Honolulu native Ikaika Aki has been named the fifth head coach of the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ at ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ women¡¯s water polo program, UH Athletics Director Matt Elliott announced.
Aki returns home after four years as head coach at Loyola Marymount University (LMU), where he earned Golden Coast Conference Coach of the Year honors in each of the last two seasons. He led LMU to back-to-back conference championships and consecutive appearances in the National Collegiate Women¡¯s Water Polo Championship in 2025 and 2026.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ikaika back home to Â鶹´«Ã½,” Elliott said. “His proven track record of building a championship-caliber program at LMU, combined with his deep roots in our local community, makes him the perfect leader for the Rainbow Wahine as we look to build upon our legacy of success.”
Over his final three seasons at LMU, Aki led the Lions to a 70-20 overall record and a perfect 20-0 mark in conference regular-season play. Twelve LMU players also earned national recognition during his tenure.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to return home to lead the University of Â鶹´«Ã½ women¡¯s water polo program,¡±”Aki said. “As someone who grew up here, I know exactly what it means to represent this state and this community.”
Aki takes over a Rainbow Wahine program entering the 2027 season as three-time defending Big West champions. Â鶹´«Ã½ is 61-15 over the past three seasons and has won 29 consecutive Big West matches.
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