Rainbow Wahine Bring Aloha to Japan - University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics (2024)

Women's Basketball 06.06.2024

The University of Hawai'i women's basketball team is taking the #SISTAHHOOD international with a 10-day trip to Japan to start the summer. The Rainbow Wahine will stay in Tokyo and Osaka with a day-trip to Kyoto scheduled on their first foreign tour since 2018. Along the way they'll play two exhibition games and take part in a youth clinic while taking in the culture and scenery of Japan.

Follow along on the Hawai'i women's basketball social media accounts on X (@HawaiiWBB), Instagram (@hawaiiwbb) and Facebook (University of Hawai'i Rainbow Wahine Basketball).

Thursday,June 6 — Food, Friendship and Healing on Day 1
TSUKIJI —After departing Honolulu on Tuesday afternoon and crossing the international dateline to arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday night, the Rainbow Wahine started their first full day in Japan with a visit to the famed Tsukiji Fish Market and a sushi making class at a nearby restaurant. Outfitted in traditional sushi chef attire, the players and staff learned the techniques of crafting several types of nigiri sushi before dining on their creations. The team then went into the Tsukiji Outer Market to further explore the vast array of tasty offerings.

Tasty adventures in Tsukiji! 🍣 #GoBows #SISTAHHOOD pic.twitter.com/E4G2KAVPpw

— Hawai'i Women's Basketball (@HawaiiWBB) June 6, 2024

TSUKUBA CITY — At the end of an hour-long drive, Kelsie Imai's first glimpse of the University of Tsukuba created an immediate connection.

As the team's bus entered the grounds, the Rainbow Wahine senior was struck by the similarity between the school's logo and her grandmother's family crest —a resemblance that took on deeper significance given her grandmother's passing prior to the trip.

"I immediately had to call my mom," said Imai, who has the crest tattooed on her forearm. "It means so much. My mom said that's grandma showing me she's here and supporting me."

While she wrestled with being away from family this week, making her first trip to Japan along with her teammates —and the reminder of her grandmother on walls and court at the Tsukuba Central Gymnasium — has helped the healing process.

"My mom was like, 'Kelsie, you need to go, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, embrace your culture and just enjoy,' " Imai said. "As soon as we landed and I felt the energy."

Once in the gym, the host school provided an energetic and welcoming atmosphere for the Rainbow Wahine. Pregame festivities featured a taiko performance, the school band performed Hawai'i 5-0 during UH's introductions, and Hawai'i Pono'ī followed the national anthem.

"This was an amazing environment," UH coach Laura Beeman said. 'The band, the cheerleaders, the crowd being loud the entire time, that was amazing. I think for the girls to see the support that a place like this gets, I think some of our girls might have aspirations to come to Japan and play pro and I think that would be phenomenal."

Over the 40 minutes on the court, Tsukuba's hot shooting in the first and fourth quarters powered the hosts to a 70-54 victory, though the result was secondary to the lifetime memories of the cultural exchange. Beeman and senior MeiLani McBee thanked the crowd, the Rainbow Wahine presented Kukui nut lei to the Tsukuba players, and Imai swapped jerseys with one of the Owls.

"The exchanging of a gift after a game, the gratitude the Japanese players showed toward our players, the gratitude the fans showed, it's all very exciting and memories these players will take with them," Beeman said.

ありがとうございました！🏀

Mahalo to the University of Tsukuba for a fun night of hoops and culture!#GoBows #SISTAHHOOD pic.twitter.com/ncO19pi3Sz

— Hawai'i Women's Basketball (@HawaiiWBB) June 6, 2024

Tuesday, June 4 — Tokyo Bound!
HONOLULU — After yearsof waiting and planning, the Rainbow Wahineembarked on their first international tour since visiting Australia and New Zealand in 2018. The travel party includes 14 players on the active roster, plus two of last year's seniors, Ashley Thoms and Olivia Davies, along with coaches and staff.

The journey begins!! HNL ➡️ Tokyo ✈️🇯🇵

Scenes from travel day with the 'Bows 🌈#GoBows #SISTAHHOOD pic.twitter.com/pco5Ovh6NE

— Hawai'i Women's Basketball (@HawaiiWBB) June 5, 2024

#HawaiiWBB