The University of Hawaii on Tuesday named Ikaika Aki head coach of the women’s water polo program.
Aki, who is a 2006 Punahou graduate, spent the past four years leading Loyola Marymount’s team. He was named the Golden Coast Conference Coach of the Year the past two years. Aki succeeds James Robinson to become UH’s fifth head coach.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ikaika back home to Hawaii,” UH athletic director Matt Elliott said in a news release. “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.”
The Lions won GCC titles the past two years, earning LMU’s first appearances in the National Collegiate Women’s Water Polo Championship since 2012.
“I am incredibly honored and humbled to return home to lead the University of Hawaii women’s water polo program,” Aki said. “I want to thank Matt Elliott and Jim Stein for this tremendous opportunity. As someone who grew up here, I know exactly what it means to represent this state and this community. The Rainbow Wahine have established a remarkable standard of excellence, and I look forward to working with these talented student-athletes to build upon that strong foundation and take this program to even greater heights.”
The Rainbow Wahine are the three-time defending Big West champions, and reached the NCAA quarterfinals twice in that time.
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