David Kaneshiro selected to head women's basketball post

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo
Contact:
Dr. Luoluo Hong, (808) 974-7335
Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs, Student Affairs
Dexter Irvin, (808) 974-7621
Director of Athletics, Athletics
Posted: Apr 27, 2010

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletic Director Dexter Irvin announced the selection of David Kaneshiro as the program’s first full-time women's basketball coach, effective July 1, 2010.

“While the process was long, the process led us to a great conclusion for the university and our community,” Irvin said. “We get the best of both worlds with David. We get a wonderful basketball coach with experience and a person that understands the strengths of the Pacific West Conference, the university and the State of Hawaiʻi.

“I believe Coach Kaneshiro will enable us to bring prominence to women’s basketball at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. Those are lofty expectations but he possesses the knowledge, history and ability to meet the expectations we have for women’s basketball.”

“I would like to acknowledge and thank Coach Daphne Honma for her pioneering spirit and her dedication as she helped us establish our women’s basketball program,” Irvin added. “She is a great person with wonderful skills and a sense of community and dedication to young people on the Big Island.”

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Dr. Luoluo Hong said Kaneshiro’s appointment is also a sign of the university’s commitment to ensuring gender equity for its student athletes. Hong noted that, “Research shows that participation in sports boosts women’s leadership capacities, self-esteem and self-efficacy.”

“The hiring of a full-time coach for women’s basketball is an important step in our Title IX compliance,” Hong said. “This action should send a clear signal that UH Hilo is fully committed to supporting the spirit and intent of this landmark Act.”

Kaneshiro was a UH Hilo men's assistant coach for the past four seasons during which the team compiled a 53-50 record and produced 11 all-conference players.

Before returning to UH Hilo in 2006, Kaneshiro ended a three-year head coaching run at Blackburn College (Carlinville, Ill.) where he claimed two conference championships and 2006 Co-Coach of the Year honor. He was first tabbed as a head coach by Webster University in 2000. In only his second year there, his team won a conference championship and he was recognized as the conference coach of the year.

Between head coaching positions, Kaneshiro spent a season on the California State University-Stanislaus staff as the head assistant coach. He also served as an assistant at UH Hilo (1995-98) and Webster (1998-99).

"David is uniquely qualified to take UH Hilo women’s basketball to the next level,” said Chancellor Rose Tseng. “He combines the best of both worlds with head coaching experience and deep ties to the Hilo community developed as a star player at Hilo High and an assistant under men’s coach Jeff Law.”

Kaneshiro was a stand-out point-guard at Hilo High School from 1987-1989. He continued at the collegiate level with a three-year career at NCAA Division III Beloit College (Wisc.) as the team's captain while earning all-conference honors during the 1993-94 season.

He received his bachelor of arts degree in psychology and completed his teaching certificate from Beloit College in December 1995, and his M.Ed. at Webster University in 1999. While Kaneshiro’s official appointment does not being until July 1st, he will begin work right away with the women’s basketball team to ensure a smooth transition.