Athletic Bands

Central to the pride and pageantry so uniquely associated with college football, since 1923 the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warrior Marching Band has played a pivotal role in UH athletic events and campus life. The only university marching band in the state of Hawai’i, the UH Marching Band is composed of 250 students representing nearly every major on campus. One of the most visible ensembles in the Department of Music and the largest student organization on campus, the UH Marching Band presents pre-game and half-time shows at all UH home football games at Aloha Stadium.

Through rehearsals, student camaraderie, and the excitement of marching in front of thousands of cheering fans, the students of the Rainbow Warrior Marching Band share rich experiences that create social as well as musical bonds that last a lifetime.

The UH Rainbow Warrior Marching Band has been seen and heard on national television supporting the UH Warrior Football team. The band has also played for sell-out crowds in the 50,000 seat Aloha Stadium, our home football venue. Other appearances include the 1989 Aloha Bowl in Honolulu, the 1992 Holiday Bowl in San Diego, the 1999 Oahu Bowl, and the 2002 and 2003 Hawaii Bowls in Honolulu.

Dr. Adam Kehl, Marching Band Director
Gwen H. Nakamura, Assistant Director
Justin Woo, Director of Operations
Sean Mitchell, Drumline Instructor

Jessica Ackerley, Graduate Assistant
Robynne Asato, Color Guard Director
Janelle Sanqui, Rainbow Warrior Dancer Director

The University of Hawai’i Pep Bands are composed of students enrolled in the UH Marching Band. The pep bands perform throughout the year at all women’s volleyball games, men’s and women’s basketball games, campus events, and pep rallies. Each spring, members of the UH pep band also travel to the Big West Basketball Tournament.

During the UH Basketball season, the UH Marching Band performs at the Stan Sheriff Center in a rotation of pep bands at the Men’s and Women’s Basketball games, playing Pep Tunes and Tags, and keeping the crowd excited. The UH Basketball Pep Bands are led by conductor Gwen Nakamura. Listings and schedules for the UH Basketball Pep Bands will be posted as the information becomes available.

During the UH Volleyball season, members of the UH Marching Band perform at the Stan Sheriff Center as a pep band, playing Pep Tunes and Tags, and keeping the crowd excited. The UH Volleyball Pep Band is led by conductor Gwen Nakamura. The full Volleyball schedule can be found on the Hawaii Athletics Page.

UH Pep Band Cheers on the Rainbow Warrior Football team to victory in San Diego, San Jose and Las Vegas just to name a few! Members of the band traveled to the mainland with the football team and performed at several events including pep rallies, alumni events and the of course the game!

The UH Rainbow Warrior Marching Band has a long tradition of featured twirlers. The Feature Twirler is one of the most important and highly visible positions in the band, performing with the band at all home football games, bowl games, pep rallies, university and community events, and special performances at basketball and volleyball games. The position is filled when open, and a scholarship is provided.