This may be a first in the history of college football: a commando raid for a home game. Warriors’ stop on Maui
on Sept. 8 is just long
enough for a gameBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comFor its Sept. 8 season-opener on Maui, the University of Hawaii football team will fly in, play Montana, and fly out all in the same day.
The Warriors will go the charter flight route for the 6:05 p.m. game at War Memorial Stadium.
Ticket sales for the game -- which is not part of the season-ticket package -- have been relatively slow to date. But UH officials still expect a sellout at the 20,000-capacity stadium.
Warriors head coach June Jones is on the Valley Isle this weekend, trying to drum up some excitement and ticket sales.
Fans from Oahu can go the hit-and-run route, too. Panda Travel is offering a $99 one-day package ($128 including game ticket) that includes air and ground transportation to and from War Memorial. The flight leaves Oahu at 4 p.m. and returns right after the game.
Pigskin profit: Na Koa booster club president and Murphy's Bar & Grill proprietor Don Murphy reports a record haul of $108,000 from Thursday's Pigskin Pigout, breaking last year's mark by $6,000 for the Warriors' annual fundraiser. The money goes toward the football team's training table expenses.
Some big-ticket auction items fetched up to several thousand dollars apiece. But Murphy said the most gratifying donation was when an elderly man came in the morning after the event with a $100 donation expecting nothing in return.
Over the past six years, the Pigskin Pigout has raised $450,000 for UH football.
The Hunter: Strength coach Mel deLaura said defensive lineman Wayne Hunter has been impressive in the weightroom this summer.
Hunter, a Radford graduate who transferred to Hawaii from California, is expected to help solidify the Warriors at either defensive end or tackle.
The 6-foot-6, 280-pound sophomore sat out last season after transferring. He played in 10 of 11 games for Cal as a true freshman in 1999.
In-Vince-able: So what is it about junior guard Vince Manuwai that makes him so special UH is touting him for All-America honors?
Offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said the 6-2, 249-pound former Farrington player is smart, tough and strong -- necessities for any offensive lineman.
But what really sets him apart, Cavanaugh said, is Manuwai's balance.
"Everybody gets caught leaning the wrong way once in awhile," Cavanaugh said. "Vince is such a good athlete with such great balance that he is able to react quickly enough and still make his block in that situation."
Here and there: Fall practice begins Aug. 13 as new players check in, with veterans joining them later in the week. ... The football media guide has been printed and will be available for sale to the general public in early August. ... Former UH player Lopaka Ornellas is the team's new video coordinator.