University of Hawaii fans have often been called "fair weather fans."
But not Lauretta Sewake and Lenora Yagi.
They come to every UH volleyball game -- mens and womens, rain or shine, win or lose.
“We just love volleyball,” said Lauretta.
And the players love them too.
“They been supporting this program for a long time, and it's people like them that make this program special,” said former UH volleyball player, Tony Ching.
They're known as "the aunties."
They've been coming to the games together for the past 12 years.
“One of her friends couldn't come so I took over her seat,” said Lauretta.
And for the past 12 years, the aunties have been giving out lei to the UH players and coaches and to the visiting team as well.
“I love to spread the aloha spirit,” said Lauretta.
UCLA coach Al Scates came over to say hello and accept the lei for his team.
“I told Al Scates I'll be here another 20 years,” said Lauretta. “I'm 75.”
Lauretta and Lenora used to buy all the lei but that got too expensive, so they started making them.
“It takes me about 2 hours, but takes her only 5 minutes she can just look at you and talk and she can do the lei,” said Lauretta.
Sometimes Lenora even makes them on the drive over to the Stan Sheriff Center from their homes in Wahiawa.
‘We have to support our home team even if it costs us a lot of money,” said Lenora.
Because what they get in return is priceless.
“We get a lot of thank yous from people we don't even know, we meet at the stores, the department stores, restaurants even in Las Vegas, when we go to Vegas, they all come and thank us for what we do for UH,” said Lauretta.
And they couldn't do it without the help of some other fans.
“A lot of people donate money and leis to help us,” said Lenora.
“And we really thankful for that,” said Lauretta.
The aunties -- spreading the aloha spirit, one lei at a time.
Lauretta and Lenora also try to make it to the some other UH games as well.
