HONOLULU — It required a full yr of groundwork, however the route is open for the 2026 Polynesian Bowl to be held on the University of Hawaii’s Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex for the primary time.
The Jan. 16 highschool soccer all-star recreation is about 4 p.m. and will likely be televised reside on the NFL Network.
Right after the completion of the 2025 version at Kamehameha Schools’ Kunuiakea Stadium — the sport’s web site since 2022 — Polynesian Bowl officers started exploring alternate options.
It would be the third web site for the sport for the reason that first version at Aloha Stadium in 2017.
The purpose for the move wasn’t the roughly 3,000 capability at Kunuiakea Stadium, though the Ching Complex’s 15,000 does permit for a better crowd, Ma’a Tanuvasa, vice chair and co-founder of the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame, advised Spectrum News in a current cellphone interview.
“What a backdrop that was,” Tanuvasa, a UH alumnus from Mililani and two-time Super Bowl champion with the Denver Broncos, mentioned of taking part in at Kamehameha for the final 4 years. “But because of logistics and the kids having school on the (Friday) that we have our game, it made it hard for their campus to be able to help us out and for us to have our game there. So, we were so blessed that the University of Hawaii was able to let us use their venue. Logistically, it’s perfect. Parking is great for our fans and for friends and family. The amenities there makes it easier to have a game like that be put on, especially (to be broadcast on) NFL Network.”
UH is charging the Polynesian Bowl a “standard rental fee” for a nonprofit, in accordance to a UH spokesperson.
When the HHSAA began to hire the Ching Complex for its Open Division soccer championship recreation in 2023, bills have been upward of $100,000 a yr. But the Polynesian Bowl was anticipated to require much less workers and facilities commitments from the host, which diminished the price.
UH is anticipating to open about half the venue for followers for a crowd approaching 5,000. By comparability, the Dec. 5 Open Division championship between Campbell and Kamehameha drew an introduced crowd of 10,131.
It was the primary time that Polynesian Bowl and UH officers mentioned bringing the sport to the Manoa campus. First-year UH Athletic Director Matt Elliott mentioned he welcomed the chance for the nationwide publicity; the Polynesian Bowl invitations roughly 100 outgoing highschool seniors from across the nation, together with 20 to 25 from Hawaii.
“You had to look at the schedule this year and it actually fit will with an opening that we had, given everything that was going on on campus,” Elliott advised Spectrum News. “I believe that’s at all times a part of the query, is can we match it with what’s happening in our arenas and on our fields, as a result of all these venues collectively have to be thought-about. Also, workers. We’ve bought a whole lot of workers which have so many duties to be certain we will really handle that sort of occasion, is essential.
“(It’s a) great opportunity to bring some of the best players in the country to our campus, have them see this beautiful place which is always amazing, but to have them see our campus and be a part of that, it’s great for our program,” he added.
The UH males’s volleyball workforce is about to play a doubleheader on the Stan Sheriff Center the identical day, however match occasions are 11 a.m. towards Rockhurst and seven p.m. towards Roberts Wesleyan.
UH will share ticket and parking income with the Polynesian Bowl whereas maintaining concessions income.
The move was not with out its crimson tape.
“There’s hurdles that you have to jump through, with everything that goes on with recruiting and stuff like that, (but) we were able to get the NCAA approval to have our game there,” Tanuvasa mentioned.
Notable native gamers on the 2026 Polynesian Bowl roster embody Campbell’s Tainoa Lave, Saint Louis’ Jahren Altura, Kamehameha’s Taimane Purcell, Kahuku’s Malaki Soliai-Tui and Kekua Aumua, and Kailua’s Esaiah Wong, Packs Ahovelo and Ben Honebein.
About half the taking part gamers have Polynesian ancestry.
Doug Pederson and Mike Singletary will coach the sport for the Mauka and Makai sides.
“(Former Georgia coach) Mark Richt said it the best coaching the game a couple years ago: ‘These kids are coming out here for a great cultural experience, and at the end of the week a football game will break out,’” Tanuvasa mentioned. “I’m really excited for these kids to come out here and experience what ohana is about, aloha, people out here being called uncles and aunties who aren’t even related to you.”
A hyperlink to ticket purchases for the sport is anticipated to seem within the coming days on the Polynesian Bowl’s website.
On Saturday, the Polynesian Bowl Junior and Senior Showcase will happen at Punahou’s Alexander Field (2:30 to 6 p.m.) for Hawaii prep soccer gamers within the lessons of 2026 and 2027. Coaches from NCAA Division II and III, NAIA and junior schools will attend to consider gamers, per Polynesian Bowl officers. The occasion is freed from cost for gamers; highschool head coaches have registration hyperlinks.
The similar weekend because the Polynesian Bowl, the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will induct three members in its 2026 class — Rey Maualuga, Chad Owens and Brandon Manumaleuna. There are 51 inductees to the group that was created in 2013.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports activities scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He may be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.