Rainbow Wahine to Face Hawaiʻi Hilo in Season-Opening Exhibition on Aug. 15
The University of Hawaiʻi women's volleyball team is heading to the Big Island for a preseason exhibition against Hawaiʻi Hilo on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 2 p.m. inside the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
The exhibition marks the Rainbow Wahine's first trip to Hilo since the 1980s and will serve as the first public look at UH under new head coach Joshua Walker before the start of the 2026 season.
Walker, an AVCA All-American during his playing days with the Rainbow Warriors men's volleyball program from 2006-11, begins his first season leading the Rainbow Wahine after serving as an assistant coach with the men's program from 2016-22.
Hawaiʻi Hilo enters the exhibition coming off a strong 2025 season, finishing 20-9 overall and tying for third in the Pacific West Conference before advancing to the PacWest Championships.
"The last time we played them was in the '80s and so I think it's a great connection for us to play a Division-I team," Vulcans head coach Reed Sunahara said.
Sunahara, a former Rainbow Wahine assistant and Hawaiʻi volleyball standout, believes the matchup is another step toward growing the sport on the Big Island.
"Hilo fans are great. The volleyball community is awesome. But we got to continue to win," Sunahara said. "The model is the UH Mānoa men right now. They're selling out and it's great excitement. That's what we want to bring to Hilo."
The Rainbow Wahine own a 24-0 all-time record against the Vulcans in official meetings.
Following the exhibition, Hawaiʻi Hilo opens its regular season by hosting the Hawaiʻi-Alaska Challenge from Aug. 20-22. UH Mānoa will continue preparations for its 2026 campaign following the exhibition.
Exhibition Information
UH Mānoa at Hawaiʻi Hilo
Saturday, Aug. 15
2 p.m.
Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium
Tickets
Adults: $15
Seniors (65+): $10
Middle/High School Students: $10
Children (12 & under): $5