There were no complaints about the Rainbows’ uniforms and they continued to make a memorable appearance on the field. The ’49 team changed to a green helmet shell with a painted one-and-one-half-inch white center stripe that complemented the multiple stripe pattern on the home and away jerseys. Despite reasonable fan response following the cessation of the War and winning play against the local competition, the inability to compete against the better collegiate teams was painfully apparent in 1949. The 6-3 record included two consecutive season ending losses, a 75-0 disaster against the College Of The Pacific in the season finale, and a Pineapple Bowl game that left UH on the short end of a 74-20 score versus Stanford. Attendance sagged, even with the presence of 1949's Honorable Mention All American end Harry "Clown" Kahuanui. Kahuanui, a great athlete who also excelled on the Rainbows' basketball team and was multiple-time Hawaii Golden Gloves Boxing Champion while still a college student. He became the first UH player to participate in a post-season all-star game, playing in the East West Shrine Game which at the time, was considered to be the most prestigious of the All Star classics. The Korean War and a bout with severe illness prevented a pro career but Kahuanui became a revered high school coach in two sports and a charter member of the National Football Hall Of Fame Association.

If interested in any of these Hawaii helmets please click on the photos below.