Breaking: Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Announce First-Ever Pre-Season Pa’ina fundraiser
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Announce First-Ever Pre-Season Pa’ina fundraiser
- 2. Event Details
- 3. Fundraising Impact
- 4. what to Expect for Attendees
- 5. Key Facts at a glance
- 6. Why It Matters: Evergreen Takeaways
- 7. Engagement questions
- 8. 4).
- 9. Hit‑A‑Thon – Interactive Fan Challenge
- 10. Home Run Derby – Power Meets Community
- 11. Autograph Sessions – Meet the Rainbow Wahine
- 12. Sponsorship & Community Partnerships
- 13. Practical Tips for Attendees
- 14. Expected Impact on the 2026 Season
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine softball program unveiled its inaugural Pre-Season Pa’ina fundraiser, slated for Saturday, January 18, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Hawaii Time. The event, hosted at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, offers fans a chance to meet first-year head coach Panita Thanatharn, her coaching staff, and the 2026 team while taking part in interactive activities designed to boost team advancement ahead of the season.
Organizers have lined up a lineup of engaging activities, including a team Hit-A-Thon, a Home Run Derby open to UH alumnae and Pa’ina guests, and an autograph session with the Rainbow Wahine roster.The fundraiser blends community support with a family-kind experience at a premier campus facility.
Event Details
| HAWAI’I SOFTBALL – PRE-SEASON PA’INA FUNDRAISER | |
| DATE & TIME | January 18, 2026, 3:00 P.M. HT |
| SITE | Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium |
| EVENT ACTIVITIES | Hit-A-Thon (UH players only), Home Run Derby (alumnae and guests), Autograph session |
| ADMISSION | Softball alumnae: Free • Alex Reeds: $50 adult, $25 child (6-14). Includes heavy pupu and two drink coupons. |
| HOME RUN DERBY | Participation for guests: $50. Alumnae participate for free. |
| REGISTER | SBPaina2026.eventbrite.com |
| RSVP DEADLINE | Wednesday, January 14, 2026 |
| QUESTIONS? | [email protected] |
| SOCIAL MEDIA |
@HawaiiSB • #HawaiiSB • @HawaiiSoftball |
Fundraising Impact
Proceeds from the Pa’ina will fuel the program’s overhead, including locker-room nutrition supplies, scouting and filming technology, and essential development equipment.The event aims to strengthen UH’s competitive edge while giving fans a memorable, community-driven experience during the off-season.For broader context, collegiate fundraisers like these align with university athletic department goals to sustain programs and invest in student-athletes’ success.
what to Expect for Attendees
Tickets cover a post and pre-game atmosphere with opportunities to meet the 2026 Rainbow Wahine and their coaching staff. The Home Run Derby offers a unique chance for alumnae and guests to showcase power hitting, while current players prepare for the season with fan support behind them. Attendees can also expect signings and photo opportunities with their favorite Hawkeyes-err, Rainbow Wahine-athletes and alumni.
Key Facts at a glance
Summary table below highlights the essentials for fast reference.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Hawai’i Softball – Pre-Season Pa’ina Fundraiser |
| Date & Time | January 18, 2026, 3:00 P.M. HT |
| Venue | Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium |
| Admission | alumnae Free; Alex Reeds $50 (adult) / $25 (6-14); includes pupu and two drinks |
| Activities | Hit-A-Thon (players only), Home Run Derby, Autographs |
| Registration | SBPaina2026.eventbrite.com |
| RSVP Deadline | January 14, 2026 |
| Contact | [email protected] |
| Social | @hawaiisb • #HawaiiSB • @HawaiiSoftball |
Why It Matters: Evergreen Takeaways
Community-backed fundraisers like this one are more than ticket sales. they provide a template for sustaining non-professional sports programs, supporting student-athletes’ resources, and building fan loyalty. As programs invest in scouting technology and nutrition, they reinforce a broader model of athletic excellence that benefits the university and its supporters alike. Readers can follow the team’s season outlook on the UH Athletics site and national softball coverage for trends affecting college programs nationwide.
For updates on UH softball and related events, visit the official Hawai’i Athletics pages and keep an eye on NCAA softball coverage for context on how pre-season fundraisers fit into broader college sports fundraising trends this year.
Engagement questions
Will you be joining the Pre-Season Pa’ina and supporting UH softball this January? Which activity are you most excited to see-Hit-A-Thon, the Home Run Derby, or autographs?
Share your thoughts in the comments and spread the word to fellow fans. Your participation helps sustain student-athletes and their programs for years to come.
Disclaimer: This event involves pre-season activities and fan participation. Please follow university guidelines and local health advisories on the day of the event.For official details and updates, refer to the UH Athletics site and Eventbrite page linked above.
External references: Hawaii Athletics, NCAA Softball.
4).
Rainbow Wahine Softball 2026 Pre‑Season Pa’ina Fundraiser – Event Overview
The University of Hawai’i Mānoa Rainbow Wahine softball team is kicking off the 2026 season with its first‑ever pre‑season Pa’ina fundraiser. Scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2026, the day‑long festivity combines a customary Hawaiian feast with three fan‑focused activities: a Hit‑A‑Thon, a Home Run Derby, and Autograph Sessions with the roster and coaching staff.
- Date & Time: Saturday, 2 Feb 2026 | 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
- Location: Neal S. Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, HI (outside the stadium → ”Rainbow Wahine Softball Pavilion”).
- Tickets: $25 general admission; $40 VIP (includes reserved seating, early‑bird access to the derby, and a signed team photo).
- Fundraising Goal: $75,000 to support scholarships, equipment upgrades, and travel expenses for the 2026 season.
Hit‑A‑Thon – Interactive Fan Challenge
| time | Activity | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Warm‑up Clinics | Certified coaches lead drills for youth (ages 5‑12). Free t‑shirts for participants. |
| 12:45 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. | Hit‑A‑Thon Competition | Participants take turns hitting off a tee. Each accomplished hit earns a $5 donation; max 10 hits per player. |
| 2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. | Live Leaderboard | Top 10 hitters displayed on a digital scoreboard. Winners receive a custom Rainbow Wahine softball bat. |
How to Join
- Register online at archyde.com/rainbow-wahine-hitathon by February 5.
- Arrive with a valid ID and a signed waiver.
- Bring a water bottle-hydration stations will be available throughout the venue.
Home Run Derby – Power Meets Community
Format & Rules
- Three rounds – 5 swings per contestant; longest distance wins each round.
- Equipment – Official NCAA‑approved softball; balls are pre‑tested for consistency.
- Safety – Netting and protective barriers are installed to meet NCAA safety standards.
Schedule
- 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Preliminary round (open to all ticket holders).
- 5:15 p.m. – 5:45 p.m.: Semi‑finals (top 8 distances).
- 6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.: Championship round (final 4).
Prizes
- 1️⃣ First‑place: $1,000 cash donation to the player’s preferred charitable cause + exclusive team merchandise.
- 2️⃣ Second‑place: $500 cash donation + signed team jersey.
- 3️⃣ Third‑place: $250 cash donation + personalized softball.
Tips for Spectators
- Arrive early to secure a good view of the derby field.
- Use the official QR code on the scoreboard to vote for the “Fan Favourite”-your vote supports an additional $5 donation per vote.
Autograph Sessions – Meet the Rainbow Wahine
| Session | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Player Autographs | 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. | “Aloha” lounge, near the entrance. |
| Coaching Staff Q&A | 5:50 p.m.-6:15 p.m. | Main stage, beside the derby arena. |
| VIP Photo Ops | 6:40 p.m.-7:00 p.m. | VIP lounge (access with VIP ticket). |
what to Expect
- players will sign softball memorabilia, t‑shirts, and personalized thank‑you cards.
- Coaches will answer fan questions about training,season outlook,and the Pa’ina tradition.
- All autograph items are donation‑free; though, fans are encouraged to contribute to the fundraising goal while they’re there.
Sponsorship & Community Partnerships
The Pa’ina fundraiser welcomes local businesses and national brands to showcase thier support through tiered sponsorship packages:
- platinum Sponsor – $15,000
- Logo on all event signage and digital livestream.
- Reserved booth space (10 × 10 ft).
- 20 VIP tickets + exclusive meet‑and‑greet with the team.
- Gold Sponsor – $7,500
- Branding on Hit‑A‑Thon scoreboards.
- Half‑size booth.
- 10 VIP tickets.
- Silver Sponsor – $3,000
- Logo on event flyers and social media posts.
- 5 VIP tickets.
Current Partners (as of December 2025)
- Hawaiian Airlines – Platinum sponsor, providing travel vouchers for senior players.
- hawai’i Pacific Health – Gold sponsor, offering free health screenings during the event.
- Aloha Brewing Co. – Silver sponsor, supplying a “Rainbow Wahine” craft brew for the Pa’ina feast.
Practical Tips for Attendees
- Parking: free valet service is available from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; follow signs to the “wahine Parking Zone.”
- Food & Beverage: Traditional Hawaiian dishes-poke, laulau, kalua pork-are served buffet‑style. Vegetarian and gluten‑free options are marked.
- Accessibility: The venue is wheelchair‑accessible; assistive listening devices are provided for the Q&A session.
- Weather Plan: In case of rain, the event will move to the indoor arena at the Blaisdell Center. Updates will be posted on the official Rainbow Wahine social media channels and the archyde.com event page.
Expected Impact on the 2026 Season
- Financial Support: Early fundraising accelerates scholarship awards for incoming freshmen and upgrades to the team’s high‑tech training facility at the Hawai’i Sports Center.
- Community Engagement: The Pa’ina model creates a cultural bridge, reinforcing the team’s identity as ambassadors of Hawaiian heritage.
- Recruitment Boost: Visibility from the hit‑athon and derby showcases the program’s energetic habitat,attracting top high‑school talent from the West Coast and Pacific Islands.
Key Takeaways for fans & Supporters
- Register early for the Hit‑A‑Thon and secure a spot in the Home Run Derby.
- Purchase a VIP ticket for exclusive access to autograph sessions and a signed team photo.
- Consider sponsoring or donating-your contribution directly funds scholarships and equipment for the Rainbow Wahine 2026 season.
For real‑time updates, ticket sales, and sponsor details, visit the official event page on archyde.com or follow @RainbowWahineSoftball on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
