Honolulu, HI
A highly anticipated matchup between the California Golden Bears and Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors in the Hawai’i Bowl would go down as one of the most memorable Christmas Eve game played. A sold out T.C Ching Field had the place rocking from the start. With Freshman Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and Aiden Manutai making a return home to the islands, it was a homecoming reunion for their first year in the collegiate level. as for the rainbow warriors, they're looking to finish what they've started with freshman qb Micah Alejado. the bows have improved over the last three seasons under head coach, Timmy chang, and have set themselves into the bowl game for the first time under his leadership.
the only football game in the nation was televised on espn. with all eyes being on the game, the people of Hawai'i knew how big this matchup was. two freshman quarterbacks with Hawai'i ties battling it out, two head coaches who were former teammates and former uh head coach, and an all out talented squad on both ends looking to finish the season and year with a win.
a sold out tc Ching stadium would have the crowd rocking on Christmas Eve. sunshine in the 808 state with clear blue skies, this matchup was a perfect game in paradise.
It would be all Cal in the first half as Jaron would go on to pick apart the Hawai’i defense. Jaron would find Jacob de Jesus for the first touchdown of the game followed by two rushing touchdowns by kendrick Raphael and Anthony league. the golden bears made their presence shown in the first half as the rainbow warriors struggled early falling 21-0. with a deficit at large, the bows didn't let that affect them.
You can’t just write off Hawai’i that easily especially at home. They would go on to score 10 points right before the half and keep them into the game down 2 possessions. With a shutout 3rd quarter and a field goal for the Rainbow Warriors, they had the momentum going into the fourth quarter. Micah Alejado would walk down the Cal defense and get two more touchdowns to take the lead in the fourth quarter. Cal would respond with one last touchdown to put them 3 with 2 minutes left by their qb jks.
with that amount of time, you never know what Hawai’i has up their sleeve. Hawai’i would march down the field and it would be the Hawai’i savior Luke Weaver throwing the game winning touchdown to Nick Cenacle with just 10 second left in the game. The touchdown heard across the islands would be the final stamp in this historic Hawai’i Bowl match and the Hawai'i rainbow warriors would stun the California golden bears and end the season with another win against a acc team.
Congratulations to the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors on winning the 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl!
Final Score: Hawai’i 35 - California 31
Congratulations to the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors on winning the 2025 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl!
Final Score: Hawai’i 35 - California 31
for more pictures, head over to our photo gallery
pictures taken by: Alan & Kennedy Velasco - @oscalev_ & @kennnchapo
Luke Weaver Calls Game
Video taken by: Alan Velasco - @oscalev _
