By Jason Genegabus

Are you on the bandwagon?

Maybe it’s because I’m a USC graduate (Fight On Trojans!) who is more interested in watching my team destroy Illinois on New Year’s Day, but I’m having a hard time getting jacked up for the Sugar Bowl and the University of Georgia.

That hasn’t stopped local residents from spending thousands of dollars on travel packages to New Orleans, site of the annual bowl game that will feature the country’s only undefeated team (even in overtime, not just ‘regulation’).

The Warriors have also inspired a number of local artists to record new music in tribute to the team’s incredible run. I’ve got singles from Frank De Lima, Willie K and Cory Oliveros for you to listen to after the jump.

And don’t forget to check out my post about the Good Neighbor Fund Holiday Sale for a shot at some Christmas cheer, courtesy yours truly – just be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom of the page!

While it’s not among the best stuff he’s ever written, Frank De Lima’s “Hawaii, We Did It” is a cute tribute to the team that should go over well with families and UH fans who end up at one of the comedian’s performances this holiday season.

Frank De Lima - “Hawaii, We Did It”

“Warriors Cry,” written by Willie K and featuring KITV’s Robert Kekaula and UH mascot Vili the Warrior, is available for download on iTunes and will be available in stores next week.

“We wrote it as a tribute to the boys for their undefeated season,” Willie K said in a press release. “It’s inspired by the team’s Ha‘a.”

By coincidence, both Willie and Vili are scheduled to be part of Na Leo’s “A Christmas Gift” concert tomorrow and Thursday at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. Those in attendance will be the only people to witness a live performance of the track; call 262-6300 for tickets.

Willie K - “Warriors Cry”

My favorite, however, is “The Warriors,” written by Shawn Kekoa Pimental with vocals by Cory Oliveros and chanting by Kaumaka’iwa Kanaka’ole. It’s got the best beat of the three, and the lyrics are inspirational without entering the realm of being too cheesy to take seriously.

“I know that many people have written songs to honor the team but I feel that this song speaks on behalf of the team to the people,” said Pimental. “This song speaks of their march as warriors in a cultural aspect but also as a spiritual one as well.”

Pimental composed the lyrics to the song in Japan, after watching the game on his laptop via the Internet in a hotel room. When he got back to the islands, he quickly enlisted the help of Oliveros and Kanaka’ole, who were eager to contribute their mana’o to the project.

“The Warriors” is also the only song that will help raise money for charity.

“I decided that it will only be available for download on the internet at www.uhwarriors2007.com, and all the proceeds will benefit the Positive Coaching Alliance, which is an organization that goes to schools and sports organizations to train coaches.”

“The money will be donated on behalf of Coach Jones and the UH football team because I know it is their mission to better the community, teaching life lessons through sports.”

Cory Oliveros feat. Kaumaka’iwa Kanaka’ole - “The Warriors”

This entry was posted on Tuesday, December 18th, 2007 at 4:50 pm and is filed under Outside The Club, Audio. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.