The University of Hawaiʻi football team has unveiled a new uniform that features a Hawaiian Airlines Pualani patch, marking the first time a college football program has carried the airline's branding.
The collaboration between UH Athletics and Hawaiian Airlines stretches back more than three decades, evolving from a modest support arrangement into a formal partnership that now includes charter flights for every road game.
Athletics Director Matt Elliott said the chartered flights are designed to improve travel logistics and give student‑athletes better preparation for competition on the mainland and neighboring islands.
Head coach Timmy Chang, whose mother spent three decades working for Hawaiian Airlines, described the partnership as both personally meaningful and strategically valuable for the program.
The new jerseys display the airline's distinctive logo on the left shoulder, a design that will be visible throughout the upcoming season as the team travels to mainland and island venues.
A legacy of partnership
The airline's long‑standing involvement with the Rainbow Warriors reflects a broader trend of regional brands aligning with collegiate sports to enhance visibility and community ties.
Fans can expect to see the Pualani emblem on the field as the team opens its season, signaling a continued blend of tradition and progress in the program's approach to competition.
The arrangement also underscores the growing emphasis on athlete experience, as improved travel conditions are linked to better on‑field performance and preparation.