The Utah Utes announced this week they will celebrate the Polynesian culture within their program by wearing hand-painted helmets during Saturday’s game against Iowa State, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
The red helmets feature Utah’s interlocking “U” logo and a tribal tattoo – known as kākau – on the right side, while the left side includes the phrase “Malama Lahaina,” an outline of the Hawaiian island of Maui and a depiction of Lahaina’s iconic Front Street, which was destroyed by wildfire in 2023.
Created by Samoan artist Fred Frost of Utah-based Frost City Tattoos, the tattoo represents the islands of Polynesia and the Polynesian players and coaches who have come through the program, while the stripe down the center of the helmet is inspired by the Hawaiian tradition of lauhala weaving.
“Malama,” meanwhile, is the Hawaiian word for caring, nurturing and preserving the land and its people, an important message as the Lahaina wildfire caused more than $5 billion in damage and claimed the lives of 102 people, marking the deadliest weather-related disaster in the state’s history.
The helmets were painted by Armando Villarreal, the owner of an airbrushing company in Nebraska who notably painted Illinois’ 1924 throwback helmets, which replicated their original leather design. He was also tasked with creating the seven previous hand-painted designs the Utes have worn since 2016.
That includes their black “Drum and Feather” helmets in 2016, red “Throw the U” helmets in 2017, Red Tail Hawk helmets in 2018, 1966-67 throwback helmets in 2019, U.S.S. Salt Lake City helmets in 2021, “22 Forever” helmets in 2022 and “The Muss” helmets in 2023.
Utah will pair the new hand-painted helmets with its black throwback uniforms, which debuted in a 23-10 loss to Arizona on Sept. 28. They feature a classic number font, as well as a traditional striping pattern and the interlocking “U” on the sleeves.
Photos courtesy of @Utah_Football on X/Twitter.
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