KAILUA-KONA » Siblings can collaborate, and agree to meet in the middle at a place like this.

Or they can bicker. The Hawaii men’s basketball team and little brother Hawaii-Hilo agree to disagree about who’s really the home team when they meet in a unique setting today at Kealakehe Gym.

It will be the first regular-season meeting between the state-system schools in 21 years, and the first ever on Hawaii island. It’s been a solid decade since UH-Manoa played any team here; the last time was the Big Island Invitational in 2001.

The UHH Vulcans (4-2) made a 2-hour drive across the island to play the 6 p.m. game, compared to roughly 45 minutes of flight time for the Rainbow Warriors (3-4). Technically, it is a home game for Division II UHH and 14th-year Vulcans coach Jeff Law. Law called the game a "unique opportunity," but couldn’t resist firing a good-natured shot across big brother’s bow.

"Travel time and everything, it’s a closer game for them than it is for us," said Law, who added it’s been six or seven years since his team has played in Kona. The site was his suggestion with Hilo’s home gym unavailable.

"It’s also our first game away from our gym, so even though it’s on our island, it is going to be the feel of an away game," Law said. "I’m sure most of the people in the gym are going to be there to watch Manoa and not Hilo. So we might be wearing the white uniforms and it might be on our island, but it WILL seem like an away game in a lot of ways."

UH coach Gib Arnold wasn’t having any of it.

"Last I checked it was on their island. Don’t be giving me that, Jeff. It’s on your island," a grinning Arnold said. "It’s a little bit harder for our guys to get there than your guys."

The game continues an Arnold initiative to play interisland contests at least once a year. Last season, the Rainbows played Chicago State in Lahaina. On Sunday, they conclude the in-state road trip vs. North Carolina A&T at War Memorial Gym in Wailuku, Maui. The second-year coach said future plans include a game on Molokai to honor assistant coach Brandyn Akana.

"I don’t care if we’re playing in a small high school gym, I just want an atmosphere where it’s packed and it’s fun," Arnold said.

In the here and now, UH is looking to win consecutive games for the first time this season. Ten players received playing time in the ‘Bows’ 74-61 win over UC Davis on Sunday, and leaders Zane Johnson and Vander Joaquim played well off the bench. Arnold’s starting lineup is anyone’s guess, but Johnson (15.4 points per game), Joaquim (9.9 points and 9.1 rebounds) and forward Trevor Wiseman (8.0 and 8.0) figure to lead the team in minutes regardless. Senior point guard Miah Ostrowski is also back in the fold.

UHH is coming off a home loss to PacWest Conference rival Brigham Young-Hawaii. The early-offense Vulcans are undersized compared to the ‘Bows, but have four players averaging double-figure scoring. The most important of the lot is senior forward Zachary Wilde, a preseason All-PacWest selection. The team captain averages 13.7 points and 8.5 rebounds a game.

UH junior forward Hauns Brereton will have some extended Hawaii island family at the game, but his main focus was on his opponent in his first visit to the island.

"It’ll be paradise … (but) I expect that they’re going to bring it," Brereton said. "And I expect they’re going to be really excited to play us. It’s like every other game — you gotta bring it."

UH’s road preparation for this game is atypical because of finals week. While most of the team arrived in Kona on Thursday night, five key players — Johnson, Joaquim and point guards Ostrowski, Shaquille Stokes and Bobby Miles — are scheduled to arrive at about 4 p.m. today.

"It’ll be tight, but finals come first," Arnold said.

Seniors Johnson and Ostrowski will fly back home after the UHH game to attend their Manoa graduation ceremonies on Saturday, then fly back out to meet the team on Maui on Sunday.

UH leads the series with UHH 4-0.

Autograph signing

Players from both UH and UH-Hilo will be available for autographs following the game at Kealakehe Gym.

The ‘Bows will have another signing session after Sunday’s game vs. North Carolina A&T at War Memorial Gym in Wailuku.