The Dana Takahara-Dias era of Rainbow Wahine basketball at the Stan Sheriff Center begins tonight against Hawaii Pacific in a 7 p.m. exhibition.

After two weeks of practice, which doubled as conditioning drills in her up-and-down offense, the new coach is anxious to see how her team performs on the defensive end against Jeff Harada's Sea Warriors.

“;I'm excited for the team. I think it will be a wonderful test,”; Takahara-Dias said. “;We've been working very hard on defense. Obviously, we don't have many (offensive) things in, but we do hope to execute well.”;

The Wahine have two solid weeks after tonight to prepare for their regular season road opener at UC Riverside on Nov. 17. Fans should get a good look at them now; UH won't make its home debut until Nov. 27 against Arizona State, four games into the season.

Guards Keisha Kanekoa and Leilani Galdones, forwards Breanna Arbuckle and Allie Patterson and center Rebecca Dew have been the most consistent first-teamers at practices.

Freshman guard Shawna Kuehu will play tonight after missing some practice time with a concussion. Senior forward Dita Liepkalne is still rehabbing a leg injury.

Tickets are $7 for adults, and parking is $5. Students get in free. There is no radio or TV coverage.