Hawai'i and bowl opponent University of Alabama at Birmingham have several events planned for the week leading to Friday's Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, including a luau tomorrow, pep rally at Waikiki Beach Monday and a beach party barbecue Tuesday. Both teams will be staying in Waikiki through the week, starting today.

"(For) a lot of newcomers, it's their first time staying in Waikiki," defensive tackle Lui Fuga said. "(The police officers) spoke to us to make sure no one gets crazy or stupid because there's a lot of distractions."

Hawai'i Bowl officials scheduled the meeting with the police officers, and will do so with UAB, when it arrives.

For each of the Warriors' bowl appearances in UH coach June Jones' six-year tenure, the schools received the same warnings.

"We've never had a problem, so it must be helping," Jones said.

Finals over; Warriors can focus on Blazers

Yesterday was the last day of final exams for UH students, and now the Warriors can switch from studying for tests to studying game videotape.

"It takes a load off my shoulders," senior slotback Gerald Welch said. "I don't need to go to school after practices, I can rest; do treatment."

Welch finished his final exams Thursday, and said after he finished his last final, he was able to watch game film of UAB.

"Getting in there and having time to do that helps out a lot," he said.

Fuga, in his sixth year with the Warriors, is studying for his master's degree. He completed his fall semester work two weeks ago. The free time has allowed him to be one of the few to study game videotape extensively.

"I've been through it all," he said. "You have all your teammates to help, and they'll do fine. If they went to class, they'll be fine."

Nearly half the team, including quarterback Tim Chang, left practice early to take their finals, leaving the coaches shorthanded for many of the drills.

"It seems like every year, we struggle with the timing of it," Jones said of having finals coincide with game preparation. "Hopefully we'll get a good week of practice in next week."

Three recruits watch practice from sidelines

Three recruits were at yesterday's practice: offensive tackle Daniel Johnson of Skyline High in Washington, receiver Justin Marvel of Arroyo Valley High in San Bernardino, Calif., and receiver Idris Moss of Chaffey College, a two-year institution in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.

Arizona State, Idaho and Washington also are recruiting 6-foot-4, 270-pound Johnson.

"I like the school, it seems like a family," he said. "Everything I see, I like."

Marvel, 5-11, 165, is being recruited by Utah, Oregon, UCLA and UNLV.

Moss, 5-11, 175, transferred to Chaffey from UCLA, and has two years of eligibility remaining.

"I like (Hawai'i), but I'm not about to rush into any decisions," said Moss, who also is being recruited by Tulsa, San Diego State and Pittsburgh.