The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Bookstore was buzzing on Friday morning as hundreds lined up for the launch of a limited-edition Aloha Collection collaboration. The drop, featuring the first-ever Aloha Collection bags emblazoned with the UH Athletics “H” logo and vintage rainbow logo, sold out shortly after doors opened.

More than 200 people were in line before the store opened, with the first customer arriving as early as 1 a.m. Some students said they secured their spots around 3:30 a.m., braving the early hours for a chance to snag the exclusive gear.

The high demand prompted a second opportunity later in the day: at 5 p.m., the bookstore launched an online pre-order for the same items, allowing fans to secure products that will ship in the coming weeks.

The turnout highlights a growing appetite for branded collaborations at UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹. Just a month earlier, lululemon unveiled its own exclusive line at the bookstore, drawing similar early crowds.

“We are happy to see that customers are flocking to our store because of the products we are bringing in,” said UH Bookstore Assistant Director Staci Yoshihara. “We have a proven record of generating excitement with collaborations with popular brands.”

With back-to-back sellouts, the bookstore has cemented itself as a hub for unique collaborations, fueling both school spirit and community demand.

The lululemon | UH collection made its in-store debut exclusively at the University of on Friday, August 8. About 200 people lined up before the doors opened at 8 a.m. The first person lined up before 5 a.m.

“So we knew lululemon was going to be a huge launch in the bookstore—I don’t think we quite expected the line to be so long, with hundreds in line, but you know, not surprised because lululemon is a brand name,” said UH Bookstore Assistant Director Staci Yoshihara.

UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ is the first university team-up with lululemon in Â鶹´«Ã½. The collection features a range of athletic and casual wear. Online sales and an in-store pickup option will be available beginning on Monday, August 11, limited to what remains in stock.

“Just being able to wear it is just, I mean it’s fun because you go to UH, I can rep this everywhere when I go to class, at home,” said Micah Alejado, UH Rainbow Warrior quarterback, who attended the launch. “I love it, it’s fun and super comfortable, and obviously I’m not the only one.”

The collection is expected to welcome new products with a fall stock refresh that will include seasonal items. The UH branded items are exclusive to the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Bookstore. The particular green color of products is also only available at the campus store.

UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Bookstore is the 99th campus store that lululemon has set up shop.

The product launch is one of a series of recent UH collections with national brands such as Nike and Carhartt, and local companies such as Kahala and Fitted. UH Bookstore encourages the public to follow its social media accounts to learn about the upcoming products first ().

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ made a strong showing at the inaugural , held on July 20, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center Exhibition Hall. The event aimed to promote fitness and engagement with healthy lifestyle practices.

The event featured contributions from the , the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ College of Education’s , the (HCAMP) and the .

Presented by the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Star Events Â鶹´«Ã½, the expo was hosted by Chad Owens, a former UH football standout. It was sponsored in part by UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹.

“Events like the Â鶹´«Ã½ Family & Sports Expo showcase the deep connection between our university athletics department and the community,” said UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Athletics Director Matt Elliott. “It’s inspiring to see our student-athletes, coaches and alumni giving back to Â鶹´«Ã½ by promoting healthy lifestyles for all.”

Attendees could visit the UH tailgating area at the exhibition hall, complete with merchandise, games and meet-and-greets with Rainbow Warrior and Wahine athletes and coaches. Attendees could also win prizes from HCAMP and the kinesiology department, learn more about the academic programs and meet UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ College of Education faculty and staff.

“Our participation in the Â鶹´«Ã½ Family & Sports Expo reflects the College of Education’s mission to promote wellness and lifelong learning,” said Nathan Murata, dean of the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ College of Education. “It was great to see our kinesiology department engaging directly with the community in celebrating fitness and healthy lifestyles.”

Booths from local sports leagues, healthcare providers, wellness vendors and community organizations provided information, demos and giveaways throughout the day. The event also included interactive sports clinics, youth athletic zones, pickleball and tennis courts and hands-on games.

“There was something for everyone at the expo,” said Emily Morden, UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ alumna and event coordinator at Big Brothers Big Sisters Â鶹´«Ã½, who also participated in the event. “It was amazing to see how involved UH was. From the athletes and coaches and other departments, they really showed up to promote health and sports.”

Through the the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Bookstore Trade In and Save program, customers can exchange old electronic devices for bookstore gift cards. TecHub has partnered with PowerON for the last two years to offer this program.

“Our Trade-In Program offers a convenient way to recycle devices you no longer use,” said Kelly Toyama, TecHub’s manager. “In return, you’ll receive a bookstore gift card that can be used toward upgrading to a new device or any other purchase at the bookstore.”

Certain devices can be turned in, and TecHub will determine the worth of the device based on criteria from PowerON. If the device meets the criteria, TecHub will issue a bookstore gift card for the trade in value of the old device.

On top of a possible gift card, the Trade In and Save program also helps the environment. Through PowerON, it is ensured that old electronic devices are properly reused, recycled or disposed of, rather than being thrown away, which could be harmful to the environment.

The program runs all year long and is available to everyone including UH faculty, staff, students and all community members.

Learn about the .

What does “HI Pride” mean to you? The polls are open, and we’re calling on all University of Â鶹´«Ã½ students, faculty, staff and supporters to vote for your favorite design in the 14th annual HI Pride T-Shirt Contest.

This year, nearly 70 original HI Pride designs were submitted. After much deliberation, three outstanding finalists have been selected—and now, it’s up to you to help us decide the 2025 HI Pride winner! The winning designer and one runner-up, selected by public vote, will receive a prize pack valued at more than $300.

The winning design will be featured on official HI Pride T-shirts, available this fall at all UH Bookstores.

Show your HI Pride and vote today!

The 19th Â鶹´«Ã½ Book & Music Festival (HBMF), in partnership with the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at Mānoa, will present a robust, two-day program September 14–15 on the UH Mānoa campus.

The free, open to the public, non-profit festival will feature 150 events with more than 300 participants, including themed programs:

• Mainstage, featuring hula and music (at Campus Center)
• Keiki Stage, featuring musical artist Steve Songs (along Legacy Path)
• Performance Stage, featuring hip hop, improv, storytellers and drama (between Kuykendall Hall and the Art Building)
• Celebrity Readers Corner, for young readers

Two Author venues will present new works by the Â鶹´«Ã½ Authors and Poets. The festival’s themed programs will include discussion panels on issues in Hawaiian culture, sustainability and resilience, wellness, innovation and the impact of AI on the humanities. Attendees can also enjoy the annual Â鶹´«Ã½ Literary Council’s Elliot Cades Awards for Literature, and the Loretta D. Petrie Awards for Service to the Literary Community.

The Publisher’s Village will host local publishers, exhibitors and vendors including a variety of food trucks.

In addition to its partnerships with UH Mānoa, HBMF is supported by the City & County of Honolulu, Kamehameha Schools-Kaiāulu, Kosasa Foundation, the Â鶹´«Ã½ Tourism Authority, Oceanit, Â鶹´«Ã½ Council for the Humanities, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, Always Dream Foundation, Halekulani Hotel, Better Tomorrow Speakers Series, UH Manoa Bookstore, BDK Hawaii, Â鶹´«Ã½ Public Radio, Civil Beat and iHeartMedia.

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Bookstores announced the opening of a second NIL (Name, Image and Likeness) online store to support its . This new shop will feature officially licensed UH Hilo Vulcan merchandise that is customized for each participating athlete. Powered by Athletic Solutions, the NIL store gives student-athletes the opportunity to open and promote their own personalized online store. Fans will be able to browse and purchase these items and directly support their favorite UH Hilo athletes.

With every purchase, UH Hilo athletes receive direct payments from the sale of their merchandise.

Athletic Solutions works with student-athletes at universities and colleges around the country. It has online stores at more than 170 campuses.

“We’re excited to partner with Athletic Solutions and offer our athletes a store where their fans, family and friends can shop for their customized merchandise that directly support them,” said UH Bookstore Director Tricia Ejima-Zane.

“UH Hilo Athletics is excited to partner with Athletic Solutions and the UH Bookstore that will benefit our student-athletes as it relates to monetizing their name, image and likeness. At the same time, this collaboration broadens our presence and Â鶹´«Ã½ brand,” said UH Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen.

The NIL stores will offer more than 150 different styles including headwear, tees, fleece, and accessories from various brands in the collegiate space, all with the specific student-athletes name, image and likeness represented. The offerings of colors, styles and graphics are almost unlimited.

Athletic Solutions is proud to partner with the University of Â鶹´«Ã½. To visit the UH Hilo NIL Shop log on to:

An NIL shop for UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ student-athletes opened last month.

The announced the launch of a new that will feature officially licensed UH merchandise that is customized for each participating student-athlete. The NIL store, powered by Athletic Solutions, gives athletes the opportunity to open and promote their own online store. Fans will be able to browse and purchase these items and directly support their favorite athletes.

With every purchase, UH athletes receive direct payments from the sale of their merchandise.

Athletic Solutions works with student-athletes at universities and colleges around the country. It has online stores at more than 170 campuses.

“We’re excited to partner with Athletic Solutions and offer our athletes a store where their fans, family and friends can shop for their customized merchandise that directly support them,” said Director Tricia Ejima-Zane.

“This partnership between Athletic Solutions and the UH Bookstore will empower our student-athletes to monetize their name, image, and likeness while strengthening the Â鶹´«Ã½ brand,” said Director Craig Angelos.

The NIL stores will offer more than 150 different styles including headwear, tees, fleece and accessories from various brands in the collegiate space, all with the specific student-athletes name, image and likeness represented. The offerings of colors, styles and graphics are almost unlimited.

Athletic Solutions is proud to partner with the University of Â鶹´«Ã½. To visit the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ NIL Shop log on to:

The program hopes to expand to assist student-athletes at UH Hilo as well.

A few weeks prior to the beginning of each semester, University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ students can now place orders for their textbooks completely online. Orders for their textbooks can be made through STAR GPS with their student account or through the . The switch to fully online ordering launched in fall 2024.

If students start the ordering process through STAR GPS, their book order will automatically load based on their courses. Students without access to a computer can order their textbooks in person through a computer station at the UH ²ÑÄå²Ô´Ç²¹ Bookstore.

Order today:

Orders are usually processed within 24 business hours and students can either pick up their purchase in-store or have it shipped (standard shipping rates and some restrictions apply).

“We’re excited to launch this new process to help improve the student experience when ordering their textbooks,” said Tricia Ejima-Zane, UH Bookstores director. “While picking up their books, students are also welcome to complete their back-to-school shopping at the bookstore with the latest products and UH apparel this fall.”

Early-bird specials

Students who order textbooks online early can receive a chance to win prizes. Details and additional assistance can be found on the , on social media () or in-store.

What does “HI Pride” mean to you? The polls are open to cast your vote and select the 2024 HI Pride Contest winner!

The University of Â鶹´«Ã½ Bookstore’s 13th annual HI Pride T-shirt Contest received 28 original designs. , and the Bookstore System wants all UH students, faculty and staff to help determine the winner!

One winner and one runner-up, selected by public vote, will be awarded a prize pack worth more than $240.

!

Voting closes on May 19, 2024 at noon.

T-shirts with the winning HI Pride design will be available this fall semester at all UH bookstores.