By: Kennedy Choo

A match made in heaven. The 2025 Hawaiʻi Bowl brings together a web of storylines and local ties on both sidelines as the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors face the University of California Golden Bears.

That sense of familiarity runs deep, with several players and coaches carrying connections to the islands, including Hawaiʻi head coach Timmy Chang and Cal interim head coach Nick Rolovich.

Chang and Rolovich both arrived at the University of Hawaiʻi in 2000, though their paths to Mānoa were different. Chang came from the heralded Saint Louis School in Kaimukī, where he won two state championships and earned All-American honors, while Rolovich transferred from City College of San Francisco as one of the top junior college quarterbacks on the West Coast.

“It’s hard to believe it’s happening,” Rolovich said. “I don’t think we could’ve written that.”

“When we got here in 2000, we had a really packed quarterback room, so it was full of competition,” Chang said. “We ended up building a close bond. I got to learn so much from this guy right here.”

Both Chang and Rolovich rewrote the record books at Hawaiʻi, and more than two decades later, the former teammates now meet on opposing sidelines in a rare postseason matchup in the middle of the Pacific.

Beyond the sidelines, the playing field offers its own storylines—many rooted in the community of ʻEwa Beach, specifically James Campbell High School.

Cal (7–5, 4–4 Atlantic Coast Conference) quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Hawaiʻi safety Peter Manuma are both Campbell alumni, narrowly missing each other during their time with the Sabres as each carved out standout careers.

“It’s great for us—it’s something big for the community because of the support and love we get from them, from our time at Campbell and even after we leave,” Manuma said. “Jaron is doing a great job of putting us on a bigger platform, showing that Campbell kids have talent, too.”

Along with Manuma, the Rainbow Warriors (8–4, 5–3 Mountain West Conference) feature six former Sabres on the roster, giving ʻEwa Beach strong representation on Hawaiʻi’s biggest postseason stage.

“It means the world,” Sagapolutele said. “Peter has been putting on for a while now, representing everyone from ʻEwa Beach and showing that Campbell kids can play at the next level.”

With storylines layered throughout the matchup, the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex is expected to be packed—and Rolovich knows exactly what it’s like to navigate the psychological challenge of playing in Hawaiʻi.

“I’ve been on the other side where you can use coming to Hawaiʻi for the first time as psychological warfare to disrupt a team,” Rolovich said. “I try to give our boys fair warning and not get caught up in the Waikīkī lights.”

Beyond the outside distractions, both Rolovich and Chang are locked in on each other’s teams, with Rolovich honing in on redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado and Chang keeping a close eye on Sagapolutele.

“Incredible moxie,” Rolovich said of Alejado. “He’s very sure of who he is as a quarterback. He understands his game, and I don’t think he’s scared of the moment.”

Alejado threw for 2,832 yards and 21 touchdowns against nine interceptions, breaking Chang’s freshman touchdown record and guiding the Rainbow Warriors to their first bowl appearance since 2019.

“Jaron really worked for this opportunity,” Chang said. “When you walk into these quarterback rooms—just like me and Nick did—and only one guy plays, you know he’s special when he’s the one who emerges, especially as a true freshman.”

Sagapolutele threw for 3,117 yards and 17 touchdowns against nine interceptions in his first season as a true freshman.

For the Rainbow Warriors, a bowl win would cap an incredible turnaround season for Chang. After disappointing 5–7 and 5–8 campaigns the previous two years, Hawaiʻi rebounded to finish 8–4 in 2025, highlighted by wins over Stanford and Mountain West favorite San Diego State.

Though Oregon defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi will take the reins for the Golden Bears next season, Rolovich remains on staff, looking to cap Sagapolutele’s first season in Berkeley with a bang while laying the groundwork for more to come. Despite rumors that Sagapolutele might transfer, the quarterback will remain at Cal, where he hopes to build a lasting legacy.

As kickoff nears at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, the storylines collide—old bonds, hometown pride, and rising stars all vying for glory. For Chang, it’s the culmination of a remarkable turnaround. For Rolovich, it’s guiding a talented Cal squad while honoring his Hawaiʻi roots.

You can listen live on ESPN Honolulu 92.7 FM / 1420 AM with John and Mark Veneri.