Leis of remembrance
The University of Hawai‘i women's soccer squad has turned a simple craft into a profound act of solidarity, weaving fresh blossoms into leis that will travel to Lahaina to honor those lost in the recent wildfires.
Guided by Kahala Rowe, sister of associate head coach Ula Rowe, the players embraced the Hawaiian practice of lei‑making, arranging leaves with intention and focusing on positive mana, the spiritual energy that surrounds each gesture.
Each athlete crafted two leis, a personal offering that will be carried to Maui and placed at memorials marking the August 8, 2023, anniversary of the disaster, serving as a tangible reminder of the community’s resilience.
A match of commemoration
The team’s schedule adds a layer of meaning to their upcoming exhibition against Seattle University on Sunday, a match that will double as a commemorative event for the fire’s victims, before the regular season opens on August 13 against Texas Tech.
Nine seniors from the roster have graduated from high schools across the state, including midfielder Leila Kahoano, who after the fires volunteered at Baldwin High School in Wailuku, listening to survivors’ stories of loss and rebuilding.
Kahoano’s reflections on the testimonies she gathered reinforced the squad’s commitment to support the affected families, and she applied Rowe’s teachings on intention not only to lei‑making but to broader life values.
With the first seven home games shifted to the on‑campus field while the Waipi‘o Peninsula Soccer Complex undergoes relocation, the team remains focused on the symbolic gesture and the upcoming season’s challenges.