Earlier this season, Hawaii head coach Greg McMackin said “;trust”; had become a theme for the Warriors.

It's a concept he's applied to the week leading up to the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl.

Although the Warriors did relocate in a sense, checking into the Moana Surfrider for bowl week, this year's bowl trip to Waikiki is certainly far removed from last year's trek to New Orleans for the Sugar Bowl.

Still there are lessons that can be taken from the team's last bowl experience.

“;Even though Coach is not giving us curfews at night, a lot of guys aren't going out because we know the game is first and we have to win it,”; senior linebacker Solomon Elimimian said during yesterday's Hawaii Bowl press conference at the Sheraton Waikiki.

“;I think that experience last year will help us get prepared and focused for the game. It's all about business and the fun part is actually winning.”;

The Warriors' game against Notre Dame on Christmas Eve will be their third straight postseason appearance, and McMackin said the upperclassmen have kept the team in line over the course of the campaign.

“;We've got a real mature football team,”; McMackin said. “;We've had six road trips all over the country ... and we haven't had any problems at all. I want them to have fun, but they know what they have to do.

“;I've treated them like pros and like men, and they've reacted that way.”;

Tickets moving

More than 40,000 tickets have been issued for the Hawaii Bowl, executive director David Matlin said yesterday.

The rate of sales has the Christmas Eve bowl approaching its record of 43,435 set in 2006 for the game between Hawaii and Arizona State.

Seattle bound

The Warriors' game at Washington State next season will be played in Seattle, school officials confirmed yesterday. The game will remain on Sept. 12.

UH athletic director Jim Donovan said the move will make the trip more convenient for fans traveling from Hawaii. The turnout could also be boosted by the growing number of former Hawaii residents who have relocated to the Seattle area.

The Washington State game is the front end of a two-game road trip. The Warriors play at UNLV the following week.

Irish idled

Notre Dame's departure from South Bend, Ind., was delayed yesterday due to an ice storm in the area. The new itinerary had them arriving close to midnight after a layover in Los Angeles. The Fighting Irish are scheduled to hold a closed practice at Aloha Stadium this morning.

Welcome aboard

As Hawaii prepares for its final game of 2008, the incoming class for the 2009 season has begun to take shape.

UH has received signed letters of intent from four junior college transfers who had previously given oral commitments to the Warriors, with a fifth also expected to arrive. The mid-year transfers will enroll in school next month and participate in spring practice to get a jump on next season.

The Warriors signed offensive lineman Brett Leonard of Saddleback (Calif.) College, defensive lineman David Hafoka of College of San Mateo (Calif.) and cornerbacks Lametrius Davis of Butte (Calif.) College and Melvin Hopkins of Navarro (Texas) College. Navarro receiver Rodney Bradley is also expected to sign for the spring semester.

The Warriors will have to wait until February, when the signing period opens, to officially assemble the rest of their recruiting class.