The women’s basketball team of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, known as the Rainbow Wahine, is making preparations for an extraordinary nine-day tour of Japan this summer. This will be the team’s first international trip in six years, and they are eagerly looking forward to embarking on this thrilling adventure.
Comprising a 14-player roster, the Rainbow Wahine will travel through Tokyo and Osaka, with a stopover in Kyoto for a day. During their time in Japan, the team has arranged two exhibition games. The first game is scheduled to take place at the University of Tsukuba on June 6, followed by a second game against Tokyo Healthcare University on June 8. Alongside the games, the team also intends to conduct a youth clinic, sharing their expertise with young basketball enthusiasts.
However, the trip is not solely focused on basketball. Coach Laura Beeman has emphasized that the primary goal is to provide the team with a unique bonding experience as they immerse themselves in a different culture and the beautiful surroundings of Japan. The athletes will also have the opportunity to showcase their warm and friendly Hawaiian hospitality in the Land of the Rising Sun, spreading the aloha spirit.
The tour will also encompass various cultural activities and sightseeing opportunities, offering an additional layer of excitement and learning for the players. The scheduled return to Honolulu is on June 13, marking the conclusion of their memorable Japanese journey.
This year’s Rainbow Wahine team features 11 returning players, including the top six scorers from the previous season. Noteworthy returnees such as guards Daejah Phillips and Lily Wahinekapu, as well as forward Imani Perez, were all All-Big West selections. Joining them are newcomers Danijela Kujovic, Rebecca Moors, and Ritorya Tamilo, who will debut with the team on this international tour.
According to Coach Beeman, the trip will not only facilitate the quick bonding of new players with their teammates but also foster confidence and relationships that will contribute to the team’s cohesiveness and success in the forthcoming season.
This highly anticipated journey to Japan follows the team’s previous international tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2018. With the enthusiastic energy and talent of the Rainbow Wahine, there is no doubt that this trip will have a lasting impact on the team, both on and off the basketball court.