Maybe the Illuminati likes Rainbows
A supporter of the Warrior nickname on a UH fan site asked me to do an article in the paper about rumors of pressure exerted upon athletic director Ben Jay to change his decision on the nickname from “Warrior” to “Rainbow Warrior.” My response follows.
Here’s why I won’t do that kind of article: After two days of asking around I’ve discovered zero evidence of any big money donor throwing his weight around to force the AD to change his decision, or any kind of conspiracy. One source did tell me he heard a rumor that the governor placed a call in support of Rainbow. Could there have been a plot? Sure, but if there was it was extremely well camouflaged. Did some powerful people express their preference to the AD? Yes, as did a lot of not-so-powerful people. But four or five sources who deal closely with boosters (and one who is a booster) continued to tell me the nickname is not an issue with big money donations. Could they all be lying? Possibly, but I doubt it. I’ll say the same thing I said to the Rainbow supporters … if this is really that important to you you should’ve made your feelings known to the AD with an organized effort including petitions, rallies, etc. … the difference is the Rainbow dudes actually did it. There were no pro-Warrior counter Rainbow demonstrators at Bachman Hall two weeks ago. No Warrior supporters made their voices heard at the Thursday night town hall. I’m not saying the high-profile Stephen Chinen and Mark Takai were the game-changers, but this much is clear: The pro-Rainbow people wanted it more, and they convinced Jay that their perspective of UH’s tradition was worth saving despite lack of a consensus either way.
I really don’t care one way or the other, I just want to see them win in all sports. But two thoughts come to mind. One, Jay should have either stuck with his decision or made it known he wanted input in the name change. Two, a few days ago Ben Jay changed the name back to “Rainbow Warriors” two days later Upper Campus forgives the 12 million dollar debit of the AD, one has to question if there was some influence from upper campus in the name change?? If there was then that almost sounds like blackmail??????
Yay, we got the Rainbow Warrior back! OK, back to business as usual. Just win with high school facilities that are falling apart. Hey, it worked for Bob Wagner and the 92 team, why do they need new facilities? Look at Kahuku HS. They win regularly. Fair weathered, bandwagon fans, at best.
Ben Jay should’ve just left the nicknames the way they were when he got here
that story in the news last night about how a child got him to change his mind is incredibly lame
Dave, I think it’s a weak argument that fans who wanted just “Warriors” should have had a counter rally. There was no reason, because Ben Jay seemed staunchly decided on naming them “Warriors.” There was no indication at the time that we was even wavering, so why have a rally when the man supposedly in charge was affirming again and again that the decision was final.
I think you have to give Mr. Jay a pass because the nickname change was difficult for someone not entirely familiar with the culture of Hawaii. I give him credit for taking a pause to rethink his original decision.
On the surface the timing is interesting. But good to also keep in mind the dropping of the debt has been in the works for months, going back to before Jay became athletic director.
DR: This “rainbow” thing can be described as symptomatic of people having too much time on their hands. I know the origin of the rainbow nickname but I have usually equated it to mean the diversity of the UH with its students, faculty, and administration…people of many colors of skin, ideas, and skills. Some have castigated the AD for changing his mind. I look at it as if going through a divorce. On one hand you promise to love and honor until “death do you part”. Well, the AD had a change of heart, like a divorce and changed his mind about his initial decision. Conspiracy theories abound as readers express what a wealth of opinion there exists…someone once told me “Opinions are like okoles, everybody has one”!
I don’t care why the AD did it. It was a smart move.
Annodah Dave,
I like response, I am for the nickname Rainbows, and Rainbow Warriors is great!
I thought Mr Ben Jay’s decision to change his decision was a great move on his part. I think, this latest decision to go to Rainbow Warriors, will bring more community support and show that he is a MAN, unafraid of changing his mind. They community will respond to his call for imput, because of this decision. Hawaii’s fan are quiet fans, maybe this will change them, a person of influence shows that people of Hawaii has a voice. ALOHA
Stu, you could say the same thing about the Rainbow fans … why bother to make an effort to change when the athletic director was so staunch in his decision? And if people care so much about killing off the Rainbow why are they not protesting in a high-profile manner now? Like I said, the pro-Rainbow fans wanted it more and showed it, even when their cause seemed impossible.
Main thing guys is we all support HAWAII, doesn’t matter what we are called, I could care less.
Can we find us a good mascot??
Dave, it’s not just that Jay appeared staunch in his decision, but more to the point, he appeared staunchly in favor of “Warriors.” That creates incentive for Rainbow fans to speak up and rally, whereas there was less pull from the Warrior supporter side because they appeared to already have what they wanted.
I see what you’re saying, but again, you reinforce my point. I don’t see Warrior fans organizing now. There are still six weeks until July 1. Yes, sounds ludicrous … as ludicrous as rallying for the Rainbow when Warriors seemed a done deal.
That is a fair point. I only disagree with the idea that Warrior backers should have been more vocal prior to the about-face announcement, but you are right that it does seem like the Rainbow contingent is more vocal, and it may well be larger too, I really don’t know on that front. With that in mind, I will resign myself to the new (old) name even if I don’t like it.
majority of fans on line here at WSN wanted Warrior ,online poll was also done in favor of Warrior, so Dave , your statement indicating we had to show up 50 Rainbows has no credance , with electronic age , polls can be done ,we dont necessarily have to show up, many of us also emailed BJ with our opinions.
hon … actually showing up and rallying takes commitment and passion … online polls and blog rants are easy and anonymous … and disjointed. Once again, if this was important to you, why did you not do more to ensure “victory?” … Its like a team that’s ahead in a game and doesn’t shut the door. If you don’t care that much, that’s ok, I really don’t myself. But then why make excuses about it when it’s said and done if there was no real passion or commitment in the first place? … Rainbow rally only 50 people. But Warrior rally? Zero people. … but still 5 weeks left to rally and recent events have reinforced in me to never say never. … I’m waiting for someone to say it was a set-up from the beginning. If that’s true you should be happy because it means you’ve got a freaking genius of an athletic director. I think the whole thing has become part hilarious and part ridiculously tiresome and part amazing that so many people won’t just put it to rest already.
What I really want to see is the those that backed adding Rainbow buy season tickets. This is really where the rubber meets the road isn’t it?
I recall hearing SC say after the rally that he will continue to go to the Women’s Softball games, which its great! it really is, but it’s still free right? So in my mind, he wanted things changed but has yet to commit to put any of his own money out there.
For me, I preferred Warriors, but I’m okay with Rainbow Warriors IF and that’s a BIG IF those who supported adding Rainbow step up and go to the games.
In the end I believe Ben Jay made the move to satisfy both sides. You have “Rainbow” and “Warrior”. I like it for three reasons 1. You honor the past and you honor the present 2. Consistency with “Rainbow Wahine”/ “Rainbow Warriors” and 3. it is unique being the only “Rainbow Warriors” around.
Well I for one admire Mr. Chinen and Mark Takai for standing up for the traditions of our university. I also tip my cap to Ben Jay, his decision is now an effective compromise between the Warrior and Rainbow names and the mens and womens teams also both have Rainbow in them.
Well done sir!!
Tradition is great, standing up is great!
Buy tickets. If not, it’s all for nothing.
no, not a genius athletic director; he made a mistake as he thought that it was his duty to select the nickname of UH manoa. and he mostly talked to folks who favored warriors, and not enough of those who favored rainbows or rainbow warriors. he actually screwed up, but then reversed his decision, that is not genius, that is correcting a mistake and doing what is right. genius do things the right way the first time.
And your mistake was taking something meant as a joke seriously. Have a great day.