Sidelines
EVAN Dobelle, the new University of Hawaii president, likes big plans and bold statements. Especially when it comes to sports. Think big, Dobelle—
bring back the ’BowsA 60,000 seat stadium! The Pac-10! National titles in every sport!
Is this realistic? Well, no. Of course not. But then, most dreams aren't. That's why they're called dreams. (The Pac-10 adding UH? Why in the world would they do that?)
But let Dobelle have his visions. It's good to have goals, even if they're out-of-reach goals. If he gets half of what he asks for, he's raised the bar. His plans may sound crazy, but if you meet him partway, he's already won.
So if Mr. Dobelle is looking for ideas, let's give him one. Let's look at something you can actually do, and not just talk about. Dobelle has said UH should not be bound by past policies. UH should take action that makes sense, he said.
Remember the quick strike turnaround, the widely applauded leadership with the Fresno State refunds?
Here's the chance to do it again. Only bigger. And better.
Bring back the wearing of the green, Mr. Dobelle.
Bring back the rainbow.
This would be a big, splashy, much publicized, much talked about move.
It makes sense.
This is a chance to do something positive.
A horde of Rainbow fans who had been alienated by the former no-sense policy would be eternally grateful.
It's the Fresno State refunds all over again, Mr. Dobelle. But much, much, much, much bigger.
And it's not just something to dream and promise. It's something to do.
FANS, this is a man who has shown that he wants to make a mark, who is not afraid to show that this is a new era. A guy who is ready to throw established ideas out the window, and step on a few toes. You want your rainbow back? Let Dobelle know. Change is in the air. Now is the time it could happen.
It was a daring, gutsy, visionary move to dress the Rainbows in black and change the football nickname. Give UH credit for trying something new. It was a gamble.
But it was a mistake.
It was wrong.
You don't do that. You don't sell your soul to market research. You don't change yourself to please an audience that doesn't exist -- at the expense of the people who already love you for who you are.
Fans hold an emotional investment in their teams. You don't throw that away in hopes of selling a few new T-shirts.
(And even that wasn't much of an argument. Couldn't the Rainbows' unique name and bright colors be "marketed" just as well?)
Green with rainbow trim. Orange in the baseball ensemble. Bring back the name. Bring back the heritage. Bring back the Rainbows.
You want to do something big, Mr. Dobelle? You want to show who's in charge? You want to throw out "past politics," to make a stand for common sense?
Here's your big chance.
Kalani Simpson's column runs Sundays, Tuesdays and Fridays.
He can be reached at ksimpson@starbulletin.com