Approximately 1,200 young haum¨¡na (students) from elementary schools throughout Oʻahu visited the campus on November 21, to learn more about college life and even got to witness front and center a game.
The visit began at 8:30 a.m., at Andrews Amphitheater where the keiki were introduced to campus and split into groups for morning tours. UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ student guides led groups through classrooms, labs and notable campus spots, introducing the haum¨¡na to academic programs and campus life while mixing in fun facts that kept the tours engaging.
Then at 11 a.m., the keiki headed to Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center to cheer on the Rainbow Wahine in the opening game of the Bank of Â鶹´«Ã½ Classic against Loyola Marymount. They brought a ton of energy to help propel the Rainbow Wahine to a 55-51 victory.
“Our students, for some of them, this is their first time at the Stan Sheriff or even just kind of touring the campus¡ªjust being exposed to what¡¯s across the street from us,” said Preston Pires, Mid-Pacific Institute elementary PE teacher. “A lot of our students, they like following University of Â鶹´«Ã½ athletics, and they kind of get to see their idols in action.”
Mid-Pacific Institute 5th grade student Nahe Amimoto expressed his excitement for exploring the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ campus, from the facilities to the arena.
“I think it¡¯d be a really nice school to go to,” said Amimoto.
“It helps the campus, it helps athletics and it helps women¡¯s basketball,” said UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ Athletics Director of Marketing and Fan Experience Eric Mathews, also known as “Captain Fun.” “It does so many positive things when you have this age group and kids here seeing campus for the first time, maybe seeing a game for the first time. They’re getting so many cool experiences.”
Prior to the game, all keiki were given swag bags with gifts courtesy of Bank of Â鶹´«Ã½, Raising Cane¡¯s, Coke and Sodexo. The haum¨¡na were from K¨±h¨©o, H¨k¨±lani, M¨kapu, Ala Wai, Lincoln, Hoʻokele, Hahaʻione, Queen Kaʻahumanu, and Lunalilo Elementary Schools, and from neighboring Mid-Pacific Institute.
This opportunity was made possible by a collaboration of multiple units across the UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ campus, including the athletics department, admissions office, campus operations and facilities, President¡¯s office and more.