TheBuzz
TheBuzz
An outsourced
UH warriorThe University of Hawaii and crowd-pleaser Vili Fehoko have reached a renewable three-year agreement that will have the multilingual Polynesian warrior appear at UH events.
"He's not the official mascot," said Lois Manin, director of media relations for UH athletics. Rather, his job is to represent the UH Athletic Department as "The Warrior" at selected events.
This is Fehoko's third year appearing at UH Football games where he literally and figuratively drums up the crowd's spirits.
He has also appeared at other UH sporting events and has traveled with teams.
Fehoko will take his crowd-stirring warrior routine to athletic events for $400 per appearance, according to Paul Costello, UH vice president for external affairs. The talent fee compares to $150 to $200 for two hours of master of ceremonies services by a radio personality or up to thousands of dollars for a performance by headlining local recording artists.
He was previously paid on a sort of freelance basis.
The personal services contract does not exclude Fehoko from making outside appearances.
Employed by the Polynesian Cultural Center for nearly 20 years until earlier this year, the 37-year-old Fehoko, his wife, Linda, and former UH football star Dan Robinson have established BigVil Productions Inc.
The company will serve as a conduit for endorsement and licensing, general sales, marketing and management activities, according to state business registration records.
Following Fehoko's appearance at the NFL Pro Bowl, the National Football League has an agreement with Fehoko for a Warrior trading card. It is to be part of a package of cards and other premiums for internal NFL distribution.
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