The Hawaii Bowl: Paradise and Postseason Football

The Hawaii Bowl represents one of college football’s most distinctive postseason traditions, combining competitive football with the tropical beauty and aloha spirit of Honolulu. Since its establishment in 2002, the bowl game has provided teams and fans with a unique opportunity to celebrate the end of the season in paradise, creating lasting memories both on and off the field.

Origins and Early History

The Hawaii Bowl was created in 2002 after the hometown Rainbow Warriors finished the 2001 season with a 9-3 record and were not invited to a bowl game. This prompted local organizers to establish a new bowl game that would ensure Hawaii and other deserving teams had a postseason opportunity in the islands.

The bowl filled a void left by the demise of previous Hawaii bowl games. The iconic Aloha Bowl, which ran from 1982 to 2000, lost its sponsorship and certification after Jeep Corporation merged with DaimlerChrysler. The Oahu Bowl, which ran from 1998 to 2000 as part of a Christmas Day doubleheader with the Aloha Bowl, moved to Seattle and became the Seattle Bowl before losing certification in 2002.

The inaugural Hawaii Bowl was played on Christmas Day 2002 at Aloha Stadium in Halawa, a suburb of Honolulu. The game featured the hometown Hawaii Rainbow Warriors against the Tulane Green Wave, with Tulane emerging victorious 36-28. Tulane quarterback J.P. Losman threw for 279 yards and three touchdowns in the victory, while Hawaii’s Timmy Chang threw for 444 yards in a losing effort.

Sponsorship Evolution

Throughout its history, the Hawaii Bowl has been supported by various title sponsors that have helped sustain the game and enhance the experience for participating teams.

The inaugural 2002 game was sponsored by ConAgra Foods, making it officially the ConAgra Foods Hawaii Bowl. The following year, Sheraton Hotels and Resorts Hawaii assumed sponsorship, and the game was known as the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl from 2003 through 2013. This eleven-year partnership became synonymous with the bowl’s identity during its first decade-plus of existence.

After Sheraton declined to renew its sponsorship in 2014, the bowl operated without a title sponsor for several years. In 2018, SoFi signed on as title sponsor for the 2018 and 2019 editions, briefly rebranding the game as the SoFi Hawaii Bowl.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, EasyPost became the title sponsor for the 2021 through 2023 editions, making it the EasyPost Hawaii Bowl. The 2024 edition had no sponsor and was simply called the Hawaii Bowl.

On April 24, 2025, it was announced that Sheraton would be returning as the title sponsor, bringing the game full circle. The 2025 edition is once again known as the Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, reuniting the bowl with its longest-running sponsor.

Venue History

For its first two decades, the Hawaii Bowl called Aloha Stadium home. The historic 50,000-seat venue in Halawa had previously hosted the Aloha Bowl and Oahu Bowl, as well as serving as the home stadium for the University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team.

In 2022, due to the deteriorating condition and eventual closure of Aloha Stadium, the Hawaii Bowl moved to the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. This state-of-the-art facility, which opened in 2020, seats approximately 9,500 fans and serves as the current home of Hawaii football. While smaller and more intimate than Aloha Stadium, the venue provides an excellent game-day atmosphere and modern amenities.

Plans are underway for a new Aloha Stadium to be built on or near the site of the old stadium, though there is currently no definitive timeline for completion. The Hawaii Bowl is expected to eventually return to this larger venue when it becomes available.

Conference Affiliations and Team Selection

The Hawaii Bowl typically features a matchup between teams from the Mountain West Conference and either the American Athletic Conference or Conference USA.

For practical and logistical reasons, the Mountain West Conference’s tie-in is automatically allocated to the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors if the team is bowl-eligible and was not selected to play in a New Year’s Six (or previously, BCS) bowl game. This arrangement means the Rainbow Warriors do not have to travel to the mainland for a bowl game unless it is of significant importance, saving considerable travel costs and time.

As a result of this practice, Hawaii has made the most appearances in the game with eleven total trips (including the 2025 edition). The Rainbow Warriors hold a 4-6 record in their home bowl game.

The current Mountain West tie-in was originally held by the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) until 2012, when the WAC ceased sponsoring FBS football and Hawaii moved to the Mountain West. Between 2002 and 2018, Conference USA sent a team to the bowl 12 times, registering an 8-4 record. In 2019, the American Athletic Conference superseded C-USA as the primary tie-in to face a Mountain West team.

Occasionally, independent teams have participated when conference tie-ins couldn’t be fulfilled. Notre Dame appeared in the 2008 game, and BYU played in the 2019 edition as an independent.

The 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl

The 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl is scheduled for Wednesday, December 24, 2025 (Christmas Eve), at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex on the University of Hawaii at Manoa campus. Kickoff is set for 3:00 PM Hawaii Time (8:00 PM ET), and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

The 22nd annual edition of the bowl game features the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (8-4) of the Mountain West Conference against the California Golden Bears (7-5) of the Atlantic Coast Conference. This marks the first time the ACC has participated in the Hawaii Bowl, expanding the conference affiliations beyond the traditional Mountain West versus AAC/C-USA matchup.

The Rainbow Warriors are making their 11th Hawaii Bowl appearance, the most of any program in the bowl’s history. Under fourth-year head coach Timmy Chang, Hawaii posted their highest win total since 2019 and tied for fifth place in the Mountain West with a 5-3 league record. Chang, a former Hawaii quarterback who set numerous NCAA passing records during his playing days from 2000-2004, has returned to lead his alma mater.

California is making its first appearance in the Hawaii Bowl and its third consecutive bowl appearance overall, marking the program’s longest bowl streak since a seven-year run from 2003-2009. The Golden Bears finished 7-5 in their first season as members of the ACC after departing the Pac-12. Under head coach Justin Wilcox and football general manager Ron Rivera (the former NFL coach), Cal is seeking to register an eight-win season for the first time since 2019.

This represents the sixth all-time meeting between California and Hawaii, with the Golden Bears holding a 3-2 series lead. The teams last met in 2008, when California defeated Hawaii 42-35 in Berkeley.

Tickets for the game range from $30 to $75 and are available online at eTicketHawaii.com and at the UH Ticket Office.

Bowl Week Experience and Aloha Spirit

The Hawaii Bowl offers participating teams a truly unique postseason experience that extends well beyond the game itself. Teams typically arrive in Honolulu several days before kickoff, immersing themselves in Hawaiian culture and enjoying the natural beauty of Oahu.

Bowl week activities often include visits to historic sites like Pearl Harbor, authentic Hawaiian luaus, community service projects, youth football clinics, and opportunities for players and coaches to experience the Pacific Ocean’s famous waves and beaches. The 2024 participating teams from South Florida and San Jose State had the chance to explore the island, creating memories that lasted far beyond the final whistle.

Game day features special Hawaiian entertainment, including performances of the National Anthem and “Hawaiʻi Ponoʻī” (the state song of Hawaii) by local artists. The 2025 edition will feature a performance by Taimane, with island music legends Kapena taking the stage at halftime.

The Sheraton Hawaii Bowl is known for showcasing the “aloha spirit” that makes competing in Hawaii a truly memorable postseason experience. Executive Director Daryl Garvin emphasizes that the bowl week showcases world-class hospitality alongside elite college football.

Memorable Moments and Historic Games

The Hawaii Bowl has produced numerous thrilling contests and memorable moments throughout its history. The bowl is known for high-scoring, offensive-oriented games, with two overtime contests and seven games decided by one touchdown or less through the 2024 edition.

One of the most infamous moments occurred in the 2003 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl between Houston and Hawaii. The game, which featured future NFL quarterbacks Kevin Kolb and Timmy Chang, began with a bomb threat caused by a suspicious package but became a back-and-forth offensive showcase. The contest ended in a massive brawl between the two teams, creating one of the wildest finishes in bowl game history. Hawaii won the game 54-48 in triple overtime.

The 2024 Hawaii Bowl made history as the longest bowl game ever played by number of overtime periods. South Florida and San Jose State battled through five overtime periods before the Bulls prevailed 41-39 in a Christmas Eve thriller. The game featured a dramatic ending in regulation, when South Florida kicker John Cannon’s 41-yard field goal attempt bounced high off the right upright with two seconds remaining, then fell through to force overtime.

In the five overtime periods that followed, neither team could gain an edge until Bulls quarterback Bryce Archie connected with Keshaun Singleton in the fifth overtime to give South Florida a 41-39 lead. On San Jose State’s final possession, Bulls linebacker Mac Harris broke up a pass in the end zone to secure the victory and cap one of the most memorable games in bowl history.

Just two days later, the record for most overtime periods in an FBS bowl game was surpassed when the 2024 GameAbove Sports Bowl took six overtimes to decide.

Community Impact and Charitable Mission

Beyond providing exciting football, the Hawaii Bowl has a strong commitment to supporting the local community through the Hawaii Bowl Foundation. Since the foundation’s inception, more than $1.8 million has been awarded to local charities, supporting various causes throughout the Hawaiian Islands.

The bowl has partnered with Teach for America Hawaii through the Extra Yard for Teachers program to support teachers, schools, and students across the state. This initiative recognizes the vital role educators play in shaping future generations.

The bowl game also promotes Hawaii’s island culture and tourism, serving as a showcase for the natural beauty, warm hospitality, and unique traditions that make the Aloha State a world-class destination. The Hawaii Tourism Authority supports the bowl through its Signature Events Program, recognizing the game’s importance in promoting sustainable tourism consistent with community desires, economic goals, and cultural values.

Television and Media Coverage

The Hawaii Bowl has been televised on ESPN since its inception, providing national exposure for participating teams and the state of Hawaii. The bowl is one of many post-season contests run by ESPN Events, which manages a portfolio of more than 35 collegiate sporting events annually.

The Christmas Eve time slot has become a signature feature of the bowl, though the first two editions in 2002 and 2003 were played on Christmas Day following the tradition of the former Aloha Bowl. When ESPN acquired NBA rights, which included the league’s Christmas Day games, the Hawaii Bowl moved to Christmas Eve where it has remained in most years since 2005.

The game typically attracts strong viewership as one of the few major sporting events on Christmas Eve, filling a void in the sports calendar when many other leagues are inactive. The unique time zone difference—with the game kicking off at 3:00 PM Hawaii Time but 8:00 PM Eastern Time—allows it to serve as prime-time viewing for mainland audiences while maintaining an afternoon atmosphere in the islands.

Notable Statistics and Records

Through 21 completed games (with the 22nd scheduled for December 2025), the Hawaii Bowl has featured 42 total team appearances from various conferences and independent programs. Hawaii leads all schools with 10 appearances through 2024, followed by Boise State with three appearances.

The bowl has featured several future NFL stars over the years, with players using the Hawaii Bowl as a launching pad for professional careers. Notable quarterbacks who have played in the game include Timmy Chang, J.P. Losman, Kevin Kolb, Colt Brennan, and Case Keenum.

Since the 2022 playing, the game’s MVP award has been known as the Hugh Yoshida Most Valuable Player Award, honoring a former athletic director at the University of Hawaii who was instrumental in supporting Rainbow Warriors athletics. Prior to 2022, the bowl named an MVP from each team.

Mountain West teams have appeared in every Hawaii Bowl since 2012 with a 4-7 mark through the 2024 edition. Conference USA teams dominated their appearances between 2002 and 2018, posting an 8-4 record. The American Athletic Conference has had limited appearances but has shown competitive balance against Mountain West opponents.

Looking Ahead

As the Hawaii Bowl enters its third decade, the game continues to evolve while maintaining its core mission of providing an exceptional postseason experience in paradise. The return of Sheraton as title sponsor brings continuity and stability, reuniting the bowl with the brand most associated with its successful first decade.

The bowl’s unique position on the college football calendar—played on Christmas Eve in one of the world’s most desirable destinations—ensures it will remain a coveted postseason opportunity for teams and a must-watch event for fans. The intimate atmosphere at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex creates a special environment, though many look forward to the eventual move to a rebuilt Aloha Stadium that could accommodate larger crowds.

With the 2025 edition featuring Hawaii’s 11th appearance and the first-ever participation by an ACC team, the bowl continues to create compelling matchups and memorable moments. Whether it’s a thrilling five-overtime marathon or a showcase of explosive offensive football, the Hawaii Bowl consistently delivers the aloha spirit alongside competitive college football.

For players, coaches, and fans, the Hawaii Bowl represents more than just another postseason game—it’s an opportunity to experience the magic of the Hawaiian Islands while competing for a bowl championship. As the bowl looks toward its 25th anniversary, it stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of college football in paradise, where the aloha spirit and competitive excellence come together each December to create lasting memories.