Hawaii Basketball Shocker: Rainbow Warriors Pull Off Last-Second Upset—Watch the Must-See Highlights

HONOLULU—Hawaii basketball is riding a February wave, from packed college arenas in Mānoa to sold-out high-school gymnasiums on Oʻahu and the Big Island. The past seven days delivered milestone wins, heartbreak, and fresh intrigue for a fan base that never sleeps on hoops. H2: Rainbow Warriors seize signature win, stay alive in Big West race Junior guard Keon Sabbatini’s buzzer-beating floater lifted the University of Hawaiʻi Rainbow Warriors over UC Irvine, 67-66, before 9,400 at SimpliFi Arena, tightening a crowded Big West standings board. UH (12-3, 4-1 Big West) trailed by eight with 3:11 left, but a 12-3 closing burst fueled by full-court pressure swung momentum and may prove decisive in March seeding. H3: Revenge week looms on the road The Warriors fly to California for a Thursday rematch with the Anteaters, who grabbed payback in Irvine two weeks ago, 87-76 in overtime. Head coach Eran Ganot said the split “keeps everything on the table,” but emphasized better defensive close-outs after giving up 11 triples in the loss. H2: Rainbow Wahine win streak snapped but postseason résumé solid Across campus, the Rainbow Wahine saw their six-game surge halted by UC San Diego, yet remain second in the league behind Long Beach State. Sophomore forward Kelsie Imai (15.8 ppg over the streak) has emerged as a legitimate All-Big West candidate, boosting UH’s NET ranking into the low 70s. H2: Kamehameha Kapālama repeats as girls Division I state champion Prep hoops stole the spotlight Friday night when Kamehameha Kapālama defeated perennial rival ‘Iolani, 50-39, to clinch consecutive HHSAA crowns for the first time since 2000. Tournament MVP Nihoa Dunn dropped 18 points and called the moment “the dub we worked for since summer workouts.” The Warriors finished 4-0 against the Red Raiders this season and are projected favorites again in 2027 with three starters returning. H3: Championship weekend continues in Hilo On Saturday, the Division II title tips at Hilo Civic Auditorium as Hawaii Baptist battles Pearl City. The contest caps a banner year for neighbor-island venues after BIIF hosted record crowds for its boys semifinals. H2: Eyes already on the 2026 Maui Invitational With mainland fervor for paradise tournaments surging, the 2026 Maui Invitational field—Arizona, BYU, Clemson, Colorado State, Ole Miss, Providence, VCU and Washington—was confirmed this week, promising another nationally televised showcase for Hawaii basketball culture. Ticket demand is expected to outpace the Lahaina Civic Center’s 2,400 seats; local fans are advised to join the presale list by March 1. H2: What’s next • Feb 10 – UH men at UC Irvine (ESPN+ 5 p.m. HST) • Feb 11 – UH women vs Long Beach State (Spectrum Sports 7 p.m.) • Feb 12 – HHSAA D-II boys championship, Stan Sheriff Center • Feb 15 – Rainbow Warriors host UC Riverside, “Keiki Court” promotion From the college hardwood to high-school dynasties, Hawaii basketball is surging into the national conversation just as bracket season heats up. Keep it locked here for daily updates, roster moves, and recruiting buzz as the islands’ hoops heartbeat grows louder every week.