HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i and Verizon Wireless are teaming up for the fifth year to prevent domestic violence in Hawaii.  Fans attending the Verizon Wireless Volleyball Challenge Thursday through Saturday (Sept. 9-11) are urged to look around their homes for used wireless phones and accessories, which will be used to help survivors of domestic violence through the Verizon Wireless HopeLine program.  HopeLine drop boxes will be located at the main entrance of the Stan Sheriff Center from 4-8 p.m. In addition, a new permanent HopeLine collection bin is available inside the arena.

The Verizon Wireless Challenge features the fourth-ranked University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine, UC-Irvine, St Mary's and San Diego State with games beginning at 5 pm each evening.

"The HopeLine program is a source of great support for victims of domestic violence and the UH Athletics Department is pleased to partner with Verizon Wireless," Jim Donovan, UH athletics director, said. "We ask our fans to support this worthy cause."

Through the award-winning HopeLine program, used wireless phones, batteries and accessories from any carrier are recycled, or refurbished and sold.  Verizon Wireless uses the proceeds to award cash grants, plus wireless phones with airtime to non-profit human services and law enforcement agencies to aid survivors of domestic violence.

"We recognize the importance of stopping domestic violence in our communities," said Mark Yamauchi, director of Hawaii sales for Verizon Wireless.  "One third of women will face this issue in their lifetime; so we ask UH Volleyball fans to dig through those closets and drawers; ask your friends and neighbors if they have phones and accessories they no longer use to help us provide a HopeLine to survivors."

Last year, Hawaii-based domestic violence programs received more than $83, 000 in Verizon Wireless HopeLine grants and wireless phones with airtime.  Hawaii residents donated more than 8,000 wireless phones to the program in 2009.