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VIDEO: Hotel Check-In and Hawai'i Bowl Lu'au Video Recap

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HONOLULU – The first half of the day was all business once again on Tuesday for the University of Hawai'i football team, as the Rainbow Warriors opened the day with another focused workout at Cooke Practice Field before making the transition to their bowl home for the week.
 
Bright and early at 8:00 a.m., the Rainbow Warriors went through a two-hour practice in shells, displaying the same spirited focus that began the week, including intensive scouting periods and of course, conditioning, as they prepare to face the uptempo spread offense of Middle Tennessee.
 
"The players have done a nice job," head coach Nick Rolovich told media on Tuesday morning. "This week has been real for them. They're more back to their routine, which is good, but there's no doubt we've got an incredible challenge coming up."
 
Next on the schedule was a move to their home away from home, and an added emphasis by the staff on avoiding distractions and bringing their real goals into focus.
 
"This isn't a week-long party in Waikiki," Rolovich said. "This is something that they've earned, but they also need to treat it with the respect that this is a major football game for us – not only for this year, but for the future of the program."
 
Following practice and breakfast, the team took in a security briefing with representatives from the Honolulu Police Department. The next stop, their home for the four days leading up to the Hawai'i Bowl – the Moana Surfrider Hotel – complete with an all-out welcoming and orchid leis for every guest.
 
As the sun set along the shore, it was time to take in some familiar local culture in tandem with Middle Tennessee, with the first major bowl event – the Hawai'i Bowl Lu'au on the terrace at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. For over two hours, players, coaches and staff from both programs took in the traditional dances and music stylings from all across the Pacific, including a traditional Hula, teaching of the Hukilau and fire knife dancers. Not to mention an outstanding spread of local dishes, as well as aloha attire provided by the hosts.
 
On Wednesday, the Rainbow Warriors will again mix business with pleasure. UH returns to campus early for a 9:30 a.m. practice, followed by an afternoon tour of Pearl Harbor.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will meet the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 3:00 p.m. HT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN and will be available on the WatchESPN app on mobile devices and gaming consoles. For tickets, visit the Hawai'i Ticket Office online, in person at the Stan Sheriff Center box office, or by phone at (808) 944-2697.

Game 14 Information
What: Hawai'i Bowl
Who: Hawai'i (6-7, 4-4 MW-2nd West) vs. Middle Tennessee (8-4, 5-3 C-USA-3rd East)
When: Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016
Time: 3:00 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu
Stadium: Hawaiian Tel FCU Field at Aloha Stadium
National Television: ESPN with Chris Cotter (play-by-play), Mark May (analyst) and Maria Taylor (sidelines). ESPN Deportes with Kenneth Garay (play-by-play) and Alex Pombo (analyst)
National Radio: ESPN Radio with Kevin Winter (play-by-play) and Mike Golic, Jr. (analyst)
Local Radio: ESPN 1420AM with Bobby Curran (play-by-play), John Veneri (analyst), and Mark Veneri (sidelines). Chris Hart and Gary Dickman host the "Countdown To Kickoff" beginning at 1:00 p.m. HT, and also the halftime show. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona, KTOH on Kaua'i, and KNWJ in Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Video Streaming: www.espn.com/watchespn
Audio Streaming: www.espn.com/espnradio
Live Stats: HawaiiAthletics.com
Series Information: 2nd meeting
Bowl Central: Bowl Central on HawaiiAthletics.com