The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo men’s and women’s soccer programs earned 2025–26 United Soccer Coaches College Team Academic Awards for their achievements in the classroom.

Both Vulcan teams posted cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 or higher to qualify for the national recognition.

UH Hilo was among 777 college soccer teams nationwide to receive the honor, including 326 men’s and 451 women’s programs. The university was also one of just 175 schools nationwide to have both its men’s and women’s soccer teams recognized.

For more information, visit the .

The , in partnership with the , is launching the ’Bows Athletics Club, a new fundraising and membership program designed to strengthen support for UH student-athletes while giving fans more flexibility in how they invest in the future of �鶹��ý Athletics.

Beginning July 1, 2027, the ’Bows Athletics Club will replace the H-Club Athletic Fund and serve as the primary annual giving program for UH Athletics. While the new program officially launches in 2027–28, contributions and pledges made between July 1, 2026 and June 30, 2027 will count toward ’Bows Athletics Club membership status and benefits, allowing supporters to begin earning membership status and benefits now.

Supporters can begin participating and earning membership status today

The new model allows supporters to direct their gifts to the teams, programs and student-athlete initiatives they care about most while earning benefits and recognition through a single, streamlined system.

The launch comes at a pivotal time for college athletics. As programs across the country navigate rapid changes in recruiting, student-athlete support and competition, private philanthropy is playing an increasingly important role in helping universities provide opportunities and resources for student-athletes to succeed.

At UH, support through the ’Bows Athletics Club will help fund resources that directly impact nearly 500 Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine student-athletes, including academic support services, nutrition programs, equipment, travel, training resources and other initiatives that contribute to success in competition, the classroom and the community.

For generations, Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine teams have united �鶹��ý. The ’Bows Athletics Club creates a new opportunity for fans, alumni and supporters statewide to invest in the success of UH student-athletes and help ensure a strong future for �鶹��ý Athletics.

“The ’Bows Athletics Club is about making it easier for people to support UH Athletics in the ways that matter most to them,” UH Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “Whether you’ve been a supporter for years or you’re making your very first gift, every contribution helps create opportunities for our student-athletes. We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported UH Athletics over the years, and we hope even more people will join us as we continue building Our Team, �鶹��ý‘s Team.”

The program aligns UH Athletics with best practice fundraising models used by Division I athletics programs across the country while providing greater flexibility and transparency for donors.

’Bows Athletics Club membership benefits

Membership levels begin at $100 and are based on total annual giving. Supporters who contribute at least $100 to an individual sport also become members of that team’s booster club.

Depending on their giving level, members may receive benefits such as priority access to postseason tickets, invitations to exclusive events (including unique merchandise opportunities), hospitality experiences, eligibility to purchase reserved parking and other gameday opportunities. UH Athletics will be introducing additional member benefits over time, including exclusive merchandise opportunities available only to club members.

Annual Giving Membership levels include:

Booster $100

All-Conference: $500

All-American: $2,000

Champion: $5,000+

Donors who contribute $10,000 or more annually will receive additional recognition and status, with details to be announced in the days to come.

Loyalty points system rewards long-term support

A new loyalty points system that will complement the ’Bows Athletics Club recognizes both longtime supporters and new members. Points are earned through charitable giving, season ticket purchases and years of loyalty to UH Athletics.

The system will help determine priority access to postseason tickets, future ticket and seat relocation opportunities, and future seat selection opportunities at the new Aloha Stadium. While ’Bows Athletics Club annual membership levels are based on giving during the previous academic year, loyalty points recognize long-term support by incorporating eligible contributions and season ticket history dating back to 2001.

Early participation benefits

2026–27 H-Club members will automatically receive All-Conference status during the ’Bows Athletics Club inaugural 2027–28 academic year, ensuring a smooth transition as supporters become familiar with the new program.

Fans, alumni and supporters are encouraged to become part of the ’Bows Athletics Club and help support the next generation of Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine student-athletes.

Additional information about membership levels, benefits and giving opportunities is available through .

For more, .

This announcement comes as UH Athletics is celebrating a historic 2025–26 season heading into the 2026–27 season. Milestones from last year include:

• Men’s volleyball captured its third national championship in six years, cementing the Rainbow Warriors’ place among the nation’s elite programs.
• Men’s basketball won its first Big West Championship in a decade and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 years.
• Football capped a 9-4 season with a �鶹��ý Bowl championship, giving the Rainbow Warriors their third consecutive bowl victory.
• UH teams combined for five Big West championships, including titles in men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s basketball and women’s water polo.
• Kansei Matsuzawa became the first consensus All-American in the 109-year history of UH football, adding another milestone to a season filled with historic accomplishments.
• UH Athletics enters a new era with continuity and new leadership, with contract extensions for football coach Timmy Chang, baseball coach Rich Hill and men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot, as well as the addition of Laura Beeman to the senior leadership team as associate athletics director for student-athlete success.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa women’s soccer team will open the 2026 season at the new on-campus field.

Phase I of the on-campus field was recently completed. Temporary bleachers and other necessary infrastructure to accommodate teams and spectators will be installed.

The team will move from Waipiʻo Peninsula Soccer Stadium and play its first seven matches on the Mānoa campus. A potential return to Waipiʻo Stadium will be considered when Mountain West competition begins in October.

UH’s season opener is August 13 vs. Texas Tech at 4 p.m. as part of the three-team, two–day OUTRIGGER Soccer Kickoff tournament.

Admission to matches at the on-campus field is free. Applicable parking fees apply.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa quarterback Micah Alejado has been named to the watch list for the 90th Maxwell Award, presented annually to the most outstanding player in college football.

The sophomore quarterback, who was also named the Preseason Mountain West Player of the Year, is among a group of 81 players nationwide selected to the 2026 preseason watch list.

Semifinalists for the 90th Maxwell Award will be announced on November 10, with the three finalists unveiled on November 24. The winner will be announced live as part of the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10, 2026.

Alejado is the fifth UH quarterback all-time to earn a spot on the Maxwell Award watch list, joining Brayden Schager (2024), Cole McDonald (2019), Bryant Moniz (2011) and Colt Brennan (2007).

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo ranked No. 23 for team GPA across all NCAA Division II women’s golf programs for the 2025–26 school year, with a 3.681 GPA.

The achievement for the 2025–26 school year was announced by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association.

The 2025–26 Pacific West Conference Champions were the only PacWest Conference team to land inside this year’s top 25, and also placed No. 23 in last year’s rankings.

2025–26 UH Hilo women’s golf honorees

• Kieran Florino
• Kiara Kimata
• Trinity Ledgerwood
• Kailee McKee
• Elle Otani
• Kiersten Saludares
• Jaylen Wan
• Erica Yokomoto

Read more at .

Just over a year after becoming University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa’s athletics director, Matt Elliott said the department’s greatest accomplishments aren’t measured only by championships or fundraising records. They are measured by the opportunities created for nearly 500 student-athletes.

Since officially taking the helm on June 30, 2025, Elliott has overseen one of the most successful years in history, while laying the foundation for what he believes is an even stronger future.

“This first year has really reinforced what makes UH Athletics special,” Elliott said. “Our student-athletes inspire us every day with the way they compete, represent our university and serve our community. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see so many people across �鶹��ý rally behind them, and that’s something we want to continue building.”

A record-setting year

The 2025–26 season featured milestones on and off the field. Rainbow Warrior volleyball captured the program’s third NCAA championship in six years, men’s basketball won its first Big West Tournament title in a decade to earn an NCAA Tournament berth, football capped a 9-4 season with a Sheraton �鶹��ý Bowl victory, and UH teams combined for five Big West championships.

Beyond competition, UH Mānoa Athletics recorded a historic fiscal year. Preliminary figures show the department raised a record $13.2 million—more than tripling the previous year’s total and surpassing the department’s previous fundraising record. Community support also reached new heights with more than 7,300 gifts during the fiscal year, while licensing revenue approached $930,000, another department record.

Momentum continued this summer with five �鶹��ý business and community leaders committing $5 million over five years to strengthen name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for UH student-athletes, helping the department recruit and retain talent in an increasingly competitive college athletics landscape.

“Our responsibility is to create an environment where student-athletes can thrive academically, athletically and personally,” Elliott said. “That means investing in the people, resources and opportunities that help them succeed while making sure they have an unforgettable experience representing the University of �鶹��ý.”

Positioning UH Athletics for long-term success

The department also expanded access for fans through several major media initiatives. Last fall, UH eliminated pay-per-view for Rainbow Warrior football broadcasts, making games more accessible statewide, while adding broadcasts in Japan. Beginning this season, a new four-year media rights partnership with �鶹��ý News Now will bring more than 110 home events annually to K5, moving local broadcasts from a subscription-based cable model to free, statewide television distribution. In addition, the new Mountain West’s MW+ streaming platform will carry more than 200 UH events worldwide. Revenue generated through �鶹��ý subscriptions to MW+ will also directly benefit UH Athletics.

Those changes coincide with another significant milestone as UH officially joined the Mountain West as a full member on July 1, positioning most Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine programs in a new conference beginning this season.

Elliott has also reshaped the department’s leadership, hiring new women’s basketball coach Khalilah Mitchell and Rainbow Wahine volleyball head coach Joshua Walker, while adding former women’s basketball coach Laura Beeman to the senior leadership team as associate athletics director for student-athlete success. Contract extensions for football coach Timmy Chang, baseball coach Rich Hill and men’s basketball coach Eran Ganot have also helped provide continuity heading into the new conference era.

Looking ahead, Elliott said enhancing the student-athlete experience, strengthening community partnerships and continuing to grow support for UH Athletics remain his top priorities.

“We’ve made real progress over the past year, but we’re just getting started to navigate a new era of college athletics,” Elliott said. “As we begin this chapter in the Mountain West, we’re focused on creating even more opportunities for our student-athletes and our fans. ‘Our Team, �鶹��ý’s Team’ is more than a slogan. It’s a commitment to bringing our community together and building a program the entire state can be proud of.”

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo women’s volleyball team will host the UH Mānoa Rainbow Wahine in a preseason exhibition match on August 15, 2 p.m. at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.

The match marks the Rainbow Wahine’s first trip to Hilo since the 1980s and continues a growing connection between the two UH volleyball programs. Last year, the Rainbow Warriors men’s volleyball team traveled to Hilo for an intrasquad scrimmage.

“The last time we played them was in the ’80s, and I think it’s a great connection for us to play a Division I team,” said UH Hilo head coach Reed Sunahara.

Sunahara hopes the exhibition will energize the local volleyball community and continue building support for the Vulcans program.

The Vulcans are coming off a 20-9 season in 2025, finishing tied for third in the Pacific West Conference and qualifying for the PacWest Championships. The Rainbow Wahine enter their first season under head coach Joshua Walker.

The two teams last met in an official match in 1990, with UH Mānoa holding a 24-0 all-time series advantage.

For more information, visit the .

The University of �鶹��ý at Hilo team earned the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Award for the 2025–26 season. Individually, the team placed six student-athletes on the NABC Honors Court.

This year’s NABC honors court honorees are Charles Higby Jr., Fabio Da Rocha, Isaiah Hinds, Jamal Entezami, Julio Montes II and Telryn Villa.

NABC Team Academic Excellence Award recognizes programs with a team GPA of 3.0 or higher.

The NABC Honors Court includes junior, senior and graduate student men’s basketball players who finished the year with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa women’s golfer Chloe Ku was selected to the All-American Scholar Team announced by the Women’s Golf Coaches Association (WGCA).

Ku completed her freshman season in 2025–26 and ranked fourth on the team with a 77.25 scoring average, competing in eight tournaments.

Ku is the first Rainbow Wahine to receive WGCA All-American Scholar honors since three were honored in 2022–23.

The criteria for selection to the All-American Scholar Team are some of the most stringent in all of college athletics with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 and having played in 50 percent of the team’s competitive rounds.

Learn more at

Three University of �鶹��ý at Hilo golfers were named to the 2025–26 Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team.

The awardees were: Trinity Ledgerwood, Kailee McKee, Elle Otani, Kiersten Saludares and Jaylen Wan.

To qualify, student-athletes must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, have amateur status, remain on the team’s roster through the conclusion of the season and participate in 50% of the college’s regularly scheduled competitive rounds during the year through the team’s conference championship.

A total of 1,551 women’s collegiate golfers were nationally recognized with this honor.

Read more at .

University of �鶹��ý at Hilo student-athletes achieved a record-high 3.37 combined grade point average (GPA) during the 2025–26 academic year, surpassing last year’s department record of 3.32 across the university’s 12 varsity sports.

“I’m incredibly proud of our student-athletes for setting a new standard of academic excellence this past year,” UH Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen said. “They prove every single day that championship performance happens both in competition and in the classroom.”

Women’s golf and women’s soccer were named the department’s Ramon Goya Academic Teams of the Year for posting the highest team GPAs in individual and team sports, respectively.

The Vulcans also ranked among the Pacific West Conference’s academic leaders, with women’s cross country (3.64), softball (3.50) and men’s golf (3.46) each finishing in the top three in their respective sports.

UH Hilo placed 172 student-athletes on the Academic All-PacWest Team, recognizing those who earned a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

For more information, visit the .

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa announced its 2026 regular-season schedule, marking the start of a new era under first-year head coach Joshua Walker.

The 29-match regular-season schedule features three early season tournaments and a 11-match non-conference slate before beginning the inaugural season in the Mountain West Conference.

The Rainbow Wahine will open the season with the Hawaiian Airlines Wahine Volleyball Classic, set for August 28 to 30 at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. UH will officially open Walker’s tenure as head coach by taking on Georgia Southern, Baylor and San Diego.

The ‘Bows will then host the OUTRIGGER Invitational September 3 to 6 against Utah Tech, Loyola Marymount and UC San Diego.

UH caps its season-opening homestand with a two-match series against Central Arkansas on Sept. 10 and 11. The ‘Bows first road trip will take them to Las Vegas for matches against Texas A&M—Corpus Christi, Iowa State and UCLA.

The Rainbow Wahine’s first Mountain West campaign opens a home series with New Mexico on Sept. 25 and 26.

The final regular-season homestand features a two-match series against Nevada on November 5 and 7, followed by Air Force on November 12 and 13.

Senior Night is scheduled for November 13.

Season ticket sales are now live and may be purchased at or at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center box office.

For more details, visit .

2026 Schedule

Preseason

• August 28, 7 p.m.—Georgia Southern, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• August 29, 7 p.m.—Baylor, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• August 30, 5 p.m.—San Diego, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 3, 7 p.m.—Utah Tech, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 4, 7 p.m.—Loyola Marymount, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 6, 5 p.m.—UC San Diego, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 10, 7 p.m.—Central Arkansas, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 11, 7 p.m.—Central Arkansas, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 18, 3:30 p.m.—Texas A&M—Corpus Christi, at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
• September 19, 1:30 p.m.—Iowa State, at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada
• September 20, 11:30 a.m.—UCLA, at Orleans Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada

Mountain West season

• September 25, 7 p.m.—New Mexico, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• September 26, 7 p.m.—New Mexico, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• October 2, 3 p.m.—Grand Canyon, at Phoenix, Arizona
• October 3, 3 p.m.—Grand Canyon, at Phoenix, Arizona
• October 9, 7 p.m.—San José State, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• October 10, 7 p.m.—San José State, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• October 16, 2:30 p.m.—Wyoming, at Laramie, Wyoming
• October 17, 2:30 p.m.—Wyoming, at Laramie, Wyoming
• October 23, 7 p.m.—UNLV, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• October 24, 7 p.m.—UNLV, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• October 30, 3 p.m.—UC Davis, at Davis, California
• October 31, 3 p.m.—UC Davis, at Davis, California
• November 5, 7 p.m.—Nevada, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• November 7, 7 p.m.—Nevada, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• November 12, 7 p.m.—Air Force, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• November 13, 7 p.m.—Air Force, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• November 18, 3 p.m.—UTEP, at El Paso, Texas
• November 19, 3 p.m.—UTEP, at El Paso, Texas
• November 24–25, TBA—Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Championship, at Las Vegas, Nevada

The Mountain West Conference announced its 2026 preseason all-conference football team, with four University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa student-athletes earning recognition.

Quarterback Micah Alejado, wide receiver Pofele Ashlock, defensive back Elijah Palmer and linebacker Jamih Otis were all named to the preseason All-Mountain West team. Additionally, Alejado took home the league’s top individual honor as the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.

Alejado, the 2025 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, completed 66.3% of his passes for 3,106 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding 105 rushing yards and one touchdown in his first season as a starter. He closed the year by throwing for 274 yards and three touchdowns in �鶹��ý’s 35-31 Sheraton �鶹��ý Bowl win.

Ashlock remained one of the Mountain West’s top receivers in 2025, recording 76 catches for 827 yards and eight touchdowns. Over three seasons, he has totaled 220 receptions for 2,288 yards and 23 touchdowns as the leader of UH‘s Run-and-Shoot offense.

Palmer has earned All-Mountain West honorable mention in each of the past two seasons. He recorded 10 pass breakups as a junior and has 121 career tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, and five interceptions.

Otis finished second on the team with 60 tackles and two forced fumbles in 2025. A two-time Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week, he started 11 straight games last season before missing the final two contests, ending a streak of 36 consecutive appearances to begin his career.

The Warriors open the 2026 season on August 29 at Stanford and play their home opener at Clarence T.C. Ching Complex on September 5 vs. UNLV.

The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa women’s tennis team was named an Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-Academic Team for the 11th consecutive season. In addition, four Rainbow Wahine earned ITA Scholar-Athlete honors: Allaire Berl, Emma Forgac, Makeilah Nepomuceno and Sophie Rachor.

The men’s tennis team also earned ITA All-Academic honors. Five Rainbow Warriors earned ITA All-Academic awards: Adriano Dzhenev, Timothy Li, Toa Maeda, Kent Mueller and Hikaru Takahashi.

To be named an ITA Scholar-Athlete one must have a grade point average of at least 3.5 (on a 4.00 scale) for the current academic year, and be listed on the institutional eligibility form.

To be named an ITA All-Academic Team, programs must meet the following requirements: have a team grade point average of 3.2 or above, all student-athletes included should be listed on the institutional eligibility form, and all varsity letter winners should be factored into the cumulative team GPA for the current academic year.

Read more about women’s tennis at , and men’s tennis at .

University of �鶹��ý President Wendy Hensel has been selected to represent the Mountain West Conference on the College Football Playoff (CFP) Board of Managers, one of the most influential leadership bodies in collegiate athletics.

The appointment places Hensel among a select group of university presidents and chancellors from across the nation who oversee the governance and long-term direction of the College Football Playoff. The CFP Board of Managers is composed of chief executive officers representing the 10 Football Bowl Subdivision conferences and the University of Notre Dame.

As the Mountain West’s representative, Hensel will help guide major decisions related to the College Football Playoff, including governance, strategic direction and other significant matters affecting the future of college football.

“This is an exciting opportunity, both personally and for the University of �鶹��ý,” Hensel said. “College athletics is undergoing significant change, and it is important that institutions like UH and conferences like the Mountain West have a strong voice in shaping that future. I look forward to working alongside my colleagues from across the country to ensure that student-athletes remain at the center of decision-making while helping strengthen the long-term success and sustainability of college football.”

The CFP Board of Managers serves as the governing body for the CFP and has exclusive authority over major organizational matters, including the appointment of officers, approval of budgets and oversight of the playoff’s strategic direction.

“The CFP is fortunate to add a leader of President Wendy Hensel’s caliber to our Board of Managers,” said Rich Clark, Executive Director of the CFP. “Her extensive experience leading major institutions and her unwavering commitment to higher education and student-athlete success will strengthen the Board as it continues to guide the future of college football. We are excited to welcome her and look forward to the thoughtful leadership and perspective she will bring to our organization.”

Expanded leadership presence

The appointment comes as UH continues to expand its leadership presence within the Mountain West Conference. Hensel recently joined the Mountain West Board of Directors, which is composed of the presidents and chancellors of member institutions, and was selected to serve on the Mountain West Board Executive Committee, a smaller leadership group that works closely with conference leadership on strategic priorities and governance issues.

Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said Hensel’s appointment reflects both her leadership abilities and the growing role of the conference in the national athletics landscape.

“President Hensel has quickly established herself as a thoughtful and engaged leader within the Mountain West,” Nevarez said. “Her experience, vision and commitment to student-athlete success make her an outstanding representative for our conference on the College Football Playoff Board of Managers. We are proud to have her helping shape the future of college athletics on behalf of the Mountain West.”

UH officially became a full member of the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 2026, after competing as a football-only member since 2012. Full membership consolidated most of UH‘s athletics programs within a single conference and strengthened the university’s long-term position in Division I athletics.

For Hensel, the appointment reflects a broader commitment to ensuring UH has a seat at the table during a period of unprecedented transformation in intercollegiate athletics.

“UH Athletics plays an important role in bringing our communities together, creating opportunities for student-athletes and elevating the visibility of our university,” Hensel said. “I am committed to supporting our athletics programs and ensuring �鶹��ý is actively engaged in conversations that will shape the future of college sports for generations to come.”

UH Mānoa is �鶹��ý only NCAA Division I athletics program and sponsors 21 varsity sports with approximately 500 student-athletes. The university’s football program has competed in the Mountain West Conference since 2012 and is entering a new era as part of the conference’s full membership beginning with the 2026–27 academic year.

The College Football Playoff Board of Managers serves as the governing body for the CFP and has exclusive authority over major organizational matters, including the appointment of officers, approval of budgets and oversight of the playoff’s strategic direction.

University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa utility player Ben Zeigler-Namoa has been selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 10th round of the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft, taken with the 292nd overall pick.

Zeigler-Namoa becomes the 113th Rainbow Warrior all-time to be drafted by a Major League organization. He is also the seventh �鶹��ý player to be picked during the tenure of Head Coach Rich Hill, continuing the program’s strong pipeline to the professional ranks.

A versatile left-handed hitter who played outfield and first base, Zeigler-Namoa was a model of consistency and durability. He was the only Rainbow Warrior to start all 50 games in 2026, earning Honorable Mention All-Big West awards. He finished the year with a .294 batting average and a .433 slugging percentage, racking up 57 hits, 33 runs scored, 10 doubles, a triple, and five home runs.

Read more at .

A total of 172 University of �鶹��ý at Hilo student-athletes have been named to the 2025–26 Pacific West Conference Academic All-PacWest Team, recognizing their success in the classroom while competing in collegiate athletics.

Eight Vulcans finished the academic year with a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade point average. Juniors Brandon Wada (baseball) and Lauren Otsubo (softball) were joined by first-year student-athletes Harley Acosta (softball), Johan Bjorken (men’s golf), Jeydon Moises (baseball), Everett Roach (women’s basketball), Johanna Roggenkamp (women’s tennis) and Ella Smith (women’s soccer).

To qualify for Academic All-PacWest honors, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0, complete at least two semesters at their institution and be eligible to compete during the regular season, including redshirt student-athletes.

The conference honored 2,700 student-athletes across its 13 member institutions, setting a new conference record with an average of 208 honorees per school.

For the complete list of UH Hilo’s 2025–26 Academic All-PacWest honorees, visit the.

Eight members of the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa swimming and diving teams earned recognition on the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America’s (CSCAA) Scholar-America Team for the 2025–26 season.

Two Rainbow Wahine earned First Team honors, and five earned Second Team honors. One Rainbow Warrior earned Second Team honors.

Rainbow Wahine honorees:

• Lovisa Gustavsson (First Team)
• Holly Nelson (First Team)
• Keira Chandler (Second Team)
• Avery Coates (Second Team)
• Macie Wheeler (Second Team)
• Carlotta Ingernerf (Second Team)
• Ruby Pickron (Second Team)

Rainbow Warrior honoree:

• Oliver Wignall (Second Team)

To qualify for First-Team Scholar All-America, student-athletes must earn a GPA of 3.5 or higher and participate in their national championship. Second-team selections also must have a 3.5 GPA and meet specific time standards for the national championship, or qualify for the zone qualification meet.

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The University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa women’s swimming and diving team was recognized as a Spring 2026 Scholar All-America Team by the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America.

The Rainbow Wahine were one of 171 NCAA Division I teams to be recognized for its outstanding academic achievement during the spring semester. As a team, UH Mānoa recorded a 3.66 GPA for spring 2026. The ‘Bows were one of 92 women’s DI teams to post a team GPA over 3.60. Teams were required to achieve a team GPA of 3.00 or higher to earn Scholar All-America recognition.

Collectively, 16,680 student-athletes from 714 teams representing 418 institutions were recognized for their outstanding academic achievement.

Read more at .

Whether you recognize his voice from Spectrum Sports broadcasts, his face from local television newscasts, or his name from the award-winning production company RKT Media, Ryan Kalei Tsuji seems to be everywhere. But before he was an Emmy-winning CEO, a protocol officer for the governor, or the owner of a booming cocktail bar, Tsuji’s dynamic journey began at the University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa.

Growing up as a sports fan in Hilo, Tsuji wanted to be a TV reporter and always dreamed of attending UH. Driven by this passion, he earned bachelor’s degrees in communications and political science in 2007, followed by a master’s degree in public administration in 2009. During his time at UH Mānoa, he also worked his way up from a manager to an assistant coach for the nationally ranked Rainbow Wahine volleyball team under legendary coach Dave Shoji.

“I was like Van Wilder, I was at UH for eight years getting all these different degrees because UH was paying for it,” said Tsuji. “It was an opportunity for me to just really be a part of the University of �鶹��ý system and I just loved my experience and time there.”

Tsuji parlayed his education into a multi-faceted career. He launched the video production company RKT Media in 2016, co-hosts the interactive program Spotlight Now, and has been recognized with multiple honors, including being named to Pacific Business News’ 40 Under 40. In 2022, he opened The Lei Stand, a bar and lounge, in Chinatown. Now located in Waikīkī, The Lei Stand will be expanding to the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport.

Celebrating alumni entrepreneurship

The Lei Stand is one of nearly 40 vendors confirmed for the 5th Annual UH Alumni Makers’ Market on Wednesday, July 29, at The Royal Hawaiian Hotel. The event is dedicated to showcasing food, drinks and products from alumni-led businesses. .

“It’s a great way to reconnect with former alumni, but also an opportunity to just really be proud of where we came from and all the talent that stayed here in �鶹��ý and is giving back to the community,” Tsuji said.

Presented by the UH Office of Alumni Relations in partnership with the UH Alumni Association, a portion of the proceeds will go toward addressing current UH student needs statewide. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, email .