What the hell is a Vulcan anyway?

After a moment of puzzled contemplation, student Jerry Walsh III responded, "A Vulcan is a fierce, intimidating, persistent animal and that…. is about it," he finished with a laugh.

The reaction to the question is almost the same across the board. Furrowed eyebrows, confused expressions, and the answer "Uhh… I don't really know what a Vulcan is." It is our school mascot, a name we paint on our bodies and yell with pride. A name on our sweatpants and all that is UH Hilo – But it might as well say, "Why yes, I am a supercalafragilisticexpealidioucous" if we have no concept of what a Vulcan truly is.

What the hell is a Vulcan, anyway?

To get to the bottom of this puzzling mystery, we turned to you to find a consensus – a general idea, if you will – of just what you thought a Vulcan was. Some answers include:

a.) Spock from Star Trek

b.) Spock's home planet from Star Trek

c.) A demon of sorts

d.) Mythological creature

e.) Flames

f.) Large bird

g.) Volcano

h.) Flying fire people

i.) Hypothetical planet pro- posed to explain Mercury's abnormal orbit

j.) Type of gum

k.) A secret handshake

If you chose D, you aren't correct, but are on the right track. Vulcan is the mythical Roman god who is said to reside under Mount Etna, in Sicily. Of course, this only leaves you with more questions such as: Why the Roman god, Vulcan, and not the Hawaiian goddess, Pele? And if not Pele, why not something else significant to Hawai`i? Why aren't we the "UH Hilo Sea Turtles?" That is at least something you can visualize.

"I like that [our mascot] is unique… but it doesn't have much meaning," said student Trebor Waihee. "Seems like a bit of a cultural disconnect that our mascot comes from Roman mythology. All anyone ever thinks is Star Trek."

With respect to the Hawaiian deity, Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, the now iconic red flames of the "Vulcan," were embraced in 1966 as the University nickname to reflect Vulcan, the Roman god, also a god of fire and volcanoes. The Vulcan was chosen as the mascot instead of Pele, as there were concerns of others disrespecting the goddess if chosen. The unique volcanic terrain of the Big Island, believed to be landscaped by Pele, along with the parallel between gods Pele and Vulcan, inspired the pick of this new mascot: The Vulcans.

According to the Athletics Department, UH Hilo's previous mascot was the "Little Rainbows," a name inherited by UH Hilo's mother-campus, UH Manoa on O`ahu, who were the Rainbow Warriors. Which would you rather be: A little rainbow, or a deity of fire?

Live long and prosper, Vulcans.

Suggestions for a mascot and

name change for UH Hilo include:

Sea turtles

Hurricanes

Gladiators

Tsunamis

Fighting Nenes