Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
The University of Hawaii football team continued its game-week preparations Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s season opener at Stanford.
The matchup features a unique connection between the two programs, as Rainbow Warriors coach Timmy Chang and Cardinal coach Tavita Pritchard are former quarterbacks who have gone on to lead their respective alma maters. Both also have Polynesian heritage.
Saturday’s game will be designated as Stanford’s Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration Night. The Cardinal will wear special decals and apparel as part of a collaboration with Island Avenue.
Pritchard said the significance of the celebration adds another layer to the matchup, particularly with Hawaii’s roster featuring numerous players of Polynesian descent.
“I do think of it in the lead-up to the game, the motivation that comes along with that and the fact that we get to do it against Hawaii,” Pritchard said. “They have so many players of Polynesian descent.”
Pritchard also has a personal connection to Chang and the Hawaii program.
During Pritchard’s senior year at Stanford, he made an official visit to Hawaii and watched Chang, then the Rainbow Warriors’ starting quarterback, lead Hawaii to a victory over Michigan State at Aloha Stadium.
“I got to see him play,” Pritchard said. “They played Michigan State at home in Aloha Stadium. And I got to see him go off and send those guys off with a win in his senior year. So, yeah, I’ve got a special connection to Timmy, and I’ve got to kind of watch him. I have a ton of respect for him.”
Chang said he has known Pritchard for years and has admired his career as both a player and coach.
“I’ve known Tavita for a long time now,” Chang said. “He’s always been a great, straight-up guy, a great coach, great player. All the respect to him and what he’s done.”
Chang said Stanford and Hawaii are both working to establish their programs under their respective former quarterbacks.
“They’re trying to build something where they know what it looks like, very similar to what we are trying to build here,” Chang said. “I’m happy for him to just get the opportunity, and we look forward to the challenge. But what a great guy and what a great leader that Stanford has.”
The Rainbow Warriors and Cardinal kick off at 1 p.m. Hawaii time Saturday.
The game will be televised nationally on the ACC Network, with radio coverage available on ESPN Honolulu.
For continuing coverage, stay with KHON2 Sports on-air and online.
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
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The University of Hawaii football team continued its game-week preparations Wednesday ahead of Saturday’s season opener at Stanford.
The matchup features a unique connection between the two programs, as Rainbow Warriors coach Timmy Chang and Cardinal coach Tavita Pritchard are former quarterbacks who have gone on to lead their respective alma maters. Both also have Polynesian heritage.
Saturday’s game will be designated as Stanford’s Pacific Islander Heritage Celebration Night. The Cardinal will wear special decals and apparel as part of a collaboration with Island Avenue.
Pritchard said the significance of the celebration adds another layer to the matchup, particularly with Hawaii’s roster featuring numerous players of Polynesian descent.
“I do think of it in the lead-up to the game, the motivation that comes along with that and the fact that we get to do it against Hawaii,” Pritchard said. “They have so many players of Polynesian descent.”
Pritchard also has a personal connection to Chang and the Hawaii program.
During Pritchard’s senior year at Stanford, he made an official visit to Hawaii and watched Chang, then the Rainbow Warriors’ starting quarterback, lead Hawaii to a victory over Michigan State at Aloha Stadium.
“I got to see him play,” Pritchard said. “They played Michigan State at home in Aloha Stadium. And I got to see him go off and send those guys off with a win in his senior year. So, yeah, I’ve got a special connection to Timmy, and I’ve got to kind of watch him. I have a ton of respect for him.”
Chang said he has known Pritchard for years and has admired his career as both a player and coach.
“I’ve known Tavita for a long time now,” Chang said. “He’s always been a great, straight-up guy, a great coach, great player. All the respect to him and what he’s done.”
Chang said Stanford and Hawaii are both working to establish their programs under their respective former quarterbacks.
“They’re trying to build something where they know what it looks like, very similar to what we are trying to build here,” Chang said. “I’m happy for him to just get the opportunity, and we look forward to the challenge. But what a great guy and what a great leader that Stanford has.”
The Rainbow Warriors and Cardinal kick off at 1 p.m. Hawaii time Saturday.
The game will be televised nationally on the ACC Network, with radio coverage available on ESPN Honolulu.
For continuing coverage, stay with KHON2 Sports on-air and online.
Hawaii News, Hawaii Weather, Hawaii Sports
See more of the team that is Working for Hawaii on our website: khon2.com
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports and entertainment, subscribe to the KHON2 YouTube channel: youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii?sub_confirmation=1
Check out our morning news podcast: khon2.com/khon-2go
Sign up to receive the latest Hawaii news in your inbox: nxslink.khon2.com/join/6sd/signup
Stay informed about Hawaii news, weather, sports, and entertainment! Follow KHON2 on our social channels:
youtube.com/user/KHONNewsHawaii
facebook.com/khon2news
twitter.com/KHONnews
instagram.com/khonnews
