The University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Rainbow Wahine soccer team opened its fall campaign on the Manoa campus after the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex was deemed unplayable.
Playing through a temporary venue
Coach Michele Nagamine said the team will eventually return to Waipio, but the early schedule forces the Rainbow Wahine to conduct their first seven matches on campus, a situation she described as a test of resilience.
City officials have cited a combination of inclement weather, irrigation leaks and electrical faults as the root causes of the field’s instability, prompting the university to erect temporary bleachers to seat fans during home games.
The Rainbow Wahine’s inaugural contest is scheduled for August 13 against Texas Tech, and local television will begin broadcasting the game on August 16 at 3:30 p.m., marking the first public telecast of the season.
Nagamine emphasized that the team will not allow the temporary setting to diminish its competitive edge, stating that the players remain focused on delivering strong performances despite the logistical hurdles.