First Disclaimer: ☻ (All pictures were either taken (i.e. “cockroached”) from public sites or taken personally (i.e. photographically, “not cockroached”) at the games or other public events. Stats were “cockroached” from and remain the exclusive property of the respective “cockroachees” i.e. The NCAA or WAC (and they may copy and paste them back at any time). All “cockroached” pictures remain the exclusive property of the respective “cockroachees” from which they were originally “cockroached” and unless otherwise advised, I will assume they were placed in the public domain to be to be consumed by the public (and well, you know… “cockroached”). ☻

 

 RAWNEWS

 

 

3/11/08/---  The new “Official Miss Honolulu” page is now up and at

www.raeceen.com

 

I absolutely LOVE everything about this place!

 

 


This is an unsolicited, unauthorized, and unofficial website thanking, honoring and in tribute to:

Second Disclaimer:

 

 

There is no ‘I’ anywhere in

Raeceen Anuenue Woolford

 

A gift and tribute to Raeceen Woolford and the Woolford ohana.

An amazing and inspirational Hawaiian, athlete, and person. Thank you for sharing your time and story with the perennial fans. You will be missed!

 

-Da cute!

 

 

 

 


RAW News Archives      RAW Stats     RAW Pics 

 

 

Joe, why did you go to the effort to create this site?

 

The reason that I created this site is to thank, honor, pay tribute, and bid a fond aloha, to a UH athlete with an incredible story (The #15 at UH J!). An outstanding athlete that I believe to be one of the most complete, inspirational, and least hyped that I have ever watched play, played with, known, or knew of. Also, because I was off today, information technology is what I do for a living, found the domain name “raeceen.com” had not been taken, and thought that doing this would just be a really nice “random act of kindness” to do☻! (On top of all that, I did have something to say and my family crest motto is “nil penna, sed usus” (it’s kind of the “Duh!” clarification of the ancient postulate that led to the phrase popularized as “The pen is mightier than the sword”). When we adopted the motto in the 16th or 17th century, I’m not sure if we were kinda’ slow or if the people we hung with were kinda’ slow (“not the pen [itself], but its use”…ya’ think?!?). Anyway, enjoy another random act!) The next six pictures tell the story without words wonderfully (1,2,4,5,6, not cockroached) 1) Enthusiasm, 2) Focus, 3) Strength, 4) Character, 5) Depth (and respect for others), 6) Heritage.

 

[I didn’t notice this until it was pointed out to me by another fan after seeing the page. The eyes in these pics are most definitely the direct pathway to her soul (and intent), even the keiki pic. Thx Lisa!]

 

 

[I had not been formally introduced to Raeceen or her family when I originally wrote this tribute last November. I had written it because of the very unique and extremely strong spirit and athleticism that I saw in her weekly during each season, while following the Rainbow Wahine over several years which had encompassed her career at UH. I’m lucky, my company has a season ticket program (good company). She will be very much missed by the team, UH, and the fans.]

 

There have been many articles written locally and some nationally about her and unlike with most of the athletes that I have either known or knew of, her articles reconcile completely with what I have seen. Having lived down the road from the University of Michigan while growing up, then graduating from and living 2 miles from the University of Oklahoma and supporting OU athletics for 20 years, and now living here and supporting UH athletics, I have seen and known many outstanding division 1A athletes and several coaches (mostly basketball and football) from top 25 schools. No athlete that I knew was of this caliber, even the ones that I knew that turned pro (or the two that I knew that became U.S. Congressman out of Oklahoma!). Just to give you an idea about what made Raeceen stick out ahead of the rest, at one game early in this season, as a fifth year senior, she came off the bench during a quick time out, with a towel, because she saw a wet place on the court where a teammate had dove on the last play while the ‘official’ towel girls were busy doing that on the opponents side. She got down and wiped it up! She didn’t do it because she thought she would get hurt, she didn’t just hand her teammate the towel and say, “here”, she did it because her inner spirit told her that it was the right thing to do! Pure selflessness! I don’t recall ever seeing another division 1 athlete do anything close (that didn’t directly involve their own peril) in all my games and years, let alone a 5th year senior!

 

Raeceen played her last home game at the University of Hawaii on 11/21/2007 and this is my perspective and observations of her career here. It is a privilege and honor to tell this story.

 

Alright Bud, I’ve never been to Hawaii. What’s the story? Wow me!

A’’ight! Raeceen Woolford is the epitome of the traditional Hawaiian wahine, a fitting quality for her school (University of Hawaii Rainbow Warriors/Wahine). It also has not gone unnoticed here in Hawaii that she was a “child of destiny” as well. Anuenue, in Hawaiian, means “Rainbow”. If she ever proclaims, “Eh, ‘Rainbow’ is my middle name”, well…it really is her middle name☻!

 

Ok, I know what you’re thinking on the mainland, “isn’t the English translation of wahine woman/female?”

 

From my study here though (and learning to understand and know the dynamics and wonderful indigenous people of Hawaii, which has been a true labor of love), I believe this particular definition of wahine to be fairly incomplete in translation. Sort of like the different depths between ‘crystal chandelier at the palace’ and ‘overhead light on the ceiling’ and how the depth of the multi-faceted ‘Aloha’ absolutely pales the English ‘hello’ in meaning ( i.e. ‘Hello’ is a word, ‘Aloha’ is a concept! That’s really something to think about. Find another language where one of the base words used by 3 year olds, is an abstract concept!). To me, in Hawaiian, wahine is also an abstract concept, not a word. It means “proud, dignified, equal, righteous (not the pious spouting righteous, but the respected and revered righteous, the righteous in deed, not just word), strong, confident, female, and possessor of some facets of the human spirit which seem to be unattainable by men” with a great potential to be a wonderful “comrade-in-arms, confidant, ally, friend, partner, or complement”. I think you get the idea, a person with all the best qualities in human kind who also happens to be female.

 

So, give me some specific examples of this ‘concept’.

 

The two largest composite qualities of the most famous Hawaiian wahine that I’ve studied here are, exceptionally strong personal character (including selflessness off the charts) and an extremely large heart. One doesn’t have to look any further back than the late 1800’s to find this definition personified in Hawaiian greatness in publication. H.R.H. Queen Lili‘uokalani* of Hawaii (1838 - 1917) personified these Hawaiian traits. Also an intellectual, she would often win debates, at court and during her worldwide travels, hands down and with flawless reason and logic. Her written words are very reflective of this and her strong personal character. The only real flaw in her life, that I found, was in trusting that others would eventually do the right thing if given enough time. She had faith beyond self, past self detriment. My hope is that we (the others) have become more educated since her time. Today, with the overwhelming financial and cultural influences of the U.S. and Orient, it is really difficult for Hawaiian youth to maintain their identity and heritage. When you find those that are coming out of their youth that have kept or found rekindled, their Hawaiian spirit (Kolohe, or not J), it needs to be protected and nurtured by all for the betterment of humankind (sorry, very deep personal feelings there!).

 

* (“HAWAII'S STORY BY HAWAII'S QUEEN” by Lili‘uokalani, 1898). If you are not from here, you really need to read this book! Contemplate the objectivity of the author in light of what happened. I believe this selflessness to be an intrinsic Hawaiian trait that still lives on in those who carry the Hawaiian spirit today. I was humbled to my knees by her selflessness and strength of character, as well, while reading her words. It’s a great start into learning the complex dynamics that are Hawaii. (Starting to sound like Oprah and her book club here!) If you care to dig deeper, you will also find these traits in all who preceded her in the line of succession. In particular, H.S.H Queen Consort Kapiolani or H.R.H. Queen Emma were wonderful examples (I believe my use of protocols to still be correct).

 

   Ok Joe, I’m feelin’ ya’ on this…but Raeceen, an athlete of legend??? “That’s bold talk for a one-eyed fat man!” (from “True Grit” …and BTW, I have two good eyes and I’m just big boned, dangit  !).

 

Without question or reservation! To me, historically, a “complete” team athlete must only “have” three qualities and their proofs, to support the claim. A “legend” is nothing less than exemplary in all 3 qualities …and then some. For a legend, it is life centric not sport centric. There is also a pretty neat paradox in “the test”, as the “legend” or even the “complete” team athlete, by virtue of possessing one of these qualities, can not claim this for themselves! …no surprise here, Raeceen shrugs off these types of accolades when made in the local press.

 

1.     Strength of character:

The Hawaiian that I admire most (sorry, Raeceen’s second [but she’s first living, if that helpsJ]) summed up her own strength of character in one word, “Onipa`a” (steadfast).  Raeceen has exhibited this quality to the same Hawaiian standard and as mentioned above, in ways that leave one absolutely and totally humbled in her wake. I am a former U.S. Army Captain and Commander and (until I arrived in Hawaii) not so easily humbled (hey, Captain and Commander, wasn’t that a movie about the lesser of two weevils??? No, wait that was “Master and Commander” ☻)! Also, I don’t think that anyone, who has not competed at division 1 or equivalent (i.e. something else that filters out at 3 orders of magnitude over time), can fully grasp the gravity of what Raeceen went through during her career at UH and how incredibly tall and dignified she carried herself through her trial, head held high, and with the proud ancestral Hawaiian spirit burning blindingly bright inside (I’m guessing a quality she inherited from an equally strong mother or grandmother, as she accepted, and enthusiastically executed, her new role on the team. Did it hurt not to play? [I would be absolutely fascinated to hear her reflect deeply on this period of time in her life, but all I can do at this point is just guess here and pull from my own personal experiences, but I would bet that…] Yes, and one can not imagine…  After having some friends that had dealt with this “inevitable eventuality of all athletics” successfully in the distant past (as well as some who to this day still have not been able to slay their beast!), I can tell you it’s a very dark demon that strikes fast, ferocious, and very late at night when you are alone. If you don’t defeat it (as my good Bahamian friends from the other side of the mainland would say), it will eat-your-soul! If one does defeat it though, as Raeceen did, it changes you forever. You’ll look at life from a changed perspective and a new position of greater inner strength. It truly is an awakening or metamorphosis where when complete, you walk a much straighter path. For most athletes, playing is truly an addiction and has all the inherent hallmark properties of one, when you really think about it.  Playing is what you’ve trained all of your life to do. It’s the payoff for all the hard work! Most of the athletes that I have known, have had a LOT of trouble with this transition (breaking the addiction) and understanding that it will eventually happen in all athletes’ careers at some point in time (even theirs!). One’s strength of character is what determines how well one deals with it. i.e. Whether one just totally caves, crashes, and burns, or whether one has enough inside to make it to the other side. There are a lot of broken former athletes out here!  We (fans) never saw or heard a thing during her battle with the demon. All we saw was her strength of character coming through like a bright beacon in the night. I submit to you, exemplary (and very Hawaiian!).

 

Let me explain a little further about competitive sport at this point (for those who know, you may skip to “2. Skills in sport:”…and you’re welcome).

 

In any team sport, just like a career, there is always someone right over your shoulder looking to take your place. It’s been going on since your first day of practice at 5-10 years old when one starts into competition and it does not stop until you are done! In sports, as with any other competitive endeavor, every level one ascends from youth increases the competitive level exponentially…or more and shrinks the gaps in skill levels between competitors by just as much! In the US there are around 100,000 junior high schools, 37,000 high schools and only 119± division 1A colleges (the level typically considered just under pro). That means for every single division 1A athlete, there are around 311 high school student athletes that fell. That comes out to what, an average of one high school athlete per high school conference that makes it here? Remember, there are a lot of high schools that have multiple division 1A athletes but that means that there are THOUSANDS that do not have 1! Since Raeceen is in a top 10 program in 1A, that also means there would be about 36,970± people, assuming 1 per school specializing in her position, looking over her shoulder and picturing themselves in her shoes! As an athlete in a top 10 program in 1A, it also means (arguably) she is at least the 30th best or better at her position in the world and in the top 150 in her sport, over all, just in “skills”! How many of us can say that in our lives today, let alone when we were only 22?

Sometimes, because of the exponentially increased parity at each level of ascendance, when it finally gets to division 1A, the differences in skills per position are miniscule (but still significant) and an athlete selection on a team just boils down to a coach’s subjective judgment, as no two players in the same position have exactly the same skill set and strengths to evaluate side by side (but all have exemplary base skills of their sport and position). There are also intangibles to consider like, “Do I bench the senior to develop someone for this and future years?” “What are my overall risks?” Logically, you can only play one per position, and you must choose one person, to start building first team cohesiveness for the season ahead (It’s a team and must function as one entity). Sometimes selection becomes just a non-personal, best guess, decision. Raeceen went from playing every game in a season, to getting very little playing time in her last year. Instead of self destructing (like I know I sure would have at that stage of my life), she became the heart and soul of the team, lending her experience and spirituality to the players and making them a much stronger and a more cohesive group. Her coach was lucky to have her as she is the definition of selflessness and character and a highly motivational example.

 

 

 

2.     Skills in sport:

Raeceen is a member of one of the top 10 teams, in her sport, in the country. She has the best vertical jump (36+”) in the history of this multiple NCAA championship program. When she is on the court, she is the quickest to the ball and can get to just about any point on the floor, at any time. I have also heard that she is the fastest in sprints at practice and “hyper flexible” (I got a big kick out of hearing that, speaking to her practicing yoga! It was the first time I ever heard the phrase “hyper flexible”.) She is the best in multiple categories of skills and they even invented a new phrase for her! I submit to you, exemplary.

 

3.     Physical strength:

Raeceen is 5’7” and squats 275 Lbs! That’d be me +45 and as stated above, is the quickest in sprints and on the floor. She is the complete package. She did a publicity shot (the one just above that I “cockroached” from our local newspaper) demonstrating her yoga skills. Zoom in on the leg she’s using for support. In particular, the calf area to the upper thigh (Sorry if it sounds a little dehumanizing, I’m making a point though) It could have been sculpted marble, every muscle in perfect line and definition. This SCREAMS physical strength, discipline, and conditioning! Again, I submit to you, exemplary.

 

           

So Joe, that’s a lot of information about someone that you have not formally met. What are you, some kind of “Paparazzi Stalker”? How did this story come about?

 

☻ No, it’s the accumulation of over 5 years of published information and going to the games (and use proper Italian, it’d be “Paparazzo [eg:1] Stalker” anyway☻)   I do imagine that one of the reasons that this became such an interesting story for me was how it exemplifies the traditional Hawaiian traits and values that I have come to learn, respect, admire, and even envy!

 

She’s actually been a really interesting person and story (to me anyway and since this is my page and you’re reading this, apparently…to you too!). She reminds me a lot of one of my nieces who just graduated Wake Forrest last year. I am absolutely convinced (as with my niece) that this wahine is headed for very great things after college when she hangs up her sneakers. As I stated above, my company has a commitment to this wonderful community and also supports UH and other athletics as well. Through my company’s benevolence (mostly), I attend Winter Baseball, UH volleyball, basketball, and football, all the bowls here, some high school sporting events, and a BUNCH of the wonderful cultural events. For sports, I typically go for the “social” aspects while the sport being played gives the group a common point of communicative reference.

 

This story started a few years back, at a UH volleyball game, I remember that I was talking to some friends (I’m an extravert, surprised J!) and saw a white/black flash from the back court out of the corner of my eye, after the other team had spiked the ball to an open place in the middle on the other side from Raeceen, where another UH player had been drawn out of position by the prior action of the opponent, (BTW, that took a lot longer time to write than to actually happen!). It was a dig opportunity that my brain had already categorized as “missed” or “point them” ☻. When I turned to check the scoreboard, the ball was still in play and being set by UH. It took me a while to figure out how that happened and who “dug” it, but I eventually tracked it back to Raeceen’s phenomenal ability and range on the floor. It compensated for a teammate’s mental error. It wasn’t a real big deal to me at the time (after all, it was Raeceen’s knees and elbows, not mine☻[kidding!]), just one of those standout “Hmmm” with a little touch of “Wow” moments!

 

As time went on, I went to more games, more articles came out, more stats racked up (including “The famous 4-0 service run with a back court kill and I think there was also a 14-0 service run stuck in there too”!), and I started paying more attention to the phenomenal athleticism. She really “brought it” all game AND every game. If I had to describe how my fascination with her story developed over her career here, I’d have to say it was just like any good book that you’ve ever read, you look at the cover (the white/black flash☻), if it interests you a little, you read the author’s comments, if you’re still interested, the preface, then the first chapter, and eventually you’re hooked and (several years later in this case) at the end of the book, contemplating the meaning of the story. It was a lot like that. I was absolutely hooked in the chapter where Raeceen transitioned from playing nightly to sparsely and when she emerged from a tribulation that would have crippled most in 1A who have worked so hard to hone their craft for such a long period of time, to near perfection, and had also been successful at this level. She emerged a leader, stronger, confident, with the heart of a lion, and as the heart and soul of the team. I have served with people like this in the Army. It’s really easy in retrospect now to understand her heritage and just say, “Duh, what did you expect from her? It’s who she was always destined to be!” Maybe true, but an incredible and inspirational story and person, none the less. This is a person and story that I’ll reference for the rest of my life, when I need an example of strength of character and heart.

Thanks for sharing this testimonial, Joe! You did it. I am highly wowed, what’s next?

 

            Well, this is the close of this chapter in her life and perhaps the end of the story of her public life. God knows she deserves some time to herself to reflect on her many accomplishments! Her legend will most definitely live on here at UH for a long, long, time. I expect, as some articles have said, she will complete some graduate work in the sciences (majoring in health science) and then attend medical school. I was hoping she’d go into “geezeratrics”, “geratology” or cardiology (IE: something I would eventually use in 10 or 20 years so I could continue the story ☻) but it looks like pediatrics (Keiki-Kare…eh, I should go see if that domain is taken☻)! I would bet the house (and that’s a LOT of money here in Hawaii!!!) that she will be highly successful in any endeavor she pursues. I would absolutely love to introduce her to my brother at the Schepens Institute at Harvard)!

  **Not so fast—Check Hot News**

 

Hey, if you could say anything you wanted to Raeceen, What would you say?

You don’t think I’ve said enough???

 

Seriously though, in life, best advice as I told my niece…as da’ local kine say at the Waimea Bay rock, ”Give ‘em”! …and follow your dreams. You will amaze yourself as you have amazed us!

Secondly, that keiki pic I “cockroached” from The Star Bulletin article just tugs the heart every time one sees it ☻!

Thirdly, I’d also be happy to help you with any IT issues and setting up your office IT stuff when you’re done with med school and residency, oh…in about 8 years from now ± (and maybe you’ll be able to recommend a good “Geezeratric-Geratologist” by then ☻! I do have stellar IT references and outstanding credentials nationally!

Lastly

… if you ever want this domain name for yourself or for a business you do (Raeceen.com) just ask and it’s yours (I will require proper ID or proof it’s you though to transfer the domain!☻ -AND- This was such a pleasure and honor to do). I thought this last picture (below) was the best (not cockroached)!

 

 

Joe, this was a wonderful tribute to an outstanding athlete. Ok, “she down, she’s in”, we are convinced. She’s officially a legend in collegiate team sports.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. It was an amazing story to actually watch unfold over her career!

 

 

Hey, I would also like to contribute to the content of this page. How can I help?

            Ok, if you notice any errors or misstatements, hit me up with the corrections, I’m human (contact info bottom of page). Remember that I will only post or publish game or officially released pictures and public information without absolute proof of Raeceen’s (or an immediate family member’s) prior approval. It’s an issue of the highest respect. If you have additional action shots of her play, I would LOVE to post them.

 

If you are Raeceen (or a member of the Woolford ohana) and find anything that you would like removed (or added), I will do so with absolutely no hesitation or question. This is a living gift and was created and given out of immense honor and respect for Raeceen, her career at UH, and the entire Woolford ohana.

 

Thank you for sharing your “Anuenue” with us!

It’s not often that one gets to witness the

pure and true heart of the lion.

It beats here!

 

[Perhaps twice???]

 

 

Raeceen, Mahalo nui loa!

Aloha ‘oe

 


 

 

-AND-

Dr. Woolford (in 8 or so years),

E komo mai !

 

 

 

 

Contact Information:

Aloha Joe

The-cne@worldnet.att.net

HomeyHNL  (AOL and Yahoo IM)

 

If you got game pics, send me a note and I’ll give you a different email address with unlimited space!