Ask a Vulcan---Questions and Answers with shortstop Kiarra "Kiki" Lincoln
We miss seeing our Vulcans on the courts and playing fields, but here is another way to get to know them a little better. Today, we talk with slick fielding shortstop Kiarra Lincoln, who prefers the name Kiki and hopes to be an architect some day.

What is a phrase or a piece of advice that you try to live your life by?  
A phrase I always try to live by is that "there is no excuse for hard work."
 
What attracted you to UH Hilo?  
What attracted me to UH Hilo was the fact that I get to play in front of my family. They have always been my support system and being at Hilo allows them to continue to watch me play competitively at the collegiate level. I can also play in front of my hometown and community where I have grown up all my life.
 
Tell us a little bit about Hilo from your perspective, having grown up here. What did you like to do when you were young? 
I spent most of my days at the park watching my dad play softball and baseball. Most of the time I was in the grass fooling around with a bat and a ball and just playing around.
 
Who is one person you look up to and why?  
Someone I look up to is my dad, Derek Lincoln. He has been there for me since the day I said I wanted to play softball and has worked with me day and night since. He has pushed me to be my best self and taught me much more than just the game. He is selfless and never stops helping others. Hands down the best coach out there. I hope one day I can be half the person he is.
 
When did you first start developing a passion for your sport? What did you like about it?
I started playing softball at the age of 11 and instantly fell in love. For me, I enjoyed the fact that I could make up for my size in other ways because softball has many aspects and is about being well-rounded. I like how fast-paced everything in this game is, how fast this game can humble you, and the pressure it brings in each situation.
 
What is one unique thing you've been doing to pass the time during COVID?  
One unique thing I have been doing to pass the time since COVID-19 has been playing Portuguese horseshoes with my close friends and family. My dad even built his own boxes where we can play in the house with quarters.  We have little tournaments and still find a way to be competitive in this time of COVID-19. 
 
Until your team can practice together, what kind of workouts have you been doing to stay in shape?
Until my team can practice together I have been working out with my sister, Dioni Lincoln, at home. I have a home gym in my garage, a yard to field and run in, and a batting cage to hit in. I have also been going to the park once or twice a week to get a workout in on the field.
 
What is your favorite thing to do on the Big Island? 
I don't really have a favorite thing to do on the Big Island. I really just like chilling anywhere with good company, whether it be the beach, the park, or just at someone's house, it is always nice spending the day with people who bring out a good side of you.
 
What is your dream job? 
My dream job is to become an architect. I love the fact that an idea can come to life through design and be built into a real-life structure.
 
What is one thing that most don't know about you?
I think one thing that most don't know about me is that I have 5 sisters and that I am the 2^nd youngest.
 
What are you grateful for?
I am grateful for my support system.  Being lucky enough to have family and friends who always have my back, who never fail to make me feel loved, and who I can turn to in times of need and lift me higher in times of success.  I am grateful for having people who make my life enjoyable.
 
What hobbies outside of your sport do you have? What are some of your favorite things to do?
Some things I like to do outside of softball is go to the beach, eat good food, and chill with good company.  My favorite thing is when my family and friends can get together, enjoy the stories, good food, and company and just have a good time.  It always eases my mind and puts me in a good mood being able to just do nothing with people who mean the most to me.
 
What is your favorite movie and why?  
My favorite movie is Southpaw.  It is a movie about a fighter who goes through some hardships, loses his self for a bit and reaches rock bottom, and slowly finds himself again and gets back into his sport better and stronger than he was before.  This is my favorite movie because I always love watching fights and on top of that I like how the fighter goes through his hard times, perseveres through them, and comes back out on top.  It just shows how no matter what you go through you can always find your way back when you put yourself into the right mindset.
 
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
If I could travel anywhere in the world I would go to Japan.  I would go to Japan because I love seafood and sushi.  I also love cherry blossoms and have always wanted to see cherry blossom trees in bloom.  Another reason I would want to go to Japan is just to see the beautiful scenery and the different type of architecture they have. 
 
What is your favorite type of music, and why?
I enjoy listening to rap music because I enjoy listening to the beat in every song. Songs with a good beat really just get me vibing and nodding my head to the beat.  When it comes to game days, rap music always hypes me up for game time and puts me in the zone. 
 
What is your favorite part about being a student-athlete?
My favorite part about being a student athlete is being able to meet, compete with, and play against people from around the world who share the same passion for a sport as me. Being able to travel and play ball competitively is something I enjoy and will always cherish.
 
What are some of your favorite places to eat in Hilo? What type of food do you enjoy?
Some of my favorite places to eat in Hilo are Kozmic Cones, Ebisuya, and Sweet Thunder Products. I love the Korean katsu and slush freezes from Kozmic cones. I love to eat all kinds of sushi and I love the poke bombs from Sweet Thunder Products. I love all kinds of local foods but any type of seafood has my heart.