'Warrior' mascot fired by cultural center

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Vili Fehoko, who serves as the University of Hawai'i sports mascot, "The Warrior," has been fired as an entertainer at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

"The personnel actions at PCC are confidential," said John Muaina, vice president of human resources for the Mormon church-owned visitors attraction in Lai'e. "It would be inappropriate for me to discuss any of the specifics."

Linda Fehoko said her husband was told he was dismissed because of a disagreement with a co-worker. She said her husband was not allowed to present his side, and wondered if he was given little leeway because of his work with the UH.

"We know that had a lot to do with it," she said. "It's so obvious because (PCC officials) keep bringing it up. They don't like it when Vili is giving publicity to UH."

Said Muaina: "Any actions taken are in no way related to Vili Fehoko's association with the University of Hawai'i."

Linda Fehoko said the dismissal is "devastating to our family. We're going to fight this until the end. ... Vili is a great guy, a gentle giant. I can't believe they did this to him."

Said Vili Fehoko: "I was really surprised. I didn't expect this. ... They told me I'm no longer an employee. ... How could they treat me like that? I feel sick to my stomach."

Fehoko, 37, performed up to 20 shows a week at PCC for the past 18 years, earning $63,000 annually. Linda Fehoko said she wrote and choreographed her husband's routines.

After one of the shows, UH football coach June Jones asked Fehoko to play the drums during the Warriors' pre-game introductions. Fehoko's outlandish style — he would chest-bump UH players and use spectators as drumsticks — made him a crowd favorite at Aloha Stadium. Soon after, UH officials asked Fehoko to serve as "The Warrior."

Last year, coach Mike Wilton asked Fehoko to perform at UH men's volleyball matches.

"We love our fans, but they're kind of noise-challenged," Wilton said. "It's been that way since all of the young people were taken out of the arena through pricing and complete blanket-season ticketing in the (Stan Sheriff Center's) lower bowl. We felt we needed to do something. We saw Vili at the football games and we said, 'Let's give this a shot.' He was first-class, perfectly wonderful with us."

In May, UH president Evan Dobelle invited Fehoko, Linda and their four sons to perform at the nationally televised title match of the NCAA men's volleyball tournament on Penn State's campus. Fehoko was credited with converting the spectators into UH fans and inspiring the Warriors to win the first national title by a UH men's team in school history.

"That was a wonderful stroke," Wilton said. "Before the match started, he won over the Penn State fans. Our players felt like it was a home game."

Fehoko said his family owns the rights to "The Warrior" and the routine, and he will continue to perform at UH sporting events.

"I'm looking forward to it," he said.