VERMILLION, S.D. – There was more than just fun in the sun and basketball for the South Dakota men's hoops team during its near week-long stay in Hawai'i.
 
While the Coyotes took care of business on the court, going 3-0 during the Rainbow Warrior Classic with wins over Pacific, Hawai'i and Florida A&M, the team also spent some of its down time taking in some of the sites and participating in cultural experiences while on the island of Oahu.
 
Prior to its first game, the travel party got to take part in a traditional luau, a Hawaiian party accompanied with music.
 
For Kruz Perrott-Hunt, a freshman from Auckland, New Zealand, the luau reminded him of his heritage.
 
"Going to the luau was a really interesting experience about the Polynesian Islands, and being a part of that reminded me of home and where I'm from," Perrott-Hunt said. "I loved the fact that the guys got to experience a little bit of my culture and some of them even got up and danced which was hysterical."
 
Stanley Umude, a junior from San Antonio, Texas, was named tourney Most Outstanding Player on the court, but also enjoyed the off-the-court activities the Coyotes were able to participate in.
 
"The luau was a great experience," Umude said. "Great food and vibes. It was unforgettable!"
 
Brandon Armstrong, a senior guard, echoed Umude's sentiments.
 
"The luau was great experience to learn more about the culture of Hawai'i. I felt a part of the Hawaiian experience even from the food and dances."


 
While the luau took part ahead of the official start to the Rainbow Classic, the Coyotes spent their one off day touring the Pearl Harbor Memorial and learning about the attacks on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and the subsequent entry of the United States into World War II.
 
The day spent at the Memorial left a lasting impression on the entire travel party.
 
"Not being from America, I really didn't understand just how impactful the events at Pearl Harbor were," said Tasos Kamateros, a freshman from Athens, Greece. "Watching the documentary and literally looking down on the sunken USS Arizona was an experience I will never forget."
 
"Pearl Harbor was such a cool experience," said Tyler Peterson, who hails from Lino Lakes, Minnesota. "I learned a lot about the history of Hawai'i, World War II and what happened in 1941. The coolest experience was visiting the site of the USS Arizona. It gave me chills to see the names of the men who still rest on the ship today and those survivors who have joined them."
 
"Pearl Harbor was something I learned about in high school, but I never thought I'd have the opportunity to go to the actual location and experience it first hand," said freshman Hunter Goodrick, who grew up in Sydney, Austrailia. "It was a very cool thing to do."
 
South Dakota opened its season with three wins for the second time in four seasons. The Coyotes debut at home tonight in a 7 p.m. bout with Texas Southern, a 24-win team last season.