Demi Clark
Imam Subkhan
ENG 298
June 1, 2024
Hawaii Fans Like No Other
In a world that often feels impersonal, fandom culture offers a sense of belonging through various sports. Each country or state has a specific sport that they take a lot of pride in and residents will always go out to support. In Hawaii volleyball is one of the biggest sports, if you aren’t playing it then you are most likely watching it. The University of Hawaii at Manoa has an excellent volleyball program for both men and women, that attracts people all around the island to show up to support the teams, this strong support has created many traditions that represent Hawaii's culture.
During many sporting events, specifically in volleyball fans become very passionate in the way they choose to support the teams. In volleyball people make various chants, celebrations, and wear the school's colors or even match to instill a sense of togetherness. Many of the fans don’t know the players personally but they all connect over hometown pride and try their best to keep many traditions alive. Just like the people in Hawaii “the teams are diverse, with a mix of hometown heroes and players from other states and other countries, all of whom are embraced by the fans as one of ours.” Hawaii fans treat other people and players with love and respect because blood doesn’t always make you family, rather it’s something that can be built with anyone and anywhere. Many people express Hawaiian culture when they watch the UH mens and womens volleyball teams compete against other schools at the Stan Sheriff Center.
A typical match starts off with people from all over the island filing in and getting settled in their seats where they sing the national anthem as well as Hawaii Pono’i which is the regional anthem. Then the game starts and fans get up out of their seats during intense points, scream and chant UH’s fight song, or begin a specific clapping beat that they do when a player is serving as a way of trying to intimidate the other team. Some fans even make creative signs that support a specific player or the whole team. This type of fandom has been around for years and reflects a strong community that believes in its cultural values and has fostered a huge sense of belonging.
At the end of the night, many of the fans line up across the front row and lean over the balcony to congratulate the players after a big win or comfort them after a loss. Fans take cultural practices such as lei giving and bring it into the sports world in order to make players feel seen and to show that they are supportive of all their hard work. The sense of community in the air makes the atmosphere feel very different than most. Over the years fans have gotten more creative in how they choose to celebrate, and could create even more traditions for the future. UH men’s and women’s volleyball teams are very good but the fans are the ones that make it a very special experience for people on or off the court. Fans love giving support and players love receiving it, which creates a social connection beyond the game of volleyball.
At the end of the night, many of the fans line up across the front row and lean over the balcony to congratulate the players after a big win or comfort them after a loss. Fans take cultural practices such as lei giving and bring it into the sports world in order to make players feel seen and to show that they are supportive of all their hard work. The sense of community in the air makes the atmosphere feel very different than most. Over the years fans have gotten more creative in how they choose to celebrate, and could create even more traditions for the future. UH men’s and women’s volleyball teams are very good but the fans are the ones that make it a very special experience for people on or off the court. Fans love giving support and players love receiving it, which creates a social connection beyond the game of volleyball.
References
BILLY HULL The Honolulu Star-Advertiser/TNS | Wednesday, M. 13. (2024). UH men’s volleyball ascends to no. 1; Chakas’ status unknown. Hawaii TribuneHerald UH mens volleyball ascends to No 1 Chakas status unknown Comments. https://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/2024/03/13/sports/uh-mens-volleyball-ascends-to-no-1-chakas-status-unknown/
Cataluna, L. (2024, March 31). Lee Cataluna: The Sport Hawaii Loves loves hawaii back. Honolulu Civil Beat. https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/05/lee-cataluna-the-sport-hawaii-loves-loves-hawaii-back/
Naktin, E. (2024, March 31). Hawaii men’s volleyball team nets “senior night” win over UC Santa Barbara. KITV Island News.