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Stephanie Salmons

Real Estate

Honolulu-based Alexander & Baldwin will become a private company in a $2.3 billion deal set to close early next year.

A&B, the only publicly traded real estate investment trust focused solely on Hawai‘i commercial real estate, 

 it had entered into a “definitive merger agreement” wherein a joint venture group that includes MW Group, a privately held Honolulu-based, commercial real estate developer, with funding from Blackstone Real Estate and DivcoWest, will acquire all outstanding A&B common shares.

President and CEO Lance Parker said in the Dec. 8 announcement that the company is taking “an important step toward our long-term vision for A&B as stewards of Hawai'i's premier commercial real estate.”

“As a private company supported by the deep real estate expertise and experience of our new ownership group, A&B will have greater capacity to serve its tenants and communities. In our next chapter, we will continue focusing on real estate that supports the daily lives of residents, overseeing our properties with care and remaining steadfast in our role as partners for Hawai'i,"

A&B is the largest owner of grocery-anchored shopping centers in the Islands, owning, operating and managing about 4 million square feet of commercial space. That includes 21 retail centers, 14 industrial and four office properties, along with the fee simple interest in 146 acres of ground-lease assets.

As part of the transaction, shareholders will receive $21.20 per share in cash for each share of A&B 

 they own, the announcement said, a 40% premium to the stock’s closing price on Dec. 8.

According to the announcement, the transaction was unanimously approved by A&B’s 

 and is set to close in the first quarter of 2026, pending “customary closing conditions, including approval by the company’s shareholders.” Once complete, A&B’s common stock will no longer be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

The board is chaired by Eric Yeaman, founder and managing partner of Hoku Capital LLC, and includes directors Shelee Kimura, president and CEO of Hawaiian Electric Co.; Diana Laing, retired chief financial officer of American Homes 4 Rent; John Leong, co-founder and CEO of Kupu and Pono Pacific Land Management, LLC; Lance Parker; and Douglas Pasquale, founder and CEO of Capstone Enterprises Corp., the A&B website notes.

“We're pleased to reach this agreement, which delivers significant, immediate and certain value to our shareholders while strengthening A&B's ability to serve the diverse needs of communities across Hawai'i," Yeaman said in the announcement. "The Board is confident that today's news is in the best interests of all of A&B's stakeholders. It delivers a substantial cash premium for shareholders and long-term benefits for our valued employees, tenants and communities."

, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Parker wrote that the unanimous decision meant that he, too, "voted in support of this new direction because we believe it is the right step for A&B's long-term success."

"As a company geographically focused in a local market, the structure and pressures of the public markets are not ideally suited to where A&B is today or where we aspire to go," he wrote. "As a private company, we won’t have to worry about moving the stock price, we can simply focus on strengthening the company, supported by partners who share our vision for Hawaiʻi’s future."

Following the closure of the deal, A&B will keep its name, brand and Honolulu headquarters, and will continue to be led by a Hawai‘i-based team, the announcement said. 

In an email to Aloha State Daily, A&B says that the new ownership group has been "highly impressed by the full A&B team through this process, and our depth of local expertise is one of the reasons they were eager to partner with us in this transaction."

As it relates to specific leadership roles, A&B says that many details still need to be determined and relevant updates will be provided, as appropriate, throughout the process.

For employees, it's "business as usual at A&B as we work to complete this transaction," the company says.

The investor group also intends to spend more than $100 million “to enhance the properties and reinforce their essential role in the communities they serve,” the announcement noted.

In the same email to ASD, the investor group says it is committed to maintaining A&B's properties "at high standards of quality for tenants and community members," but did not elaborate what that $100 million investment might entail.

When asked about what this means for existing commercial tenants, A&B says that the transaction has no impact on its day-to-day operations or how it works with tenants.

"Following the close of the transaction, we expect to continue operating largely as we do today, with the benefit of being supported by the deep real estate expertise and experience of our new ownership group," A&B noted.

A&B got its start more than 150 years ago, when childhood friends Samuel Alexander and Henry Baldwin established a sugar-growing partnership on Maui in 1870. The company was one of the “

” companies that dominated Hawai‘i’s political and economic landscape in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can find more of the 

In recent years, though, the company pivoted its focus to Hawai‘i commercial real estate.

, one of the state’s largest asphalt paving contractors, materials and construction companies, to locally owned construction company Nan, Inc.

 and its sale marked the “culmination of A&B’s simplification strategy, allowing us to sharpen our focus on our core business a s the preeminent commercial real estate company in Hawai‘i,” Parker said in a statement 

More recently, A&B in August broke ground on a project at its 

 in Kapolei. An announcement at that time noted the project, which replaces an existing 16,000-square-foot building on 5.7 acres, includes the construction of two Class A industrial buildings totaling some 121,000 square feet of gross leasable area.

As for the investor group, MW Group, Ltd. has led the acquisition, development and management of a $1 billion-plus portfolio that includes retail, industrial, office, self-storage facilities and senior assisted living facilities.

Blackstone, meanwhile, is the largest owner of commercial real estate globally. Its current Hawai‘i hospitality holdings include the Grand Wailea; The Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua; and King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel. The company also owns rental housing on O‘ahu, including The Element near the University of Hawai‘i — West O‘ahu and Kapolei Lofts.

DivcoWest is a real estate investment firm headquartered in San Francisco that, along with its predecessor, has, since its inception in 1993, acquired about 61 million square feet of commercial space, largely throughout the U.S.

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Alexander Baldwin Building 013125

<title>Alexander & Baldwin to become private in $2.3B deal</title>

President and CEO Lance Parker said in a Dec. 8 announcement that the company is taking “an important step toward our long-term vision for A&B as stewards of Hawai'i's premier commercial real estate.”

Alexander & Baldwin to become private in $2.3B deal

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

It was a game created with the University of Hawai‘i football team in mind. 

In 2001, Hawai‘i went 9-3, ending its regular season with a resounding 72-45 victory over BYU at a sold-out Aloha Stadium. Yet when bowl season arrived, there was no slot available for UH. That led to the creation of the Hawai‘i Bowl, which debuted in 2002. 

Despite getting first dibs on the game every year since, there have been more Hawai‘i Bowls without Hawai‘i (12) than Hawai‘i Bowls that featured the Rainbow Warriors (9) prior to 2025. Some exceptions on UH's end include a Sugar Bowl bid after going 12-0 in 2007. Additionally, the Hawai‘i Bowl was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 'Bows were set to play Memphis in the 2021 Hawai‘i Bowl but withdrew a day before the game because of a COVID outbreak within the team. 

The significance of making a bowl game has not been lost among the 2025 Rainbow Warriors, who will 

 on Dec. 24 at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex at 3 p.m. 

Hawai‘i hasn't played in the Hawai‘i Bowl since 2019, back when it outlasted BYU 38-34 at Aloha Stadium. It would be the last game Nick Rolovich coached at UH before departing for Washington State. Rolovich will be on the opposite sideline on Dec. 24 as Cal's interim head coach. 

Because of the gap between Hawai‘i Bowl appearances, the game will be a brand new experience for members of the team. 

"It's a bowl game that I kind of expected to play in every year," safety 

 told Aloha State Daily. "But things just don't happen that way. Just grateful that we do get to play my senior year.

"This is super rewarding for us. This past week, just sitting back and getting some time to think about what the next steps are in my career and my future, I just couldn't get over the fact that I wanted to play one more game. And we're blessed to have the opportunity to be in Hawai‘i Bowl, staying home and playing one last game in front of our fans."

As a result of making the bowl game, the Rainbow Warriors are allotted an additional 15 practices. Come bowl week, some perks for the 'Bows will include a gift package and extra nights at the team hotel. 

Merely taking the field on Christmas Eve will illustrate another important step in the program's rebuild under head coach 

, who as a player for UH won two Hawai‘i Bowl MVPs. The Rainbow Warriors have improved their record each year under Chang, going from 3-10 to 2022 to staying in the Mountain West championship race until the final weekend of the regular season in 2025.

"It means a lot, being here for the past [five] years now and just seeing the program just really turn around, and what coach Chang and the rest of the coaches have brought to us players, it's been great. And to finish it off in this way, it's gonna be great," said senior receiver Karsyn Pupunu, a Lahaina native. "This has been a childhood dream of mine to play here for the home state, and just having a great leader like coach Chang to just turn around the whole culture of what we have here in Hawai‘i, and trying to bring it back to the good old days. We've tried to replicate that, and I feel like we're heading the right direction."

Pupunu is one of the few members of the team remaining from the 2021 squad. Back then, a turbulent offseason under head coach Todd Graham, who was picked by David Matlin to replace Rolovich, led to Graham's resignation in January 2022. Graham's departure led to a job search that called Chang home, though he was tasked with a roster rebuild that included bringing in over 50 newcomers in his first season. 

"That was a long season for sure," Pupunu says of the 2021 campaign. "I was on the development side. But this season has been a fun experience, and I'm glad that this team has worked for it, and we've earned it, and we just gotta go out there and play the right game."

Rolovich will patrol the Cal sidelines on Dec. 24 before handing off the reins to Tosh Lupoi, which the school chose as the permanent head coach earlier in the month. Additionally, the Bears are led by star freshman quarterback 

, a Campbell alumnus, who recently committed to returning to Berkeley for another year rather than test the waters in the transfer portal. 

"I haven't heard much about what people are talking about, but I'm pretty sure they would be talking about the offensive side of the ball. So, as a defense, we just got to do our job. We probably aren't going to be talked about unless we do good," says Manuma, a fellow Campbell alum. "It's going to be a great game. There's a great team in Cal that's coming in. Jaron is a great quarterback. Everybody knows it. We see it, and it's just all about us enjoying each other as a team one last time, enjoying each other's company, and during the last two and a half weeks that we have together more so than our opponents. 

"Although we are getting a great team in Cal, I think [motivation] will come from ourselves and the relationships that we continue to build on this team."

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Hawaii football 120925

<title>UH looks to capitalize on first Hawai‘i Bowl since 2019</title>

Members of the team are relishing the opportunity to play in their hometown bowl game.

UH looks to capitalize on first Hawai‘i Bowl since 2019

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

 is stocked with a variety of holiday treats, including its festive cinnamon white chocolate dipped combo boxes ($22.50 at Ala Moana Center), dark chocolate-covered peppermint brownies ($22 at Ala Moana Center), peppermint white dipped Kona mocha shortbread ($22.50 at Ala Moana Center) and bite-sized gingerbread cookies ($13.50 at Ala Moana Center). Prices vary online and at Big Island Candies’ Hilo store.

The shop is also offering gift boxes with assorted shortbread cookies and brownies.

This weekend only — Dec. 13 and 14 — the biz is partnering with local ice cream shop 

The limited-time treat ($9 each) features creamy chocolate fudge ice cream swirled with peppermint chips and topped with nuts, bits of Big Island Candies’ dark chocolate covered peppermint brownies and Thrills’ housemade vanilla bean crème brulee.

The dessert features a refreshing mint flavor coupled with decadent brownie bits and the caramelized crème brulee topping.

[{"type":"text","text":"The treat will be available while supplies last."}]

Open 5-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 1-10 p.m. Fridays-Sundays

Specialty Big Island Candies dessert available Dec. 13 and 14

Big Island Candies and Thrills collab dessert 120925

<title>You can get this specialty peppermint treat for a limited time</title>

Big Island Candies and local ice cream shop Thrills Soft Serve are partnering to create a holiday dessert. On Dec. 13 and 14 only, customers can enjoy a creamy chocolate fudge ice cream dessert topped with bits of Big Island Candies’ dark chocolate covered peppermint brownies.

You can get this specialty peppermint treat for a limited time

IMG 1445

Rick Hamada

Bill 42 (2025) CD1 - RELATING TO TAXIS - Repeals various fares and charges provisions that apply to taxicab companies and drivers. Allows fares and charges to apply when a taxicab is hired. Allows taxicab drivers and taxicab companies to pass on (sic) taxes and third-party fees to passengers. Requires a report from the CSD Director.

This is the official title of legislation meandering through the Honolulu City Council, which is the latest in the ongoing discussion and debate between two prolific adversaries. Not since the Romans and the Jews, dogs against cats and the Bears vs. the Slackers (oh, alright, the Packers - they still suck) has there ever been a battle of such biblical proportion.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"YES!"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"Taxis V. Uber\/Lyft."}]

And, of course, you're caught in the middle.

I'm giving you a heads up. This is not a definitive journalistic piece on the 

 of legislative analysis. Nor is this in any way an attempt to sway public or political commentary. This is simply the opinion of a columnist who has taken various modes of international transportation, and I'm simply rendering my perspective based on countless of hours in the back seat of both taxis and rideshares and thousands of dollars of questionable expenditures for the aforementioned services.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"But first. "}]

A minimal amount of legislative analysis which will sway nobody at all.

The fundamental argument levied against Uber/Lyft entering the Hawaiʻi market in August of 2013 was that rideshare enjoyed virtual unregulation posing unfair competition for traditional taxi services. Since the beginning, Uber/Lyft was a hit with consumers for it's cost and the convenience using tech to made it more attractive than a cab. It's important to note that traditional taxis enjoyed business from a cliental who preferred a tradition they embraced.

This debate ensured across the nation as rideshare companies were subjected to similar legal challenges with varying degrees of success. One aspect was regulatory authority at the state level and Hawaiʻi had it's own strategy to be involved although we were one of the last states to do so. 

Rideshare services are governed while acknowledging they are different from traditional taxi providers. These companies must maintain specific insurances coverage levels, and their drivers must meet set criteria for background checks and vehicle upkeep. (

However, this city council bill consideration focuses on rates that you must pay for these services.

The taxi industry has been controlled by government law defining what a company can charge. Perhaps this was a necessity when taxis were the only game in town. Regardless, price controls levied on industries in general are a very bad idea. Consider a recent UHERO report that states government regulations comprise up to 30% additional cost to residential construction. Want affordable housing? Start with de-regulation.

It's this consistent position that is the center of Bill 42 (2025) CD1.

It's to abolish governmental price controls specifically on the traditional taxicab industry.

The bill would theoretically create a more level playing field freeing up pricing options for taxis creating competition in the marketplace. 

I say theoretically because the chances are great that inevitably something will get screwed up.

Let's assume pricing does become more competitive. Logically other ancillary parts of the customer experience become more relevant and important.

Here's a very subjective and biased assessment of these services.

The Uber app is the bomb. I have the Lyft but I find Uber is easier to navigate. The range of riders are many, the time of pick-up to destination arrival is a bit flawed but pretty consistent. All driver and vehicle information is posted plus direct communication with the driver is in real time. You can request the style of vehicle from basic to ultra-premium or larger for more utilitarian uses. Have a dispute? The online customer service is accessible with timely responses and agreeable resolutions. Pricing is fair and, yes, there is surge pricing when demand is greater. However, as a frequent customer, I receive discount surge pricing and the benefits I cited make up for the spotty additional costs.

A big advantage for taxis is the ability to hail either from stands or the streets. Immediate service. But these opportunities are fewer and far between. 

One of the most frustrating is the taxi access at Honolulu Airport. Let's just say whatever the system is, it's no bueno. Again, a columnist's subjective opinion that's based on other airports on the mainland and globally. Examples? Vegas, San Francisco, Sea-Tac, Paris, Gerald Ford in Grand Rapids, MI and Cozumel, Mexico. We attract up to 8 million visitors per year via HNL and we have a lack of easily accessible cabs and rideshare is buried in the second floor parking with virtually no signage. HNL, serve your customers. Expletives deleted.

Most taxis but not all accept credit/debit cards. In our increasingly cashless society, this is a definite benefit. It would be better if prospective riders knew this was for all cabs. Assisting those who require assistance is a noble trait steeped in the tradition of taxis. I'll cite Dale Evans, owner, of Charley's Taxi who is renowned for this essential service. Rideshare may provide, too, but time on the job is a quality that cannot be discounted.

Finally, personal transportation provided by taxis and rideshares. This is for both of you.

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"}],"text":"And for riders:"}]

This an opportunity for "Rick You're Right or Rick You're Wrong." Please, share your thoughts with 

Georgi zvezdov Eqp06k Y8 Cu8 unsplash

<title>Hamada: Debate on Hawaiʻi's taxis and rideshares</title>

Some thoughts about the Honolulu City Council's legislation aimed at giving traditional taxi services an even playing field against Uber and Lyft. Plus, tips for drivers and riders.

Hamada: Debate on Hawaiʻi's taxis and rideshares

[{"type":"text","text":"Ring in the holidays with these festive pop-ups across O‘ahu:"}]

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Grinchmas Bar"}]

 features festive decorations and lights. Seasonal cocktails ($16 each) include The Grinch, Jack Frost, gingerbread martinis, spiked hot cocoa and more. 

: Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m. to midnight Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"MAKANA"}]

: ‘Alohilani Resort Waikīkī Beach, 2490 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu 

i holiday pop-up bar features an immersive holiday environment with festive décor, warm lights and tropical greenery. Located at the resort’s Oceanarium Lounge, the pop-up is designed for attendees ages 21 years and older, and features a line-up of themed holiday cocktails.

Valet ($15) and self-parking available for up to three hours for attendees. 

: 4-10 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays, 4 p.m. to midnight Fridays-Saturdays through Jan. 1, 2026 (grand opening Dec. 9)

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Spirits of the Season"}]

: Prince Waikīkī, 100 Holomoana St., Honolulu 

: Prince Waikīkī’s Spirits of the Season menu features creative cocktails from some of Honolulu’s top mixologists. Guests can find these expertly crafted cocktails at both, 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar and the resort’s Hinana Bar.

Several of the featured mixologists will be on-site at 100 Sails Restaurant & Bar from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 8, 9 and 15. 

princewaikiki.com/dine/spirits-of-the-season/

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Christmas Bar Hawaiʻi"}]

 is tucked away within Tiki’s Grill & Bar. The pop-up is known for its festive drinks and over-the-top décor.

Enjoy new beverages like Very Merry Spritz ($22), Minty Express ($19), Santa’s Nightcap ($21) and Campfire Old Fashioned ($19).

No reservations are accepted; first-come, first-served. 

: Open 2-11:30 p.m. weekdays, noon to 11:30 p.m. on weekends until Dec. 30

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Christmas Lodge"}]

: The Christmas Lodge pop-up is located in the former Chili’s space at Pearlridge Center. It features a cozy ski lodge theme; attendees must be age 21 years and older. This year, you can expect more seating, updated drinks, and crowd favorites like Butter Beer.

If you enjoy spooky vibes, ask to visit the Krampus Lair speakeasy, which is in a hidden section of The Christmas Lodge. You can find beers and the speakeasy’s exclusive Zombie drink. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Naughty List Lounge"}]

What: The Boardroom Kailua’s holiday pop-up bar features tasty specials and seasonal drinks. Specials include housemade local butternut squash soup ($16), housemade loaded bacon and potato soup ($16), 14-ounce prime rib with house chimichurri ($62) and desserts (all $12) like housemade holiday ube cheesecake, orange rosemary crème brulee, handmade apple pie empanadas and more.

Holiday cocktails include Santa’s Night Cap ($15), French Kiss ($16), White Christmas Cosmo ($16), Sleigh Queen ($16) and The Nice List ($16). Celebratory bottles of bubbles ($35) will also be available. 

: 5 p.m. to closing Wednesdays to Sundays; guests can make reservations via Yelp 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"The Winter Garden Room"}]

: Romer House Waikīkī, 415 Nahua St., Honolulu 

: While it’s not necessarily a cocktail bar, the Winter Garden Room is a seasonally transformed private dining room where attendees can enjoy 855-ALOHA’s full food menu. Guests are invited to enjoy live acoustic Christmas music, “snowfall,” the eatery’s holiday cocktail (The White Christmas margarita) and The Lei Stand’s holiday cocktail (Rum-Rum Rudolph Eggnog).

Romer House Waikīkī is hosting its Sparkle & Shine event in The Winter Garden Room on Dec. 14. Tickets cost $89 per person; this event will include Osetra caviar, chilled oysters, charcuterie, live holiday music by Cory Oliveros and “snowfall” every 30 minutes from 5:15 to 7:45 p.m. 

: “Snowfall” will be available daily at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. nightly until Dec. 31

 for more information about Sparkle and Shine

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Valor Hawaiʻi"}]

i (located at Pearlridge Center’s Wai Makai food court) just launched its holiday cocktail menu.

Enjoy new drinks like Koloa cane fire shot ($9), Grinch Punch ($12), peppermint espresso martini ($12), fig Old Fashioned ($13), Jack Frost ($12) and Abuelita’s hot cocoa ($12). 

: 12 to 10 p.m. daily (11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays) until Dec. 31

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Winter Wonderland"}]

: 1450 Ala Moana Blvd. Space 1310, Honolulu 

: This Christmas-themed pop-up bar will be open in the former Surfers Bakery space at Ala Moana Center. You can look forward to holiday drinks, festive surprises and dreamy décor. 

[{"type":"text","marks":[{"type":"textStyle"},{"type":"bold"}],"text":"Yules Truly"}]

: Yours Truly, a cocktail bar tucked away in Downtown Honolulu, gets a festive makeover and transforms to Yules Truly during the holidays.

Enjoy speakeasy-exclusive drinks like Oh Pear Tree ($18), Ginger Gentleman ($18) and Jingle Java ($18). In the speakeasy, guests can place their orders by filling out a postcard with their name and order, and receiving their cocktail through an assigned mailbox.

The lounge area also features exclusive drinks like North Pole Potion ($18) and Island Wonderland ($18).

: Now through Dec. 30 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) 

Holiday cocktails The Christmas Lodge 120425

<title>Christmas pop-ups to check out this holiday season</title>

No matter what vibe you’re going for, one of these Christmas bars is sure to satisfy.

Christmas pop-ups to check out this holiday season

In a game flush with storylines and Island ties, the Hawai‘i Bowl announced a matchup between the University of Hawai‘i and California on Thursday morning. 

Kickoff for the contest is set for 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. It will also be televised nationally on ESPN. 

The Rainbow Warriors enter the contest 8-4 overall, while the Bears are 7-5. Hawai‘i began its season with a 

, while Cal's 31-10 loss to Stanford on Nov. 22 led to the firing of head coach Justin Wilcox. 

Following Wilcox's removal, Nick Rolovich was named the interim head coach for the Bears. Rolovich, a former UH quarterback, was the head coach for the 'Bows from 2016 to 2019 before departing for Washington State. In his lone game as the interim head coach thus far, Cal defeated SMU 38-35 on Nov. 29, knocking the Mustangs out of ACC title contention. 

, hails from ‘Ewa Beach and won the starting job immediately for the Bears as a true freshman. Other Hawai‘i high school graduates on Cal's roster include defensive lineman 

Stanley Saole-McKenzie [Saint Louis], as well as 

safety Aiden Manutal and defensive lineman LeBron Williams [Kahuku]. 

UH coaches who spoke to the media following Thursday's practice said that the Hawai‘i ties on Cal's roster and coaching staff will not serve as any added motivation. 

"There's so much respect for Nick and and what he's done here at the University of Hawai‘i," said current Hawai‘i coach 

, Rolovich's teammate in 2000 and 2001. "My time spent with him, personally, there's so much that I've learned from him as a player and as a coach, and so I have the utmost respect for Coach Rolovich. And then when he was made the interim and we've been communicating, I know it was just all praise and just thankfulness. Told him just go make the most of his opportunities and he's been unbelievable. So happy for him. It's very exciting. It'll be a very exciting game."

Rolovich and Chang had separate stints as assistant coaches at Nevada where they coached against Hawai‘i. Neither has coached against the Rainbow Warriors as a head coach, but that will change in Rolovich's case on Dec. 24. Coincidentally, Rolovich's UH head coaching debut was a 51-31 loss to California in Australia. 

On Christmas Eve, the Rainbow Warriors will play in their first bowl game since 2020 and their first Hawai‘i Bowl since 2019. Back in 2020, the Hawai‘i Bowl was not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the Rainbow Warriors instead played in the New Mexico Bowl, held in Frisco, Texas, a 28-14 win over Houston. 

In 2021, the Rainbow Warriors were set to play Memphis in the Hawai‘i Bowl but a Covid-19 outbreak within the team forced the 'Bows to withdraw. 

In UH's last Hawai‘i Bowl, the Rainbow Warriors outlasted BYU 38-34 at Aloha Stadium on Dec. 24, 2019. Rolovich bolted for Washington State weeks later. It would also be the last time the Rainbow Warriors played in front of fans at Aloha Stadium, as the 'Bows played in an empty Aloha Stadium in a Covid-shortened season in 2020. Aloha Stadium was then condemned and deemed unsafe to hold fans of any sort, a major part in a process that led to planning towards a new stadium, 

currently targeted for the spring of 2029

. The 'Bows have played their home games on the UH-Mānoa campus ever since. 

"If you need storylines for this one to get your piss hot, then you can't be playing in this game," Hawai‘i defensive tackles coach Jeff Reinebold said. "It's just the way it is. This is a bowl game, ladies and gentlemen. When was the last time we had one where we participated on this Island? This is our bowl game, right? It's the Hawai‘i Bowl, right? This game was built for Hawai‘i because there were a lot of great Hawai‘i teams that never got to get to a bowl game. So, they created this game so that if we were a great team, we would be able to reward that team and play this game as well. Here we go, right? It's back to its roots."

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