Unofficial UH mascot Vili officially is not returning

It’s the end of an era. Some will say simply the end of an error.

Vili Fehoko, known professionally as "Vili The Warrior," will no longer perform at University of Hawaii football games as the team’s unofficial mascot, ending a 12-year working relationship with UH sports that also included some men’s volleyball events.

Many fans found his act entertaining. It was not without controversy.

Fehoko and his wife, Linda, said in a phone interview Sunday that the family decided it was time for Vili to spend his weekends watching his sons play football instead of working at UH games.

"It’s all about family now," said Vili, who added that he looks forward to watching youngest son Braden play for Farrington High School. Linda said he will also now get to see VJ, a linebacker at Utah, play in at least two games in person this season.

Acting athletic director Rockne Freitas confirmed "The Warrior" will not do UH games this year but declined additional comment.

First-year UH head football coach Norm Chow did not comment, other than to say UH "need(s) to figure something out" regarding a mascot.

Other sources said Fehoko was asked not to return.

"They can say whatever they want," Linda Fehoko said. "We decided last spring when the boys talked to us about it. He’s a hero to his boys, and they told us he should watch VJ and Braden while he can. We already knew what we wanted to do."

The Fehokos said they hold no ill will toward UH and wish the Warriors good fortune.

"New coaches come in and new coaches want to make their different mark," Linda said.

Said Vili: "It’s a new era. I’m done. It’s not about money or anything anymore."

IN FULL COSTUME as a menacing ancient Polynesian warrior, Fehoko is popular among many UH fans.

He is of 100 percent Tongan ancestry, but Linda Fehoko said Vili represents all of Polynesia at heart, and in costume and performance.

Some critics say he is an inappropriate representative of a Hawaii football team and university.

"He’s talked with elders and worked with the UH Hawaiian Studies department to make sure he has always been a reflection of all of Polynesia," she said. "For example, the ti leaves in his costume represent Hawaii. If people want to talk about cultural correctness they really have to do their homework."

Regardless of authenticity or political correctness, there was another issue with The Warrior that came to a head during the 2003 football season: aggressiveness in his act.

Physical incidents (not resulting in serious injuries) with other mascots and cheerleaders in two games and Fehoko stating loudly "Houston is not welcome" in an on-field interview during the nationally televised Hawaii Bowl generated dozens of complaints.

The university officially apologized to anyone offended by his actions. The school also reviewed Fehoko’s role and he was instructed to tone down his act. There have been no reports of similar incidents involving Fehoko and other teams’ mascots or cheerleaders in the years since.

Some Hawaii fans are displeased with the Fehokos because none of Vili and Linda’s three college-football-playing sons chose UH coming out of high school. Linda said the boys did a lot for the school and state as children, as they performed with Vili at UH games as drummers.

She also said the football team doing the haka is part of Vili’s legacy, as The Warrior performed it at games and inspired the players to learn the ancient war dance.

Vili Fehoko was a lot of things for more than a decade at UH games. He was never boring.

"He wants to thank June Jones and Mike Wilton, who gave him a great opportunity, and for the fans to remember he loves them and always gave it his all," Linda Fehoko said. "He’ll still be Vili The Warrior — it’s trademarked. That will never go away."

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783.