For the first time in ten years, the BYU Cougar football team set foot on the turf at Aloha Stadium prepared for what historically has been a heated rivalry with the University of Hawaii. But the same intensity never materialized. Yes, the players from both teams played hard and played to win, just like any other game, but this game felt different than the countless other times these two teams met.

As much as the local media tried, they failed to ignite the same passion for the game that was evident through the late 70’s through most of the 90’s and early 2000’s. Ten years is a long time. Ten years is two and a half traditional graduating classes ago, or in other words, UH freshmen students who attended the 2001 game, who had a real sense of what the rivalry meant, graduated in 2004. The rivalry had been forgotten.

The first football game I remember attending, ever, happened to be the Hawaii/BYU game of 1978. I remember two players from that game, Hawaii’s starting quarterback, Jeff Duva, who ironically was a BYU transfer, and BYU defensive back Ron Velasco who my father pointed out to me because he was from Hawaii. I noticed that a lot of fans in the stadium cheered for BYU, even though we were at Aloha Stadium. It was then that I discovered most Mormons who were Hawaii fans cheered for BYU when they came to town. I didn’t understand it at the time.

BYU players from Hawaii
Aveni Leung-Wai
Simote Vea
Travis Uale
Ian Dulan
Spencer Hafoka
Kaneakua Friel
Walter Kahaiali’i
Jray Galea’i
Graham Rowley

BYU players with significant Hawaii ties*
Uani Unga
Va’a Niumatalolo

Hawaii coaches who are LDS
Inoke Funaki
Tony Tuioti

Hawaii players who are LDS
Kamalani Alo
Kawika Borden
Jack Damuni
Paipai Falemalu
Waylon Lolotai
Siasau Matagiese
Alema Tachibana
Alasi Toilolo
Richard Torres

*Leave a comment below if you know of other BYU players with ties to Hawaii.

BYU beat Hawaii 31–13 that year and it was the first of ten consecutive wins for the Cougars over the Rainbows spanning 1978–1988. I’ve attended most of Hawaii’s home games versus BYU (except for 1988 and 1989 while I served a mission). Some were BYU blowouts, while others were heart stopping close, such as:

1981: BYU 13, Hawaii 3
1984: BYU 18, Hawaii 13
1986: BYU 10, Hawaii 3
1987: BYU 16, Hawaii 14
1988: BYU 24, Hawaii 23

Hawaii’s frustration had reached its peak. I recall BYU players nonchalantly stating that BYU was Hawaii’s rival, but Hawaii was not BYU’s rival. This only added to Hawaii’s earnest desire to beat BYU.

Then 1989 happened. A 56–14 beat-down of the #18 ranked Cougars. Local broadcast play-by-play man Jim Leahey said it was, “the greatest thing since statehood.” Hawaii did it again in 1990 with an almost identical outcome, winning 59–28.

In 1991 the Cougars restored order in Provo with a 35–18 victory, but Hawaii countered the following year in 1992 with a dramatic come from behind, 36–32 win in Honolulu … and the rivalry intensified.

BYU rattled off six straight wins from 1993–98 and left Hawaii in the Western Athletic Conference dust as they moved on to the Mountain West Conference, but this time, there would be no opportunity for Hawaii payback … or so we all thought.

A brief three years later in 2001, BYU was back on the hard Halawa turf with the rivalry still fresh on the minds of Hawaii fans and players, fueled by the perception that Hawaii was not good enough to be included in the MWC. Hawaii won 72–45 and BYU fans and players could not wait to host the Warriors the following year. The Cougars were hoping for a more resounding win, but were happy to escape with a 35–32 decision in 2002.

Nine years later as I sat perched high atop the yellow section of Aloha Stadium, I was saddened to see the stadium almost half empty, and the Hawaii student section deserted. The rivalry had been resurrected with the promise of games far into the future, but ten years is a long time. The rivalry had been forgotten.

A new generation has emerged—a generation that hopefully will grow to appreciate this celebrated college football rivalry, and its new beginning.

BYU handled Hawaii 41–20 in the latest (2011) battle.

The only question now is, how will Hawaii respond?