 Prior to 2000, the University of Hawaii's mens teams were all referred to as the Rainbow Warriors, complemented by an athletics logo featuring a rainbow. The symbol was adopted 77 years ago in reference to the colorful rainbows that appear over the islands each day. However, in response to complaints regarding the name and the logo from the football team, the school changed its athletics logo to a stylized "H" and allowed each team to pick its own team name. The Associated Press reported that a school official conceded that the football team wanted to change the logo because of concerns about its homosexual theme.
School officials unveiled the new logo, an ``H' edged in a traditional Hawaiian design called kapa, and instead of the Rainbow Warriors, the team will now be known as the Warriors.  "That logo really put a stigma on our program at times in regards to its part of the gay community, their flags and so forth," athletic director Hugh Yoshida told KGMB 9 TV. "Some of the student athletes had some feelings in regards to that." But, Yoshida added, the decision to abandon the rainbow was not anti-gay. "We are just trying to get a new image out there," he said.
The University system has a policy protecting students, faculty, and staff including coaches and athletic support staff against discrimination in higher education including athletics. Yoshida's comments that the Athletic Department was changing the Rainbow logo because of market confusion with the Gay Pride Rainbow flag touched off a storm of protest. Many students are split on the decision, but members of the football team seem to be in support of the change. Craig Stutzmann, a receiver on the football team, told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin he likes the change. "I think it's great. I like it a lot better, especially the colors," he said. "I knew it would raise some issues, but overall I think it's better for the program. I can't wait to get in one of those helmets and start banging heads." Former receiver Kyle Mosely, told Star-Bulletin, "Being called the Rainbows, especially for men's teams, left them open to ridicule," Mosley said. "Warriors has a much stronger connotation." The women's volleyball team has a different take on the situation and decided to retain the name, "Rainbow Wahine' for themselves. Other teams have still not decided on which side of the line to fall. In an effort to stop further negativity, Dr. Dean O. Smith (Academic Affairs) and Drs. Doris Ching and Amy Agbayani (Student Affairs) are working closely in guiding the groups working with Yoshida to formulate an effective plan of action. Under discussion, among other things, are the development of a gay and lesbian arm of the existing alumni group and sensitivity training for coaches and staff in the athletic department. Ken Miller of the Honolulu Gay and Lesbian Community Center is leading a discreet effort to identify UH alumni interested in helping shape and launch the proposed Gay and Lesbian Alumni Association.  Until next time!
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