A Complete Transformation, 30 Years in the Making.
At Samson Equipment, we build more than weight rooms we build spaces where athletes and coaches come together to forge strength, discipline, and pride. The newly renovated University of Hawaiʻi Strength & Conditioning Facility is a testament to that commitment. After 30 years, the Warriors’ weight room has undergone its first complete renovation, and we are proud to have been chosen as the outfitter for this monumental project.
Proudly Built for Hawaiʻi’s Only Division I Program
As the only Division I athletics program in the state, the University of Hawaiʻi carries the pride of an entire community. Their athletes represent not just a school, but an entire state—and they deserve a facility that reflects that responsibility and tradition. We worked closely with Thomas Heffernan, Josh Elms, and Ryan Ishihara to design a space that is both highly functional and built to last.
The result: a space that celebrates Hawaiʻi’s legacy of hard work, humility, and excellence.
“We don’t have the budget a lot of schools have, but we take pride in working hard. We’re here for the right reasons. We love our school, our state, and our teams.”
— Thomas Heffernan, Head Strength & Conditioning Coach
What We Delivered
This facility had to meet the unique demands of Hawaiʻi’s athletes and coaches. With over 500 athletes across 21 sports using the room six days a week, we focused on durability, efficiency, and versatility. Every decision was made with input from the coaching staff, ensuring the equipment fit their specific needs and goals.
Samson Equipment Installed:
• 6 Double FTR Flex-Racks
• 6 FTR Combo Flex-Racks
• 6 FTR Flex-Racks
• 24 Combo Bench Vertical Storage Units
• 12 Belts for Samson Belt Squat
• Perform-X Tracking System at each rack.
Our Flex-Rack systems offer unmatched versatility, allowing athletes to perform multiple lifts at a single station—minimizing transition time and maximizing efficiency. The Combo Bench Vertical Storage ensures the room stays open and clean, giving athletes the space they need for warm-ups, jump training, and more without leaving the training zone.
“Even though it’s the same room, it’s opened up considerably. There’s so much we can do now, especially with nothing on the floor.”
— Ryan Ishihara, Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach
Designed for Efficiency & Longevity
When you train athletes six days a week, year-round, your equipment needs to perform as hard as they do. That’s why we outfitted the University of Hawaiʻi with Samson’s strongest steel and most durable components. With 24 integrated rack stations, athletes and coaches can now run larger groups, save time, and increase training efficiency—all in one space.
And because space is at a premium, our custom layout was designed to maximize flow and function. Athletes no longer need to leave for auxiliary work—everything happens here.
“We wanted equipment that would last, because we never know when we’ll be able to do this again.”
— Thomas Heffernan
One Space. Many Teams. One ʻOhana.
This isn’t just a football weight room. It’s a training ground for multiple sports, from football and volleyball to baseball and track. Coaches can run concurrent sessions, building community and camaraderie across teams.
“Having multiple teams train together, meeting new people, building friendships—that’s a critical part of the college experience we promote here.”
— Thomas Heffernan
A Facility That Reflects Hawaiʻi’s Spirit
For the coaches and athletes of the University of Hawaiʻi, this space represents something bigger. It’s a place where blue-collar athletes with humble beginnings can take pride in their hard work, and where the results of that effort are showcased every day.
“As an athlete, you want a space you can take pride in when you show your family and friends back home. As a coach, you need it to function the right way. This facility delivers both.”
— Josh Elms
Mahalo to the University of Hawaiʻi
At Samson, we are honored to partner with programs that represent more than just wins and losses. The University of Hawaiʻi embodies pride, grit, and a deep connection to community—and now they have a weight room that does the same.
Project Overview
• Location: Honolulu, HI Alexander Waterhouse Sports Performance Facility
• Year Completed: 2024
• Facility Size: 10,000
• Samson Install: 6 Double FTR Flex-Racks, 6 FTR Combo Flex-Racks, 6 FTR Flex-Racks, 24 Combo Bench Vertical Storage Units, 12 Belt Squats, Perform-X Tracking System
