MĀNOA — Less than 24 hours after winning its third national championship in six years, the University of Hawai‘i men's volleyball team received a hero's welcome upon arriving back to campus on Tuesday afternoon.
Dozens of loyal fans waited outside the Stan Sheriff Center to congratulate the Rainbow Warriors with hugs and lei. Among the fans were elementary-aged children who appeared to have otherwise been in school. By the looks of it, Hawai‘i head coach Charlie Wade had to remind himself what day of the week it was.
"I was thinking it was a Sunday, because that's usually when we return [from a typical road trip]. It dawned on me that it's a weekday and people are in school and working and stuff," he said. "So again, just super appreciative to have people come out and kind of share in our glory."
The first Rainbow Warrior off the bus was Louis Sakanoko, who received NCAA Tournament MVP honors with an all-around effort of 12 kills on 20 swings in addition to his six digs, three blocks and three assists in a four-set victory over UC Irvine.
Sakanoko, who was holding the national championship trophy, held on to it throughout the duration of a local media scrum.
"This thing is heavy," he remarked.
Members of the national championship UH men's volleyball team arrive back on campus on Tuesday. Photo by Christian Shimabuku (Aloha State Daily Staff) 
The University of Hawai‘i men's volleyball team received all kinds of fan support on Tuesday. Photo by Christian Shimabuku (Aloha State Daily Staff) 
NCAA Tournament MVP Louis Sakanoko says the team has already shifted its focus to repeating in 2027. (Aloha State Daily Staff)
No matter which city the team is on a given day, Sakanoko says the fan support it receives never ceases to amaze him. Tuesday was no different.
"It's impressive the level of love that we have everywhere we're going, people here are waiting for us and before us in Los Angeles. It's just crazy. We have the best crowd anywhere we're going, even in Columbus [during the 2025 NCAA Tournament]. It's so far away, and people are still coming to support us," Sakanoko said. "It's just all love, and we love it."
The Rainbow Warriors are set to make multiple public appearances in the days ahead. On Wednesday, a national championship celebration will be held inside of the Stan Sheriff Center. The arena doors open at 5:30 p.m., while the event begins at 6. While admission is free, parking at the UH-Mānoa structure will cost $10.
With only one senior on the 2026 team in backup setter Vladimir Kubr, the Rainbow Warriors have already set their sights on a repeat in 2027.
"Next year, we want to do it again," Sakanoko said.
Added Wade: "There'll be plenty of time to appreciate the win, but we're not going to get another one if we don't start working on it, like, today."
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
