{"id":221955,"date":"2025-09-15T13:31:32","date_gmt":"2025-09-15T23:31:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=221955"},"modified":"2025-09-15T15:50:58","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T01:50:58","slug":"fourth-annual-vulcan-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/09\/15\/fourth-annual-vulcan-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Support UH<\/abbr> Hilo athletes in monthlong Vulcan Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>

\"Â鶹´«Ã½Hilo<\/p>\n

In partnership with UH<\/abbr> Foundation<\/a>, the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> at Hilo Athletics is calling on the community to join its largest annual fundraiser—the monthlong Vulcan Challenge<\/a>—to ensure continued excellence for Vulcan student-athletes in the classroom, in competition and in service to Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island.<\/p>\n

Running from September 16–October 16, the Vulcan Challenge provides critical funding for scholarships, training resources, travel and other essential needs that help UH<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s 12 NCAA<\/abbr> Division II<\/abbr> teams thrive.<\/p>\n

“Vulcan scholar-athletes continue to make a positive impact both on campus and in our community. Support for these student ambassadors will allow our program to continue to flourish,” said Bonnie D. Irwin, UH<\/abbr> Hilo\u2019s chancellor.<\/p>\n

Patrick Guillen, athletics director at UH<\/abbr> Hilo, said the student-athletes continue to inspire everyone with their accomplishments and community support remains vital in helping them reach new goals. “Every gift to the Vulcan Challenge helps us develop the next generation of Ambassadors of Aloha, students who represent Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island and our state with pride.”<\/p>\n

\"Â鶹´«Ã½Hilo
Â鶹´«Ã½Hilo women’s volleyball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Imani Lee, President of the UH<\/abbr> Hilo Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, emphasized how donor support makes a direct impact.<\/p>\n

“When you give to the Vulcan Challenge, you\u2019re helping us compete at our best, travel to represent Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> and earn the education that sets us up for life,“ said Lee, an outside hitter and defensive specialist with the Vulcans volleyball team. “Your support means we can continue to represent Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island with pride and aloha on every field, court and course.“<\/p>\n

KTA<\/abbr> Super Stores and the Taniguchi ʻohana<\/span> are once again demonstrating their loyal support of the Vulcan Challenge by matching the first $25,000 in gifts. Their generosity is joined by a $5,000 challenge gift from Charlie and Barbara Umamoto, along with a $13,000 matching gift from the Vulcan Booster Club.<\/p>\n

“As student-athletes, we feel the impact of this generosity every day,“ Lee said. “Knowing that the community believes in us—and is willing to match gifts to support our journey—motivates us to give our very best on and off the field.“<\/p>\n

UH<\/abbr> Hilo Athletics is coming off a record-breaking year. Vulcan student-athletes achieved a 3.32 overall cumulative GPA<\/abbr>—the highest in program history—and extended their streak to 14 consecutive semesters with a GPA<\/abbr> of 3.0 or higher.<\/p>\n

\"Â鶹´«Ã½Hilo
Â鶹´«Ã½Hilo baseball<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

On the fields and courts, eight teams advanced to PacWest Conference postseason play, highlighted by the men\u2019s golf team\u2019s third straight conference championship. Off the playing surfaces, student-athletes contributed countless hours to local causes, events and youth programs, strengthening ties with the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Island community.<\/p>\n

“These achievements reflect the heart, discipline and dedication of our student-athletes,” Guillen said. “By supporting the Vulcan Challenge, you\u2019re investing in their future and in the pride they bring to our island.”<\/p>\n

To make a contribution to the Vulcan Challenge and support UH<\/abbr> Hilo Athletics, visit Vulcan Challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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