TheBuzz
TheBuzz
The University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine (it's still OK to say that, right?) athletic program is preparing to end its year-long 30th anniversary celebration with a huge scholarship fund-raising dinner. Wahine team of
a different varietyA committee of prominent Honolulu businesswomen called "Team Wahine" has been working to ensure the dinner's financial success by selling corporate tables ranging from $1,500 to $5,000. Individual tickets are $100. The goal for the endowment campaign is $250,000 with proceeds to fund 105 annual scholarships over the next decade.
"I have no doubt they're going to fill that (1,180-seat) room," said UH Athletic Department representative Dannette Hose. "There's a lot of support for this event."
It will be May 2 at the Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Corporate support from Finance Factors and Anheuser-Busch Hawaii has backed the commemoration all year long.
"We are thrilled at what Team Wahine has accomplished so far," said Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano, UH-Manoa assistant athletic director. She credits the fund-raising team with providing future Rainbow Wahine athletes educational funding as well as another example of teamwork.
Tesoro Hawaii President Faye Kurren also praised the work of her business colleagues. "This is a great way to invest in women athletes at our university and in our community." Kurren is "head coach" of Team Wahine.
Prominence abounds in reviewing other names affiliated with the anniversary.
Former state Rep. Eve Anderson and Dr. Donnis Thompson, the program's first athletic director, are honorary chairwomen for the yearlong celebration.
Bearing those titles for the dinner are first lady Vicky Cayetano and Rep. Patsy Mink. "She authored Title IX," Hose said. The legislation ensures gender equity in athletic programs.
Reservations for the dinner are being accepted at the UH Intercollegiate Athletics office at 956-4325.
Rainbow Wahine athletics' humble beginnings date to 1972 with 20 athletes in two sports; volleyball and track. Now the University of Hawaii produces national championships, nationally ranked players and post-season participation in various sports.
On a casual note
One would need a superhuman appetite to get the dinner tab to $100 at Lucarelli's at Restaurant Row this month.The Italian eatery which opened in October is offering 50 percent off its dinner menu from 4 to 6 p.m. through the month of March, said Assistant Manager Kelly Brimhall.
"We have a great product," she said. "We just want more people to know we're here."
Erika Engle is a reporter with the Star-Bulletin.
Call 529-4302, fax 529-4750 or write to Erika Engle,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu, HI 96813. She can also be reached
at: eengle@starbulletin.com