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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Warriors making over haka

UH football practice gallery
 •  Less than 5,000 tickets remain for game
 •  OSU-Hawai'i may expand series

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i head coach June Jones has the rapt attention of scout cornerback JoPierre Davis (in yellow jersey) during yesterday's practice.

BRUCE ASATO | The Honolulu Advertiser

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Copyright concerns will force the Warriors to alter their haka, as performed here by Ryan Keomaka, Guyton Galdeira and Blaze Soares.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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In response to a concern over creative rights, the University of Hawai'i football team will perform a variation of its usual haka for Saturday's regular-season finale against Oregon State and will choreograph a new Maori war dance for the Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl against Arizona State.

The Warriors have performed the haka 20 minutes before every game this season. In the past eight weeks, they also have performed a post-game routine.

Athletic department officials acknowledged that a UH professor voiced concerns that the Warriors might be violating a copyright by performing the haka.

Te Rauparaha, chief of the Ngati-Toa tribe, was credited with inventing the version of the haka in 1820 that is now used by the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team.

The All Blacks received permission from Ngati-Toa to perform the haka before matches.

UH athletic director Herman Frazier, though a spokeswoman, said: "Our legal department is looking into the issue. We don't believe we're violating any copyright laws at this time."

While acknowledging there are similarities, linebacker Timo Paepule said, the Warriors' version is not step-for-step the same as the All-Blacks' haka.

"We put in a little part in there that talks about the Warriors," Paepule said. "(The All Blacks) don't say that."

Paepule also said the Warriors don't perform the haka for money or as a promotion.

"We're not profiting from it," Paepule said. "We have guys from Polynesia. We want people to know the haka is part of our heritage."

Many of the players were surprised that a dance could be copyrighted.

"We're not like the All Blacks haka," quarterback Colt Brennan said. "We're different. ... No disrespect to anyone, but it's something we did on our own. (UH's version) originated through Tala (Esera) and Leonard (Peters)."

Esera and Peters have been advised not to discuss the copyright concerns.

Because there is not enough time to create a new haka for Saturday's game, the Warriors will use a variation of the one they performed all season.

For the bowl game, the Warriors will perform a haka "specifically made for us," Esera said.

As with the current haka, Esera said, "we can't do it ourselves. We'll go to someone with knowledge. We know people."

ASU'S JUST FINE

While UCLA was their first choice, the Warriors indicated they would look forward to facing Arizona State in the Hawai'i Bowl.

"I wanted UCLA, but they're going to the Emerald (Bowl)," guard Hercules Satele said. "I have (high school) teammates on that team. It would have been nice to play them. But to play two Pac-10 teams in a row is a plus. It's a strong BCS conference."

Brennan said: "I'm excited. They're a good football team. They've got a good offense. They were ranked coming into this year."

On Monday, ASU fired Dirk Koetter, who agreed to coach in the Hawai'i Bowl.

"I know that they and the coaching staff are going to come with a lot to play for," Brennan said. "It's going to be a good, fun game. I can't wait."

ILAOA NOW 'DOUBTFUL'

Running back Nate Ilaoa did not practice yesterday because of a contusion in his left heel.

Because of Ilaoa's absence, UH head coach June Jones said, "he's doubtful (to play Saturday) in my mind. Hopefully, he'll be able to play."

But Ilaoa, who received several hours of treatment yesterday, said he will be ready.

"I'm going to play," Ilaoa said. "It's Senior Night. What are you talking about?"

Jones said if Ilaoa is not available, Reagan Mauia, David Farmer and Jason Laumoli will split the workload.

Mauia, who has been a running back for 13 games after moving from nose tackle last year, has developed into a punishing backfield blocker and agile runner.

In last week's 42-35 victory over Purdue, Mauia made a crucial play in the fourth quarter. On third-and-6 from the UH 24, Mauia caught a shovel pass and went 16 yards to keep alive the drive. The Warriors went on to score the tying touchdown.

"I didn't think it was that long until I saw the film and read the paper," Mauia said. "You normally don't think about that when you're playing."

Brennan said: "It worked out so well because people think we don't give the ball to Reagan or he's not as good as Nate. We don't ask Reagan to do a lot of the things Nate does because Nate is a special player. ...

"Reagan is still averaging over 8 yards per carry," Brennan added. "He's very talented for what he is."

• • •

UH FOOTBALL

WHAT: University of Hawai'i (10-2, 7-1 in Western Athletic Conference) vs. Oregon State (8-4, 6-3 in Pacific-10)

WHEN: 7:05 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Aloha Stadium

TV: Live on ESPN;

AUDIO WEBCAST: espn1420am.com

RADIO: Live on ESPN 1420. Neighbor Island simulcasts on KAOI on Maui/Kona, KPUA in Hilo and KQNG on Kaua'i

GATES OPEN: Parking lot 2:30 p.m.; Stadium gates 3 p.m.

TICKET PRICES: $38 sideline, $32 South end zone, $27 North end zone (adult), $22 North end zone senior citizen, $22 North end zone students 4-18, $5 UH students.

TICKET SALES: Available online at hawaiiathletics.com, by calling 944-2697 (BOWS) between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or at Stan Sheriff Center, Aloha Stadium, UH Campus Center, RainBowtique at Ward Centre and Windward Community College's OCET Office during business hours. Convenience fees may apply.

PROMOTIONS:

Green-out Night: Saturday's "Senior Night" game has been designated a "Green Out" and all fans are encouraged to wear green shirts in support of the Warriors and their talented senior class.

19 Seniors to be honored: Nineteen senior football players will be honored during a special post-game ceremony this Saturday for their contributions to the UH program. Fans are encouraged to remain in their seats following the game as these student-athletes are introduced during the traditional "Senior Walk."

30,000 Ti Leaves to be distributed: The first 30,000 fans to enter Aloha Stadium for the Oregon State football game will receive a ti leaf, compliments of game-sponsor First Hawaiian Bank.

Disneyland & Inter-Island trips to be awarded: First Hawaiian Bank will provide an inter-island trip for two on Aloha Airlines to the winner of the pre-game field-goal kicking contest and a trip for four to Disneyland (including Aloha Airlines flight, hotel, and rental car) to the winner of the "Dash to Disneyland" halftime contest during the game. Fans can register at Gate 3 prior to the game.

Las Vegas trip promotion for UH students: UH students can register at Gate 7 for the opportunity to win a trip to Las Vegas and other great prizes, compliments of First Hawaiian Bank and Vacations Hawaii. One student will be drawn from those who register to compete in a contest on the field between the third and fourth quarters. Thus far this season, two UH students have won trips to Las Vegas.

UH students ride free: The Chancellor's Office will provide free bus transportation to the game. The buses will pick up UH students on Dole Street in front of the Gateway House two hours before game time. The buses will leave the stadium 30 minutes after the game and return to the Gateway House. Signup sheets will be at the front desks at each UH residence hall.

2-For-1 tickets for military: Two tickets for the price of one (maximum of 12) to military personnel (active and reservists) are available for the game. A valid military identification card is required when purchasing tickets at Aloha Stadium in advance or on game day. At the Stan Sheriff Center, this discount is only available in advance (MondayiFriday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Tickets are in special sections and supply is limited, so advance purchases are encouraged. Other restrictions may apply.

PARKING: $5

ALTERNATIVE PARKING (no tailgating):

• Leeward Community College (free with $2 charge for shuttle service);

• Kamehameha Drive-In ($5 with free shuttle service);

• Radford High School ($3 with no shuttle service).

All shuttle service runs from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and approximately one hour after the game ends.

SECURITY: Only fanny packs, purses, backpacks and handbags will be allowed into stadium (subject to check).

TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Sports Radio 1420 will provide traffic advisories and updates before each UH football home game.

BUS SHUTTLES:

For UH students: Chancellor office is providing free bus transportation to the home games at Aloha Stadium. Buses will pick up UH students on Dole Street in front of Gateway House two hours before game time.The buses will leave the stadium 30 minutes after the game and return to Gateway. Sign-up sheets are at the front desk at each UH residence hall.

Roberts Hawaii is offering round trip "air conditioned" shuttle bus services to Aloha Stadium for $6 from three O'ahu areas.

Bus No. 3 will pick up at the Hawai'i Kai Park n' Ride at 4 p.m., at Bank of Hawai'i at Kahala Mall at 4:15 and proceed to the stadium.

Bus No. 2 will pick up at the Kailua District Park, Kainalu Avenue at 4:15 p.m., at Windward Mall Shopping Center on Alaloa Street facing Sears at 4:30 and proceed to the stadium.

Bus No. 1 will pick up at the Mililani Mauka Park n' Ride at 4:30 p.m. and go directly to the stadium.

Reservations are required and service is first come, first serve. Call Roberts School Bus at 832-4886 for reservations and additional information.

City bus service

The FootballExpress offers 17 pickup locations throughout O'ahu.

The first trip from each location leaves approximately three hours before kickoff and the last trip leaves approximately 90 minutes before the game. Return trips leave as soon as the bus is full, with the final trip leaving 30 minutes after the game ends.

Honolulu pickup locations are at Ala Moana, downtown, Hawai'i Kai, Kahala Mall, Kaimuki, Palolo, Waikiki and the University of Hawai'i.

Leeward pickups are at 'Ewa Beach, Kapolei, Mililani Mauka and Village Park.

Windward pickups are at Kalaniana'ole Highway and Kailua Road, Kailua Road at Keolu Drive and Hele Street, Kailua Road at Hahani Street, Kane'ohe Bay drive at Mokapu Boulevard and Kane'ohe Bay Drive at Makalani Street.

Rates are $3 one way and $6 roundtrip. Passes and transfers are not accepted.

For information, go to: http://www.thebus.org

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.