Behind Enemy Lines: Hawai'i

Behind Enemy Lines is a weekly feature on HurricaneSports.com, highlighting the passion of Miami fans in opposing team territory. And if you’re reading this from Atlanta, Ga., give us a shout at @HurricaneSports – we want to hear from you.
This week, the Canes are playing in the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu, Hawai’i. Honolulu happens to be the home of one of Miami’s biggest fans and he is this week’s Cane “Behind Enemy Lines” …
Ross Kumasaki2009 University of Miami GraduateHonolulu, HI
How did you become a Hurricanes fan?“I’ve been a fan since around 1997. Growing up, I always went to Hawai’i baseball games and I remember that year Miami came to play them and I really liked them.”
Do you find it difficult supporting Miami while living in Hawai’i?“At times, yes, people out here are for the most part very loyal to either Hawai’i or teams with players from Hawai’i. With regional broadcasting, we usually do not get many Miami games here. We mainly see West Coast or Midwest teams. However, since ESPN3 was created, the games have been easier to catch.” 
Is there a place you visit to watch Hurricanes games in the city?“Usually, I will watch many games at either sports bars or at my home or at a fellow alumni’s home. Sports bars are sometimes hard since games from the west coast are of higher priority on the TVs.”
Have you found any other Hurricanes fans in Hawai’i?“Believe it or not, there are a good number of fans out here. We have an alumni group that we get together with a few times a year for games or other events. There are about 50 or so students from Hawai’i attending The U as well.” 
How do you support the Hurricanes – Any apartment decorations? Do you have a favorite piece of Canes gear? Travel for games?“I have many decorations around the home, most of which are from my years working for the baseball team under GM. I have team photos, stuff given from trips to ACC tournaments or the College World Series and other Miami baseball items but my favorite piece is my 2008 ACC Championship ring. As far as travel, it’s hard to make it to many games. Living so far away makes it hard when it comes to cost and flight times, but I do intend to make it back to Miami for a baseball series soon. It is nice when a Miami team comes out here and I always try to show my support when the Canes are around.”
Any favorite memories or stories from your time as a Hurricanes basketball fan?“Probably the Duke game from the ’07-08 season. That was a huge win for the Canes. I was there with former Hurricane pitcher Kyle Bellamy and a few other players. The whole game, Bells was talking about rushing the court if Miami won. The rest of us there (Jason Hagerty, Blake Tekotte and Jon Weislow) were going to do it with him, but when it came down to it he backed out so none of us did.”