Warriors get taste of Aloha

For Wednesday’s practice at Aloha Stadium, the University of Hawaii football team seemingly planned for every scenario.

There were drills for the proper way to run from the locker room to the sideline, substitutions for injured players, and the correct positioning of the water coolers. The Rainbow Warriors were prepared for everything except a cracked bus mirror.

While leaving the Manoa campus, a bus carrying the defensive players clipped a city bus, shattering the side-view mirror.

"The (defense’s) bus stopped halfway (in the intersection)," center Kody Afusia said. "I thought they were stopping for our bus because the light was turning red. But I saw the mirror, and I knew they got into an accident."

Head coach Norm Chow offered to pay for the broken mirror to expedite the situation. Instead, the city bus driver opted to wait for a police officer and city official to arrive to file a report. The accident caused a delay of more than an hour.

The Warriors had hoped to begin practice at the stadium at 4:30 p.m., the same time as the kickoff for the Aug. 30 opener against Washington. Instead, practice started at about 5:15.

"We thought we had everything figured out," Chow said, smiling. "Now we know what to do if a bus breaks a mirror."

Defensive end Beau Yap said: "Things happen."

The Warriors went through several scrimmage-like sessions during the one-hour practice. There was a session on plays from their 1, and two-minute drills. The defense worked on sudden-change switches in which they had to substitute players from the 3-4 base to nickel packages.

Chow said it was key for the nearly 30 first-year Warriors to adjust to the stadium’s backdrop and turf.

"There still might be first-game jitters, because you don’t know what’s going to happen when the game starts," Chow said. "This helps. We won’t be in awe the next time we come out here."

Chow praised Ikaika Woolsey, a third-year sophomore, who will start at quarterback.

"Ikaika is doing a nice job," Chow said, noting Woolsey, throwing out of his end zone, completed a 35-yard pass to wideout Marcus Kemp. "He has to grow up in a big, fat hurry. When the lights go on, he doesn’t have to change anything he’s doing."

Woolsey said: "It feels good to get on this field before the first game. It’s good to get a feel for things. I’m definitely excited, and so are the rest of the guys. I can’t wait. August 30 will be a good time. We’ll put on a good show."

This was the Warriors’ first — and only — practice at Aloha Stadium before the opener. Chow said he debated whether to stage a scrimmage at the stadium.

In the end, Chow said, "I don’t think it’s necessary (to have a second stadium practice). It has to be a special place for these guys."

Afusia agreed, likening it to not having the same meal every day.

"You have to hold on," Afusia said. "It tastes much better when you get it every now and then."

Yap, a Kamehameha graduate, said he grew up watching UH games. His father, Boyd, is a former UH running back.

"It’s always a good feeling being here," Yap said. "I watched people play here, and I played here in high school. It’s my final season. It’s pretty surreal. I can’t believe the season starts next week."

Afusia said: "It’s good to be back here. I miss this place. I haven’t been back since the end of November. It’s really special to me. To see the field nice and crisp, I can’t wait for the season to start."