On Wednesday morning, a celebration took place in Waikiki as dozens of student athletes gathered to commemorate National Letter of Intent Signing Day.
The event, which excluded football, made collegiate commitments official for the class of 2024.
Held at the Princess Ka’iulani Hotel, the Aloha Leadership Foundation event had over 50 participants taking part, including a proud contingent signing with the home team, the University of Hawaii. Among them was Kapolei’s middle blocker and defensive specialist, Malinah Purcell-Telefoni, who is set to join the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team next fall.
While some athletes pledged allegiance to their home state, many are preparing to leave the islands for collegiate careers elsewhere, including the state’s top softball prospect, Maryknoll’s Jenna Sniffen. She finalized her commitment to join the Arizona Wildcats, underscoring the day’s significance.
In total, it’s estimated that close to 100 student athletes across Hawaii signed at various levels, spanning NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, along with the NAIA.
The event in Waikiki was organized by Volunteer Administrator Kawika Kane and presented by Kyo-Ya Company, LTD.
The Aloha Leadership Foundation, a non-profit organization continues a 21-year tradition of annual signing day events in Hawaii, originally established by Doris Sullivan and her Pacific Islands Athletic Alliance (PIAA).
Here is a list of participants at the Aloha Leadership Foundation Signing Day Event:
Abcede, Jaeda – James Campbell High School University of Hawai’i – Softball
Ah Mook Sang, Laule’a – Punahou School – University of Hawaii – Soccer
Beauchemin, Nicole – Punahou – Cal Poly Humboldt – Womens Soccer
Binney, Rella – Punahou School – University of Texas, Austin Volleyball
Chavez, Kailee – Pearl City High School – University of Oregon – Women’s Soccer
Chillingworth, Kawena – Punahou – Santa Clara – Beach Volleyball
Chong, Kiersten – Aiea High School – Lawrence Technological University – Softball
Chun, Tanner – Saint Louis – Tulane University – Baseball
Clarke, Indigo – Punahou School – Stanford University – Beach volleyball
Clini, Emanuele – Punahou – UCLA Volleyball
Cormack, Carly Ann – Punahou – University of Oregon – Soccer
DePonte, Haylee – Moanalua High School Saint Martin’s University – Girl’s Volleyball
Deuchar, Ella – Punahou High School Cal Poly San Luis Obispo – Beach Volleyball
Dixon, Payton – Mid-Pacific – University Of Nevada, Reno – Baseball
Donnelly, Noa – Kailua High School – Pacific University – Basketball
Eglinton, Brooke – Mid Pac – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Volleyball
Fuamatu-Maafala, Atianna Tauiai – Mililani High School – San Jose State – Soccer
Garcia, Kamaluhia – Moanalua – University of Iowa – Volleyball
Goeas, Coen – Mid-Pacific Institute – Brigham Young University – Baseball
Hines, Faith – Kapolei High School – Utah State University – Soccer
Hirashima, Mia – Moanalua High School – University of Hawaii – Golf
Hoe, Margaret “Maggie” – Mid Pacific Institute – University of the Pacific – Tennis
Ikeda, Nicole – Punahou School – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Golf
Ilae, Anuhea Sachie – Punahou – Academy Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Soccer
Javar, Mikaela Marie – Pearl City – Simmons University Boston, Massachusetts – Soccer
Jim On, Payton Punahou School – Santa Clara University, Santa Clara – Tennis
Kahanu, Sunni – Mililani High School – University of Hawaii – Softball
Keller, Jalen – Kalaheo High School – Francis Marion University (Florence, SC) – Track and Field
Kochi, Kolbi – Mililani High School – University of Hawaii – Softball
Kuratani, Madison – Punahou – State University of New York at Albany – Golf
Langsi, Emma – Mililani High School – Lower Columbia College Longview, WA – Softball
MAIKAI, ZOE – Leilehua HS – Saint Mary’s College Moraga, CA – Soccer
Martinez, Naya – Maryknoll High School – Charleston Southern University, Charleston – Volleyball
Matsubara, Lauren – Punahou – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Soccer
Nakamoto, Alexyz – Leilehua High School – San Diego State University – Women’s Soccer
Nasrallah, Leila – Punahou School – University of California San Diego – Swimming
Nasu, Solala – University Laboratory School – South Dakota State University – Soccer
Porter, Evan – Punahou School – Stanford University – Men’s Volleyball
Purcell-Telefoni, Malinah – Kapolei High School – University of Hawaii – Volleyball
Salanoa, Xehlia – Punahou – Cal State Northridge (CSUN) – Soccer
santa monica, kayla – pearl city high school – Whitworth University – Soccer
Shigemasa, Cali-Jo – Punahou School – Portland State University – Volleyball
Simanu, Taneialee – Mililani High School – Chaminade University – Softball
Sniffen, Jenna – Maryknoll High School – University of Arizona – Softball
Stevens, Charlee-Rose – Waianae High School – University Of Utah – Softball
Takemoto, Dream – Punahou School – Willamette University – Volleyball
Taylor, Nina – Mililani High School – FEATHER RIVER COLLEGE – SOFTBALL
Tuiloma, Kayara – Kapolei high school – University of Hawaii – Softball
Uiagalelei, Maumausolo – Mililani High School – Cal Poly Humbolt – Soccer
Uluave, Lulu – Punahou School – Brigham Young University – Volleyball
Watson, Andriah – Mililani High School – University of Providence – Women’s Soccer
Williams, Day-lee Mua – Kamehameha Schools -University of Georgia – Softball
Wong, Elise – Punahou School – Dartmouth – Tennis
Yamaguchi, Sean – Saint Louis – University of Nevada Reno – Baseball
Yonehara, Skye – Lehigh University – Tennis
Yoshimura, Ally – Punahou – Utah State University – Soccer
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