.”

That focus helped her to an elite prep career on the diamond, leading Pac-Five to the ILH Division II title as a junior and the Division II HHSAA state championship as a senior while winning league Player of the Year honors in both seasons.

Playing for the Pac-Five program brought a variety of challenges that were a bit unusual for many high school athletes. Made up of players from a variety of schools, Ah Yat and her teammates made a habit of carpooling to the different fields that were available for the group to practice at each day.

With different girls coming from all over with a variety of differing day-to-day activities, Ah Yat tried to help bring the team closer together in the limited time that they got with each other and got to develop her leadership skills all throughout her high school career.

The four-year letterwinner in softball recalled that goal going smoothest in her high school junior and senior seasons, not-so-coincidentally the two best seasons that the team enjoyed on the diamond in her tenure.

“Having all of those girls there with me definitely contributed to my individual success as well,” Ah Yat said of teammates from high school. “Having all of that support and everyone being one [was so important].”

Ah Yat spent her college freshman season away from the islands, originally committing to Loyola Marymount (CA) with eyes on an experience away from Hawai’i. The year was an enjoyable experience for Ah Yat, who spoke glowingly of her time at the school, but saw the two-time ILH Player of the Year appear in a muted role with just 17 games played and nine starts.

After sitting down with her family, Ah Yat decided a change of scenery – sort of – was needed.

“We just talked about what I needed the next year and came to the conclusion that I needed to be home with my family,” said Ah Yat. “Coming home was just what God had planned for me as well, so I think all glory to Him. And thanks to my dad for helping lead me on the right way and keep me in the right mindset the whole time.”

The move paid dividends quickly as Ah Yat earned a starting job after transferring to the University of Hawai’i, helping the Rainbow Wahine to a 33-20 season and a semifinal appearance in the Big West Tournament. The 33 wins by UH were the most in a single season since 2019 when the Rainbow Wahine went 33-16.

“I’m really grateful for Coach Bob [Coolen], especially for allowing me to come home and getting an opportunity to play,” Ah Yat said about the legendary UH coach who retired at the end of the 2025 season. “Just him having faith in me to get out there and prove myself and show that I can do it, and then the fans backing me up behind that … I can’t ask for anything better.”

Ah Yat returns to a talented but different Hawai’i roster in 2026, under new leadership for the first time in over 30 years as first-year head coach Panita Thanatharn takes over at the helm for the Rainbow Wahine. Despite graduations and changing regimes, the excitement remains the same as Opening Day approaching for Ah Yat and her teammates.

“Don’t forget to come out to our first game,” A smiling Ah Yat responded when asked about any message to the fans before the season. “Our first tournament, February 5-7. Our games are free … Thank you for all your support during this season and in the past, we’re really grateful and we see the impact you make on us and our program. We’re just trying to do our best for you guys and grow.”

Hawai’i begins the Thanatharn era on Thursday, February 5 against Seattle University on the first day of the Bank of Hawai’i Paradise Classic. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. HT at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

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Mana Wahine: Hawaii softball head coach Panita Thanatharn

Mana Wahine: Hawaii softball head coach Panita Thanatharn

First-year Hawaii softball head coach Panita Thanatharn smiles on as her team opens the 2026 season. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Mana Wahine: Hawaii softball head coach Panita Thanatharn

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED FEBRUARY 2, 2026

HONOLULU – What’s the butterfly effect of a star sophomore breaking her leg in the first half of her college career?

New University of Hawai’i softball head coach Panita Thanatharn can tell you her own firsthand account.

“I think not being able to play for a couple years, sitting back on the sidelines, watching my teammates play, I think that’s what kind of got me into coaching,” Thanatharn said while reflecting on her career-altering injury from her playing days with Long Beach State.

After starting the 2003 season scorching hot with a .526 batting average across seven games, then-sophomore outfielder Panita Thanatharn saw her playing career dramatically altered on a February evening during a home tournament for the Beach.

Thanatharn rounded third to score in the second inning of a 4-2 win for LBSU but collided with LMU catcher Trisha Gomes as she reached home plate. It would be the final run that the right fielder would score for a long time, suffering a compound fracture in her lower left leg that cost her two years of work to rehab back from.

“I’ve had at least eight surgeries on it already,” Thanatharn revealed. “I had two surgeries right away and I was in the hospital for 10 days and nine nights.”

Despite working tirelessly to return in time to play during her junior year, Thanatharn was told that she wasn’t going to be cleared and ready and took a rare second medical redshirt. While she spent two years out of the lineup, Thanatharn was anything but absent from everything softball related.

Despite her fibula never healing, tibia getting major work and suffering nerve damage to go along with a few paralyzed muscles, Thanatharn made a return to the field in 2005 and improved to a respectable batting average again by 2006. After her coaches pushed for a return for a sixth year, Thanatharn obliged and finished her college career with an all-Big West honorable mention selection in 2007.

The injury also provided perspective on one of Thanatharn’s key messages as a coach – playing every game as though it could be your last.

“You never know,” the first-year head coach said. “Tomorrow could be your last game. We never know when our end date is, ever.”

Photo Credit: UH Athletics

As soon as her playing career’s expiration date hit, Thanatharn took up the clipboard and coaching cap with her alma mater. After a quick two-year detour at UNLV with veteran head coach Pete Manarino, she returned to LBSU under Kim Sowder and spent the next 15 seasons with the Beach.

Across 18 total years in various assistant coaching roles, Thanatharn finally took the leap to the head chair last June. The patience to take a lead job was purposeful as Thanatharn leaned on the advice of her mentors (who won a combined 1,422 games for Long Beach State) and other people in her circle.

“The goal was to be a head coach,” Thanatharn said. “But it had to be the right fit for me as well.”

She took multiple interviews for head coaching jobs when she was younger but consistently found herself asking if she was willing to leave a good place and role at LBSU for the positions looking to hire her. After some reflection, Thanatharn slowed her push to lead her own program and waited for a job too good to refuse to pop up.

Fast forward to the end of the 2025 season with former UH head coach Bob Coolen’s retirement after 34 years leading the Rainbow Wahine program and there was suddenly a program with the things Thanatharn desired in her new home.

“Again, the goal was to be a head coach but not just anywhere,” Thanatharn emphasized. “It had to be the right fit for me, for my family and at the same time, again I’m competitive. I didn’t want to go, selfishly, set myself up for failure. I wanted a place that is supported, where I know I can win, I can have support … it just had to be a good fit.”

Thanatharn acknowledged the daunting task that is replacing the program’s all-time winningest coach that spent over 30 years leading the Rainbow Wahine program. She also pointed to the longevity of Coolen’s tenure as a plus in her mind about the Hawai’i job.

“When people don’t leave, that’s a good thing,” Thanatharn said after becoming just the fourth head coach in UH program history. “People don’t want to leave [Hawai’i], and there’s something special going on at a place when you have a coaching staff that’s been there for quite a while.”

The first-year head coach certainly won’t have her team playing many cupcake tune-ups in her debut season at the helm. The Rainbow Wahine’s non-conference schedule features matchups against No. 9 Nebraska, No. 19 Duke, and a BYU squad that received votes in the preseason ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 poll and multiple other tournaments that will test the 24-player roster made up of seven new faces and 17 returning letterwinners.

Hawai’i will start the 2026 season on Thursday, February 5 against Seattle University at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on the first day of the Bank of Hawaii Paradise Classic. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. HT and attendance is free and open to the public.

“Come out and support us, our girls are working hard,” Thanatharn said ahead of Thursday’s season opener. “Come support, it’s going to be a fun, special season … we’re super excited and we’re going to make this community proud.”

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Aloha Stadium document reveals important NASED timeline dates

Aloha Stadium document reveals important NASED timeline dates

Aloha Stadium document reveals important NASED timeline dates

HONOLULU — Giving gifts like flowers and chocolate are quite common on Valentine’s Day.

For the state of Hawai’i this year, physical evidence towards the dismantling of the old Aloha Stadium will be on display during the festive day.

Heavy machinery to help with the demolition of the condemned structure is scheduled to be on site in Halawa on Feb. 14, per public documents on the stadium’s website.

The documents were posted seven days before the Stadium Authority Board’s scheduled monthly meeting this Thursday, which will be held at the Leiopapa a Kamehameha building, also known as The State Office Tower.

The board held its final meeting in the stadium’s old office space last month and will move into its new on-site location next month after a scheduled blessing on Feb. 17, per the document.

Other important details that the document notes is that active on-site work is underway, with installation of the perimeter dust screen fencing, completion of site surveys, cutting and capping of utilities, hazardous materials abatement and interior stadium equipment removal.

The heavy machinery and equipment that are being delivered on site next month will be used for the physical cutting and removal of steel framing in the first quarter of 2026, with actual dismantling to start in March, the document states.

All of the work in the dismantling phase is expected to be completed by the fall, well before construction of the New Aloha Stadium Entertainment District (NASED), per the document.

The Stadium Authority and Aloha Halawa District Partners (AHDP) are also expected to come to terms on major agreements in the coming weeks, the document notes.

While the Stadium Development and Operation Agreement and Initial Ground Lease were agreed to last September, negotiations related to the district development agreements are still ongoing.

The document reveals that the Master Developmental Agreement (MDA), the form of Ground Lease and the related shared easements documents are expected to be agreed to tentatively by Feb. 1 and non-substantive language to be finalized before March 1.

The current state of the demolition period and the ongoing negotiations of the remaining district-developmental agreements do not impact the current opening date of March 2029 for the new Aloha Stadium, concludes the document.

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Rainbow Wahine Finish Strong to Top CSUN, Complete Road Sweep

Rainbow Wahine Finish Strong to Top CSUN, Complete Road Sweep

Rainbow Wahine Finish Strong to Top CSUN, Complete Road Sweep

HSRN STAFF | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED JANUARY 25, 2026

The University of Hawaiʻi women’s basketball team shook off a cold second quarter and closed with authority Saturday afternoon, pulling away late for a 64–55 Big West Conference win over CSUN. The victory completed a road sweep for the Rainbow Wahine, who improved to 10-9 overall and 4-5 in league play.

Hawaiʻi controlled the opening period, racing to a 19–9 advantage behind balanced scoring and early defensive energy.

That momentum stalled in the second quarter as CSUN turned up its physical play and limited the ‘Bows to just three points, flipping the game into a 29–22 halftime deficit.

Head coach Laura Beeman credited her young roster for weathering that stretch and responding with composure after the break.

“I thought they [CSUN] played a really good second quarter,” Beeman said. “In the second half things kind of calmed down. We were able to handle the pressure a little bit better, move the ball much, much better, and defensively, I think we tightened some things up.”

Hawaiʻi began to find its footing in the third quarter, cutting into the Matadors’ lead with improved ball movement and defensive stops. The turning point came early in the fourth, when the Rainbow Wahine erupted for a decisive run that flipped a tight game into a comfortable cushion.

Hawaiʻi outscored CSUN 27–16 in the final period, capitalizing at the free-throw line and forcing timely turnovers to put the game away.

Bailey Flavell led the way with 17 points, while Saniyah Neverson added 13 points and provided steady inside presence. Imani Perez chipped in 12 points, and the ‘Bows finished a sharp 23-of-25 at the free-throw line — a season-high.

Hawaiʻi also made its presence felt defensively, finishing with five blocks, including three from Ritorya Tamilo, helping limit CSUN’s scoring chances around the rim.

The win continues a significant climb in the Big West standings for the Rainbow Wahine. After opening conference play 0-5, Hawaiʻi has now put together a four-game winning streak, moving up the league table and building momentum heading into the second half of conference play.

Beyond the numbers, Beeman emphasized the growth shown by a roster featuring six true freshmen.

“This is the first time we’ve been on the road for two games like this with a very, very young team,” Beeman said. “They found another level. They grew up a little bit. I’m really, really proud that they’re continuing to trust our process.”

Hawaiʻi now returns home for a pivotal stretch, hosting Big West leader UC Irvine on Thursday, Jan. 29, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, before welcoming Long Beach State on Saturday, Jan. 31, for this year’s edition of “Beeman’s Big Bash.” Get your tickets HERE.

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Bench, balance and toughness lead Hawai’i over CSUN

Bench, balance and toughness lead Hawai’i over CSUN

Hawaii F Gytis Nemeikša passes to Ike Finlinson during a home win by the Rainbow Warriors. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Bench, balance and toughness lead Hawai’i over CSUN

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED JANUARY 24, 2026

HONOLULU – Depth, determination and second half dominance.

The University of Hawai’i men’s basketball team won for the fourth time in the last five games on Saturday night, battering down a physical Cal State Northridge inside Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center, 89-68. Senior Isaac Johnson scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the way for a Rainbow Warrior squad that shot 64% from the field after halftime en route to the second blowout win of the week.

With the victory, Hawai’i (15-4, 7-2 Big West) matched last season’s overall and conference win totals with 11 regular season games still left to play. The win also kept the Rainbow Warriors tied atop the conference standings with UC Irvine, who took down UC San Diego in La Jolla on Saturday night.

“Great win, given the circumstances, the stakes,” said head coach Eran Ganot. “[CSUN] took it to us last year. Today’s one game, we know it’s going to be a battle over there.”

The Rainbow Warriors were without starting point guard Aaron Hunkin-Claytor for the second consecutive contest after the sophomore suffered a foot injury during Wednesday’s practice. Graduate guard Hunter Erickson filled in the point guard duties admirably with 10 points, six rebounds and career-high eight assists in 32 minutes of action despite dealing with early foul woes.

“His maturity down the stretch to end the first half,” Ganot said while speaking about the veteran guard’s all-around impact. “He was battling foul trouble, and he was still engaged … That’s why we won, because everybody has sacrificed for the group.”

The UH bench outscored CSUN’s reserves, 31-3, led by Gytis Nemeikša’s 16 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes of work. Isaiah Kerr added another nine points and a pair of steals in 19 minutes of his own off the bench.

Nemeikša had the sweet touch from the beginning, helping push Hawai’i ahead 7-4 going into the under 16-minute media timeout with his first of three 3-pointers on the night. An aggressive Rainbow Warrior unit pushed through shooting struggles to get the Matadors into early foul trouble, entering the single bonus with more than 14 minutes left in the first half and extending the advantage to seven quickly after.

CSUN swung back with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 25 as the clock ticked under four minutes before halftime, seeing UH continue to struggle finding any true offensive rhythm.

Enter Ike Finlinson.

After doing the dirty work to start with a block, steal and an offensive rebound through the opening 18 minutes, the reigning JUCO National Player of the Year broke the Rainbow Warriors’ 1-for-12 skid from distance with back-to-back triples that put Hawai’i up 33-27 with two minutes left before halftime.

“You’ve got to make good defensive teams work so things start to open up, and you’ve got to play with a little swagger and confidence,” Ganot said. “If we start passing up good looks, we’re not good at anything. So, I’m proud that our guys that they put in the work, and they have the confidence to stay with it. I think Ike was a big part of that to end the half.”

That infectious swagger spread as Nemeikša added his second 3-pointer a minute later and Isaac Johnson cashed in off of a no-look, behind-the-head pass from Hunter Erickson at the buzzer to send the Rainbow Warriors into the locker room leading by six and send the Stan Sheriff Center crowd into a craze.

“He’s a stud, he just does that,” Johnson said with a smile about the flashy pass from Erickson. “I had every bit of confidence in him. Like when he gets down there, shooters just have to be ready.”

The flood gates opened in the second half as Erickson knocked down a transition three to push the UH advantage to 10 less than two minutes after play resumed. Johnson got in on the fun with a dunk and a 27-foot heat check 3-pointer less than a minute later, activating his microwave scoring ability to put Hawai’i on cruise control the rest of the way.

Erickson drained UH’s 10th triple of the night and Nemeikša added a pair of free throws to put the Rainbow Warriors up by 20 with 8:19 to play, and the Hawai’i defense cleaned up the remainer of the night as CSUN (11-10, 4-5 Big West) was held to its lowest point total in a conference game this season.

Dre Bullock added 13 points and seven rebounds for UH while Ike Finlinson finished with 11 points and four rebounds while playing a season-high 31 minutes for the Rainbow Warriors.

Hawai’i won the battle of the boards for the second straight game, outrebounding the Big West’s leaders on the glass in the Matadors, 44-42. Players emphasized in the postgame how a commitment to being the tougher team on Saturday played a key difference in taking down CSUN.

“The edge that we had to set us up for that successful run [between the end of the first half and beginning of the second half] was that we won the toughness battle,” Johnson said.

Finlinson added: “Big focus going into this game that we’ve got to be the tougher team, set the tone from the beginning and I think we did that tonight.”

Senior guard Larry Hughes II paced CSUN in the loss, scoring 19 points while being held to 7-of-20 shooting from the floor. Preseason All-Big West forward Mahmoud Fofana tallied 14 points and five rebounds for the Matadors, going 6-of-9 from the field.

Hawai’i hits the road next for a nationally-televised rematch against UC Irvine on Thursday, January 29 in a battle for sole possession of first place in the Big West. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. HT / 11 p.m. ET on ESPNU.

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