With exactly one month remaining until the 2025 season opener, the University of Hawai‘i football team hit the field Wednesday for the first day of training camp in Mānoa.
Head coach Timmy Chang, now entering his fourth season at the helm of his alma mater, is aiming to build on back-to-back five-win campaigns. The Rainbow Warriors are seeking their first winning season since the pandemic-shortened 2020 year.
“They’ve had the best offseason since we’ve been together,” Chang said. “They’re focused. They’re going off of three years of experience they can lean on. Now it’s about starting fast, being ready, and being available.”
Leading the way for the ’Bows is redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado, along with returning all-conference receivers Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle. Defensively, the Warriors boast a veteran unit anchored by linebacker Jamih Otis and defensive backs Peter Manuma and Elijah Palmer.
Alejado, who’s expected to take the reins under center, pointed to the leadership emerging across the roster.
“A lot of leadership took place this offseason,” Alejado said. “The more leaders you have, the stronger the team. Everybody’s energized, and we’d go straight to Stanford if we could—but we’ll take this fall camp to compete and get ready for August 23.”
That opener will be a home matchup against ACC opponent Stanford.
Manuma, now a senior, echoed Alejado’s sentiments.
“I see a lot more guys rising, trying to become leaders,” Manuma said. “It’s great to see. A team that’s led by players is a great team. We’ve got guys like Elijah [Palmer], Jamih [Otis], Micah [Alejado], all the young guys stepping up.”
Chang emphasized the importance of maintaining energy throughout the coming weeks.
“There’s high energy on day one, the key is to keep that through the grind of camp,” he said. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If we can stay consistent and keep that growth mindset, getting 1% better each day, we’ll be alright.”
Among the newcomers making their training camp debut were two Cover2 award winners, Kahuku’s Kaikai Carvalho and Saint Louis’ Titan Lacaden, adding more firepower to the Rainbow Warriors’ roster.
Training camp continues Thursday, with season kickoff set for August 23 at Clarence T.C. Ching Complex.