Hawaii hands out awards while waiting for bowl bid

Hawaii head coach Nick Rolovich has a message to the football coaches who assisted the Rainbow Warriors in qualifying for a postseason bowl: nuts.

“I’m sending macadamia nuts to everyone around the country who helped us,” Rolovich said.

Navy, Arizona and UTEP, to name a few, defeated teams seeking to become bowl eligible. Because there are not enough .500-or-better FBS teams to fill 80 bowl berths, the 6-7 Warriors are assured of playing in the postseason for the first time since the 2010 Hawaii Bowl. That Christmas Eve bowl is the Warriors’ expected destination this year, although no official invitation has been extended as of Sunday afternoon.

“Nobody has told me anything,” said Rolovich, who remains cautiously optimistic. “I never went to one prom stag. I wait until I get invited.”

The UH coaches were back in their office early Sunday, reviewing video of Saturday’s 46-40 victory over Massachusetts in the regular-season finale. They also were finalizing recruiting plans. The contact period, in which coaches may make home visits to prospects, opened on Sunday. Offensive line coach Chris Naeole departed for Australia on Sunday afternoon.

“If you want a couple days (off), you go find a new profession,” Rolovich said, “or go be a journalist.”

The Warriors toasted the regular season at Sunday night’s annual awards banquet.

Senior wideout Marcus Kemp received the Alec Waterhouse Most Valuable Player Award. Kemp has 70 catches for 1,036 yards, becoming the first Warrior with more than 1,000 receiving yards since Royce Pollard’s 1,011 in 2011.

Dejon Allen, who made the move from guard to left tackle in the spring, won the Coach June Jones Offensive MVP Award. Safety Trayvon Hendeson, who successfully rebounded from a knee injury, won the Coach Bob Wagner Defensive MVP Award. Rigo Sanchez, who has not missed a field-goal attempt this season, received the Coach Dick Tomey Special Teams MVP Award.

Right tackle RJ Hollis won the Ben Yee Most Inspirational Award.

Running back Paul Harris, who proposed to his girlfriend Keisha Marie O’Brien after Saturday’s game, was named winner of the Coach Larry Price Unselfish Warrior Award.

Defensive end Makoa Camanse-Stevens earned the Jenny Matsuda Scholar Athlete Award.

Leo Koloamatangi was chosen as the winner of the Thomas Kaulukukui Offensive Captain Award. Koloamatangi played all five offensive line positions, including the past two games following hand surgery. Defensive tackle Kory Rasmussen earned the Coach Otto “Proc” Klum Defensive Captain Award.

Top scout honors went to defensive end Cole Carter and running back Genta Ito.

Linebacker Malachi Mageo won the Coach Dave Holmes Most Improved Player Award.