The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 women鈥檚 soccer team is heading to Maui for an exhibition match against Seattle University on Sunday, August 9. The contest is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at King Kekaulike High School in Pukalani.

Admission for the exhibition match is $5 per person. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Lahaina Memorial Project, which is dedicated to creating a memorial honoring the victims of the 2023 fire. The funds will also be directed to the Lahaina fire fund to continue helping with ongoing community recovery efforts.

Following the exhibition match, a free soccer keiki clinic will be held at 5:45 p.m. The clinic is open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14. Student-athletes from both the Rainbow Wahine and Seattle U will be on hand to work directly with the keiki. Waiver forms will need to be signed prior to anyone participating in the clinic activities.

Learn more about the event at .

The American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) announced its Team Academic Awards for the 2025–26 academic year with the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 men’s volleyball team, the Rainbow Wahine indoor team, and the Rainbow Wahine beach team each gaining recognition.

It marked a sweep for 糖心视频, which was one of just four schools whose women’s, men’s and beach teams all earned recognition from the AVCA.

The Rainbow Warriors returned to the honored list after boasting a 3.39 team GPA during the 2025–26 school year. The academic honor caps off a historic season in which the men’s team captured the 2026 NCAA National Championship in May. The Warriors previously earned AVCA academic honors in 2024, when they were the lone Big West representative on the men’s list and earned the Team Academic Honor Roll distinction.

The Rainbow Wahine Beach Volleyball team continued its sustained excellence by earning the distinction for the sixth straight season. The BeachBows posted a 3.60 team average during the 2025–26 school year, continuing their rich tradition of academic and athletic balance under new head coach Danny Alvarez.

The Rainbow Wahine indoor squad rounded out the sweep, posting a 3.45 GPA. The women’s indoor program has made the AVCA academic list six times in the last eight seasons, carrying strong classroom momentum into a new era under first-year head coach Joshua Walker.

Learn more about the honorees at .

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 athletics has announced the 41st class of the 糖心视频 Sports Circle of Honor, which includes Monika Eggens (water polo), Rich Miano (football), Barbara (Mitchell) Anderson (swimming), Costas Theocharidis (men鈥檚 volleyball) and Ben Yee (contributor).

Eggens becomes the first water polo player to be enshrined in the program鈥檚 29-year history. Miano is the 38th football player to be inducted, while Theocharidis is the sixth honoree from the men鈥檚 volleyball program. Yee, entering in the “Contributor” category, is the 11th supporter to be honored. Anderson, who swam for 糖心视频 in the 1970s, is recognized as this year鈥檚 “Legend” category honoree.

Established in 1982, the Circle of Honor recognizes individuals and teams that have contributed to the growth, history and tradition of 糖心视频 Athletics. Including this year鈥檚 honorees, the Circle of Honor now boasts 138 individual and 13 team inductees. Plaques honoring these legends are displayed on the inner walls surrounding the main concourse of Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center.

The official enshrinement of the Class of 2026 will take place during the Green & White Celebration on Friday, October 16, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center. For more information and table sales, visit .

Learn more at .

Just over a year after becoming University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 athletics director, Matt Elliott said the department鈥檚 greatest accomplishments aren鈥檛 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 糖心视频 Athletics special,” Elliott said. “Our student-athletes inspire us every day with the way they compete, represent our university and serve our community. It鈥檚 been incredibly rewarding to see so many people across Hawaiʻi rally behind them, and that鈥檚 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鈥檚 third NCAA championship in six years, men鈥檚 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 Hawaiʻi Bowl victory, and 糖心视频 teams combined for five Big West championships.

Beyond competition, 糖心视频 Mānoa Athletics recorded a historic fiscal year. Preliminary figures show the department raised a record $13.2 million—more than tripling the previous year鈥檚 total and surpassing the department鈥檚 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 Hawaiʻi business and community leaders committing $5 million over five years to strengthen name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities for 糖心视频 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 Hawaiʻi.”

Positioning 糖心视频 Athletics for long-term success

The department also expanded access for fans through several major media initiatives. Last fall, 糖心视频 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 Hawaiʻi 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鈥檚 MW+ streaming platform will carry more than 200 糖心视频 events worldwide. Revenue generated through Hawaiʻi subscriptions to MW+ will also directly benefit 糖心视频 Athletics.

Those changes coincide with another significant milestone as 糖心视频 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鈥檚 leadership, hiring new women鈥檚 basketball coach Khalilah Mitchell and Rainbow Wahine volleyball head coach Joshua Walker, while adding former women鈥檚 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鈥檚 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 糖心视频 Athletics remain his top priorities.

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women’s volleyball team will host the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 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 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 holding a 24-0 all-time series advantage.

For more information, visit the .

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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

For 29 high school and transfer counselors, the first University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Summer Counseling Institute was an unforgettable, immersive experience. Held July 12–15, the program invited 27 local counselors and two from Northern California to step into the shoes of a college student and explore the incredible opportunities awaiting future Rainbow Warriors.

Instead of a standard campus tour, participants spent three and a half days diving deeply into the heart of what 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 has to offer. They toured the world-renowned Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology at Moku O Loʻe in Kāneʻohe Bay, went behind the scenes with 糖心视频 Athletics, and experienced hands-on sample classes. Participants stepped into nursing simulation labs, explored the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center for innovation, and enjoyed a closing dinner at the Waikīkī Aquarium.

Steve Morales, a counselor at Kamehameha Schools Kapālama, was blown away by the depth of the research facilities and the university’s strong focus on community building.

“Think of it as a world-class education that you are getting,” Morales said. “It鈥檚 a gem and I think students should鈥攏o matter what high school they’re at鈥攔eally look at it. This is a great university to come to.”

Limitless possiblities

The event was intentionally designed to showcase the authentic, vibrant life on campus. Nikki Chun, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 vice provost for enrollment management, proposed the institute to highlight the university’s limitless possibilities.

“What amazes me is that there’s so much here, so much richness,” Chun said. “You can spend years here, and there are things you never get to discover.”

Ultimately, the university hopes to inspire more local talent to thrive in Hawaiʻi. Malia Kau, a college and career counselor at Radford High School, said the immersive event changed some counseling colleagues鈥� perceptions.

“I think our local students can look to 惭腻苍辞补 as a place where they can meet all of the needs that they’re looking for in higher education,” Kau said. “They don’t have to go to the mainland… 惭腻苍辞补 has a lot of things that will help them be successful here.”

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 men’s basketball team has earned the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Team Academic Excellence Award for the third consecutive year, recognizing the program’s success in the classroom.

The Rainbow Warriors posted a combined 3.20 team GPA during the 2025鈥�26 academic year, surpassing the 3.0 GPA required to receive the annual honor.

A school-record seven student-athletes also earned NABC Honors Court recognition: Dre Bullock, Tanner Cuff, Isaac Finlinson, Isaac Johnson, Isaiah Kerr, Gytis Nemeikša and Harry Rouhliadeff. Kerr led the group with a 3.90 GPA, while Nemeikša and Rouhliadeff received the honor for the second straight year.

The program also earned a perfect single-year Academic Progress Rate (APR) score of 1,000 for the fourth time under head coach Eran Ganot. 糖心视频 recorded a multi-year APR of 988, exceeding the NCAA postseason benchmark and improving by 16 points from the previous year.

For more information, visit the .

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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. 糖心视频 will officially open Walker’s tenure as head coach by taking on Georgia Southern, Baylor and San Diego.

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

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

The Rainbow Wahine鈥檚 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 Jos茅 State, at Bankoh Arena at Stan Sheriff Center
• October 10, 7 p.m.—San Jos茅 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

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel provided an update to the 糖心视频 Board of Regents (BOR) on recent leadership transitions in her report at the July 16 monthly meeting.

The updates included changes at Hawaiʻi Community College, 糖心视频 Mānoa and the VP of Academic Strategy. Hensel discussed next steps for the University Laboratory School partnership, the interim adoption of the Time, Place and Manner policy, and the modernization of student housing, and highlighted several bright spots across the 糖心视频 campuses, including the demolition of Hale Noelani to make way for modern student housing, massive research milestones at the 糖心视频 Cancer Center, and a $5-million investment in 糖心视频 Athletics.

She also recognized 糖心视频 recipients of the 2026 Governor’s Awards for Distinguished State Service, including the Employee of the Year, Manager of the Year, and Team of the Year.

• Hawaiʻi CC chancellor transition ()
• 糖心视频 Mānoa leadership and VP of Academic Strategy updates ()
• University Lab School agreement ()
• Time, Place and Manner policy update ()
• Hale Noelani demolition ()
• Hoʻōla Early Phase Clinical Research Center and NIH funding ()
• NIL funding commitments for 糖心视频 Athletics ()
• Governor’s Awards ()

The Mountain West Conference announced its 2026 preseason all-conference football team, with four University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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 Hawaiʻi’s 35-31 Sheraton Hawaiʻi 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 糖心视频‘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 Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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鈥檚 tennis at .

University of Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi,” Hensel said. “College athletics is undergoing significant change, and it is important that institutions like 糖心视频 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 糖心视频 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.”

糖心视频 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 糖心视频‘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 糖心视频 has a seat at the table during a period of unprecedented transformation in intercollegiate athletics.

“糖心视频 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 Hawaiʻi is actively engaged in conversations that will shape the future of college sports for generations to come.”

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 is Hawaiʻi 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 Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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 Hawaiʻi 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 .

University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel has been appointed to key leadership positions within the Mountain West Conference, further strengthening the university’s role as it begins full membership in the conference on July 1, 2026.

Hensel serves on the Mountain West Board of Directors, which is composed of the presidents and chancellors of member institutions and provides strategic oversight and governance for the conference. She has also been selected to serve on the Mountain West Board Executive Committee, a select leadership group that works closely with conference leadership on critical issues affecting the future of the conference and collegiate athletics.

The appointments reflect both Hensel’s commitment to intercollegiate athletics and 糖心视频‘s growing leadership role within the conference.

“Joining the Mountain West as a full member represents an exciting new chapter for 糖心视频 Mānoa and our student-athletes,” Hensel said. “I am honored to serve alongside my fellow presidents and chancellors in helping shape the future of the conference. The Mountain West has embraced Hawaiʻi as a valued partner, and I am committed to ensuring our university plays an active role in advancing opportunities for our student-athletes, supporting competitive excellence and strengthening the conference for years to come.”

Mountain West era begins

糖心视频 Mānoa officially became a full member of the Mountain West Conference on July 1, 2026, after competing as a football-only member since 2012. The move brought most of 糖心视频 Mānoa‘s men’s and women’s sports programs into a single conference affiliation and positioned the university alongside institutions across the western U.S. in one of the nation’s premier NCAA Division I conferences.

Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez welcomed 糖心视频‘s increased involvement in conference leadership.

“Wendy has quickly become an engaged and valued member of our leadership team,” Nevarez said. “Her perspective, collaborative approach and commitment to student-athlete success make her an excellent addition to the Board Executive Committee. We are excited to continue building the future of the Mountain West with Hawaiʻi as a full member.”

For 糖心视频 Mānoa, full membership in the Mountain West provides greater competitive stability, enhanced scheduling opportunities and a stronger foundation for long-term athletic success. It also ensures that 糖心视频 will have a voice in shaping conference priorities during a period of significant change across intercollegiate athletics.

“The University of Hawaiʻi is committed to providing an outstanding experience for our student-athletes while advancing the academic mission of the institution,” 糖心视频 Mānoa Athletics Director Matt Elliott said. “Having Wendy serve in these leadership roles allows us to contribute to important conversations about the future of college athletics while ensuring Hawaiʻi‘s unique perspective is represented.”

The Mountain West enters a new era in 2026–27 with a reconfigured membership that includes eight all-sport institutions: Air Force, 糖心视频, Nevada, UNLV, New Mexico, San José State, UTEP and Wyoming. The conference also includes several affiliate and sport-specific members, creating a broad and competitive platform for student-athletes across the region.

糖心视频 Mānoa is Hawaiʻi‘s only NCAA Division I athletics program and sponsors 21 varsity sports with approximately 500 student-athletes.

Eight members of the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 swimming and diving teams earned recognition on the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association of America鈥檚 (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 Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 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, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 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鈥檚 dynamic journey began at the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补.

Growing up as a sports fan in Hilo, Tsuji wanted to be a TV reporter and always dreamed of attending 糖心视频. Driven by this passion, he earned bachelor鈥檚 degrees in communications and political science in 2007, followed by a master鈥檚 degree in public administration in 2009. During his time at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, 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 糖心视频 for eight years getting all these different degrees because 糖心视频 was paying for it,” said Tsuji. “It was an opportunity for me to just really be a part of the University of Hawaiʻi 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 Waik墨k墨, 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 糖心视频 Alumni Makers鈥� 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鈥檚 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 Hawaiʻi and is giving back to the community,” Tsuji said.

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

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 is officially a full member of the Mountain West Conference, effective July 1, 2026.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 joins new full members UC Davis and UTEP creating a 10-team conference for the 2026–27 season.

From July 2012 to June 2026, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 competed in the Mountain West in football only, while participating in the Big West Conference for most of its other men’s and women’s sports. Now, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 will compete in 15 sports in the Mountain West.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 will continue to compete in the Big West as an affiliate member in beach volleyball, men鈥檚 volleyball, and women鈥檚 water polo. Co-ed and women’s sailing teams will maintain their affiliation with the Pacific Coast Collegiate Sailing Conference. These sports are not available in the Mountain West.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 is the only Division I athletics program in the state of Hawaiʻi, featuring approximately 500 student-athletes across 21 teams. The school became an NCAA member in 1946 and joined its first major intercollegiate conference in 1979. Over its history, 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 has captured seven team national championships and 11 individual national titles.

Read more at .

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 Athletics fans will have expanded access to Rainbow Warrior and Rainbow Wahine games this season, with more than 200 live events available on the new Mountain West streaming platform, MW+.

The new streaming service complements a four-year partnership with Hawaiʻi News Now, which will broadcast more than 110 糖心视频 home games annually on K5. MW+ will carry additional home contests and select conference road games in sports including basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball and softball.

Fans in Hawaiʻi can continue watching K5 broadcasts for free, while MW+ subscribers will gain access to additional 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 events. A majority of subscriptions purchased through 糖心视频‘s dedicated MW+ page will directly support 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Athletics.

National broadcasts on CBS Sports, FOX and The CW will remain on their respective networks, while select Big West sports will continue to air on K5 and stream on ESPN+.

For more information, visit the .