The California Golden Bears (7-5) take on the Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (8-4) in the 2025 Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl, a Christmas Eve clash pitting a resilient ACC squad against a surging Mountain West team in a game with home-field implications for the hosts. Cal, under head coach Justin Wilcox in his ninth season, looks to secure its first bowl win since 2019 after a gritty campaign marked by defensive improvements and key upsets. Hawai’i, led by second-year head coach Timmy Chang, aims for its first bowl victory since 2019, riding momentum from a late-season surge and the energy of playing on home turf. This matchup features contrasting styles: Cal’s balanced attack against Hawai’i’s explosive offense, potentially leading to a high-scoring affair if the Warriors’ passing game exploits Cal’s secondary vulnerabilities. With both teams dealing with injuries and opt-outs, the game could hinge on quarterback play and special teams in the tropical setting.
Venue Location
The game will be played at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in Honolulu, Hawaii. This on-campus stadium at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa has a seating capacity of approximately 15,000 and features a FieldTurf surface. Renovated in 2021, it’s known for its intimate atmosphere and scenic views of Diamond Head, hosting the Hawai’i Bowl since 2021 after previous games at Aloha Stadium.
Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, December 24, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. local time/HT). The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with streaming available via ESPN+ and the ESPN app. Radio coverage includes the Cal Sports Network and Hawai’i Sports Network.
Weather Forecast
Honolulu’s tropical climate in late December is typically mild and pleasant. For December 24, 2025, expect daytime highs around 81°F, dropping to 66-70°F by kickoff, with partly cloudy skies and a low 1-3% chance of precipitation. Winds will be around 10-22 mph from the east-northeast, with humidity near 53-80%. These conditions should favor passing games but could introduce breezy elements affecting field goals and punts.
Injury Report
Both teams are navigating significant absences, with Cal’s defense hit hard and Hawai’i missing key offensive pieces, potentially forcing adjustments to run-heavy or conservative schemes.
California Golden Bears Injuries:
- Isaiah Crosby (DB): Out for season (undisclosed); a major blow to the secondary since September.
- Ryan McCulloch (OLB): Out for season (undisclosed); confirmed in late September, impacting pass rush.
- H. Masses (CB): Probable (undisclosed); expected to play but monitored.
- Justin Pippen (undisclosed): Questionable; recent issue could limit depth.
Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors Injuries:
- J. Fetu (CB): Out for season (undisclosed); a key defensive loss.
- Oakie Salave’a (TE): Questionable (undisclosed); status uncertain.
- Joey Farthing (WR): Questionable (undisclosed); part of a thinned receiving group.
- Jordan King (WR): Questionable (undisclosed); could impact passing depth.
- Star wide receiver (undisclosed): Out; confirmed by coach Timmy Chang, a significant blow to the offense.
Key Player Matchups
This bowl highlights quarterback duels and defensive battles, with mobility and secondary play potentially deciding the outcome in a projected close contest.
- Fernando Mendoza (Cal QB) vs. Hawai’i Secondary: Mendoza’s efficiency (2,800+ yards, 20+ TDs) tests a Warriors unit allowing 220+ passing yards per game, led by CB Elijah Palmer (3 INTs).
- Brayden Schager (Hawai’i QB) vs. Cal Front Seven: Schager’s big arm (3,000+ yards, 25 TDs) faces Cal’s improved rush, anchored by OLB Xavier Carlton (8 sacks), in a matchup that could limit deep threats.
- Cal WR Nyziah Hunter vs. Hawai’i S Peter Manuma: Hunter’s speed (700+ yards, 7 TDs) challenges Manuma’s coverage (team-high tackles), where mismatches could lead to explosive plays.
- Hawai’i RB Tylan Hines vs. Cal LB Cade Uluave: Hines’s versatility (800+ all-purpose yards) tests Uluave’s run defense (limited by injury history but key in recent wins), crucial for controlling the pace.
Recent Team Forms
Cal enters with mixed results but strong defensive showings, while Hawai’i surged late with key wins.
California Golden Bears (Last 5 Games): Averaging 27.2 points scored and 24.6 allowed, finishing 3-2 with upsets over ranked teams. Form: W-L-W-L-W.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Nov 29 | vs. SMU | W 24-21 |
| Nov 22 | @ Stanford | L 21-28 |
| Nov 15 | vs. Syracuse | W 35-31 |
| Nov 8 | @ Wake Forest | L 24-38 |
| Nov 1 | vs. Oregon State | W 42-21 |
Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors (Last 5 Games): Averaging 35.4 points scored and 23.8 allowed, closing with a 4-1 run including wins over Air Force and Utah State. Form: W-W-W-L-W.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Nov 29 | vs. Air Force | W 44-35 |
| Nov 22 | @ Utah State | W 44-26 |
| Nov 15 | vs. UNLV | W 29-26 (2OT) |
| Nov 8 | @ Fresno State | L 21-28 |
| Nov 1 | vs. Nevada | W 35-28 |
Conference vs Conference
This pits the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC, Cal) against the Mountain West Conference (MWC, Hawai’i). Historically, Pac-12/ACC teams hold a 76-147 edge over MWC in all games but a closer 15-13 in bowls. Recent trends favor MWC at 1-4 last season, with MWC squads often performing well as underdogs in neutral-site matchups.
Series History
California leads the all-time series 3-2, with games dating back to 1935. The Golden Bears have won three of the last four, including a 51-31 victory in 2016. Hawai’i’s largest win was 14-0 in the 1935 Rose Bowl. The series features an average of 38 combined points, trending over in recent matchups.
Betting Trends
- California is 6-6 ATS overall but 4-1 ATS in its last five as favorites.
- Hawai’i is 7-5 ATS and 4-2 ATS as underdogs, often covering at home.
- The over has hit in 6 of Cal’s 12 games and 7 of Hawai’i’s last 10.
- In MWC vs. ACC/Pac-12 bowls, underdogs have covered in 4 of the last 6.
Game Odds
California Golden Bears 52.5
Hawai’I Rainbow Warriors – 1.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Tuesday, December 23, 2025
