About Us

Braddahhood & Sistahhood Grindz Enters Year Five with Over $1 Million in Community Support for UH Athletics

Now in its fifth year, Braddahhood & Sistahhood Grindz continues to strengthen the connection between local businesses and University of Hawaii Athletics. With 20 participating restaurants and more than 50 corporate partners, total community contributions are projected to exceed $1 million by the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.

While the program was founded to support UH Football, its impact has expanded across the athletics department. Participating teams to date include football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s golf, women’s water polo, women’s soccer, women’s beach volleyball, and baseball.

Beyond nutrition and team bonding, career development has become a central pillar of the initiative. The program now supports student-athletes through professional development workshops, resume building, mock interviews, networking opportunities, and direct job placement. Over the past five years, the collective has facilitated:

More than 10,000 meals provided
Over 50 community and corporate engagement events
More than 20 post-graduation job placements

“Braddahhood Grindz is helping with player retention and recruiting,” said Timmy Chang, UH Head Football Coach. “Our players pour their hearts out on the field, and one of the greatest feelings is knowing the community they represent stands firmly behind them.”

“I am deeply grateful to the participating restaurants and businesses that support this innovative program,” said Ryan Tanaka, founder of Braddahhood & Sistahhood Grindz. “What began as a way to nourish our players has evolved into a comprehensive nutrition, team-building, and career development platform that gives UH Athletics a competitive edge.”

Background:

Braddahhood Grindz was founded in the summer of 2022 by Ryan Tanaka, President & CEO of KAI Hawaii, USI, and several local restaurant concepts including Giovanni Pastrami, CJ’s, Round Table Pizza at Hilton Hawaiian Village, and Pounders Restaurant at the Polynesian Cultural Center.

The initiative was created to support UH Head Football Coach Timmy Chang by ensuring players had consistent access to quality meals during the offseason. In its inaugural year, four restaurants Giovanni Pastrami, Gyotaku Japanese Restaurants, Kuhio Ave Food Hall, and Ruby Tuesday Hawaii provided weekly meals over an eight-week summer period for players and staff.

To operate in alignment with NCAA guidelines, Tanaka established Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements with participating student-athletes. Under these agreements, players “Help, Thank, and Promote” program partners by sharing their experiences through personal appearances, community engagement, and social media outreach.

Today, Braddahhood & Sistahhood Grindz stands as one of Hawaii’s most community-driven NIL collectives built on the belief that athletic excellence is strengthened when local businesses and student-athletes grow together.