At the 40th anniversary banquet of Rainbow Wahine athletics two weeks ago, Gov. Neil Abercrombie spoke of creating a "world-class sand volleyball venue" for the University of Hawaii. The school played in the emerging sport’s inaugural season this spring and is still waiting for its on-campus facility to be built.

The sand team is coached by indoor assistant Scott Wong, with most players crossing over from the indoor team. Hawaii played its only two home dates at Queen’s Beach, in a spectacular setting indoor coach Dave Shoji characterized as "just awesome."

Shoji said the game’s future in Manoa might be back at Waikiki, with the on-campus courts used solely for training. That’s if there is a future for the sport.

"It depends on the bigger conferences buying into sand volleyball," Shoji said. "It’s not going to be a viable sport unless they do. A lot of schools are waiting to see. There’s maybe a few of the big schools in the big conferences that are going to field teams. Arizona is one. If it just goes by individual schools then it will grow really slowly. They need the Pac 12 and Big Ten and the SEC to come in. If they don’t, it will be like men’s volleyball or women’s water polo, basically a cult sport."

Those who like it are passionate about it.

"I have my love back for volleyball again," said UH senior Ashley Lee, who came from Long Beach State to play her one season on the sand. "I’d always loved it, but I had lost that. Coming to such great coaches and team, I love it. I want to play every second of the day. When I’m not playing, I’m thinking about it."

Wahine lead NCAA in attendance again

The NCAA has kept attendance statistics since 1997. Hawaii has led the country every year.

Last fall the Wahine drew an average of 6,814 fans, nearly 2,300 more than runner-up Nebraska. Wisconsin, Minnesota and Penn State were the only other schools to average more than 3,000.

Hawaii’s average was its best in five years. The Wahine have led the country since 1994, when they moved from 2,000-seat Klum Gym into the Stan Sheriff Center.

Kawika Shoji wins title in Germany

Shoji’s oldest son, Kawika, was the starting setter on the championship team of the German League last month. Shoji set Berlin Recycling Volleys to a 16-14 win in the fifth set over Generali Haching in the final.

Wahine Volleyball Camps begin in June

The 32nd annual Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Camps begin June 12. There are five camps this year, all for girls and boys in grades 4-12. Cost of each four-day camp is $160. Campers attend from 1 to 5 p.m. each day on the UH lower campus.

Camp 1 is June 12-15 and has limited enrollment. Camp 2 is on the same dates. The final three camps are July 20-23, July 24-27 and Aug. 1-4. Instruction is geared for players of all skill levels.

The camps are run by Dave Shoji, with his staff and current and former players.

For information, contact assistant coach Robyn Ah Mow-Santos at robynma@hawaii.edu or 956-2496.