Fans await the arrival of the Rainbows. "We love the 'Bows," said
Kelly Hauck, who arrived at the airport at 8:30 a.m.yesterday from the North Shore.
"We would come see them anywhere."
Fans await the arrival of the Rainbows. "We love the 'Bows," said
Kelly Hauck, who arrived at the airport at 8:30 a.m.yesterday from the North Shore.
"We would come see them anywhere."
Aaron Wilton is swarmed by fans.
The heartbreak heartthrobs - the University of Hawaii Rainbows - returned home from Los Angeles yesterday to a champions' welcome. Hundreds greeted the NCAA men's volleyball runners-up at Honolulu Airport, and an additional hundred or so fans turned the area around the Special Events Arena into a loud homecoming reception.
The pain of Saturday night's 15-13, 12-15, 9-15, 17-15, 15-12 loss to UCLA in the championship match was buried under an avalanche of leis and other gifts.
The shower of appreciation began literally, with fire trucks at the airport creating a water arch with their hoses for the plane to taxi through. The party continues tomorrow when the Rainbows will be feted by Gov. Ben Cayetano, a UCLA graduate, with a proclamation and luncheon at Washington Place.
Sivan Leoni signs an autograph for Patricia Ching, 13, of Kaneohe after Leoni and his teammates arrived yesterday at Honolulu Airport.
First-year Rainbow player Naveh Milo said teammates tried to prepare him for yesterday's reception. After finishing fourth at last year's tournament, the Hawaii players received a warm welcome back last May.
"But this was more than I expected," said Milo.
What else could have been expected? Nothing less from what Hawaii coach Mike Wilton called the country's greatest fans. Not after the 27-3 team shattered records for home attendance and autographs.
"They've become like family; we've been watching them all season," said Kelly Hauck, who arrived at the airport at 8:30 a.m. from the North Shore to await the team's 11:30 a.m. arrival. "We love the 'Bows. We would come see them anywhere."
Fans and a television news team crowd Jason Ring in the airport terminal.
A good time has been had by all who followed the Rainbows' phenomenal season. An estimated 3,500 fans traveled from Hawaii to Pauley Pavilion for a weeklong tailgate, a Green Wave that washed over the NCAA championship site and comprised over half of Saturday night's 7,688 attendance figure.
"When you contemplate how much money was spent for these people to come watch us, it's incredible," said Wilton. "People took time off from work and all to travel all that way. They are bar none the best volleyball fans in the country."
Aaron Wilton walks through Honolulu International Airport with his girlfriend Tiffany Fujimoto. She's a UH women's basketball player.
Florence Wong said she and her husband have season tickets for several UH teams, including men's volleyball. There was never a question about them making the trip to the NCAA tournament.
"This was very heartwarming," assistant coach Tino Reyes said of the reception. "It's always nice when people think highly of what you do. It's kind of neat, actually. I think the boys deserved all the attention they got. They represented Hawaii the best they could."
One of the youngest Rainbow fans didn't make the trip to Los Angeles but was at the airport to greet his favorite player, Yuval Katz. Eythan Nakamura said he likes volleyball, prompted by the enthusiasm of his aunts, Keri and Bari Nakasone.
When his aunts would say, "Yuval," Eythan would reply, "Katz."
Choosing Katz as his favorite might be because of what they have in common. Katz wears No. 2, Eythan's age.