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Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans Athletics

HAWAI'I HILO VULCANS ATHLETICS
Coach Kaniela Aiona

Kaniela Aiona

  • Title
    Men's Basketball Head Coach
  • Since
    May 2020
  • Email
    kkaiona@hawaii.edu
  • Phone
    808-932-7165

Kaniela Aiona become the Hawai‘i Hilo men's basketball program's sixth head coach in May 2020.

The Hawai‘i-native returned home after having last served as head coach at Menlo College for five seasons.


HAWAI‘I HILO MEN'S BASKETBALL RECORD

SEASON TEAM RECORD NOTES
2020-21 10-2 Overall
10-2 PacWest 
(No. 1 Hawai‘i Pod)

Shortened COVID Spring Season

PacWest Defender of the Year
PacWest Newcomer of the Year

(4) All-PacWest Team Selections

2021-22 14-13 Overall
10-9 PacWest (No. 6)

PacWest Championships Quarterfinals

PacWest Freshman of the Year

(3) All-PacWest Team Selections

2022-23 17-9 Overall
13-7 PacWest (No. 4)

PacWest Championsips Quarterfinals

PacWest Defender of the Year
PacWest Newcomer of the Year

(3) All-PacWest Team Selections

2023-24 19-12 Overall
12-8 PacWest (No. T4)

PacWest Championships Semifinals
Hawai‘i Hilo Win No. 50 (Dec. 19 vs San Francisco State)

(2) All-PacWest Team Selections

2024-25 19-13 Overall
11-9 PacWest

PacWest Championsips Semifinals

PacWest Defender of the Year

(2) All-PacWest Team Selections

5 Seasons 79-49 Overall
57-35 PacWest
- Championships
6 Major Awards

2022-23:


COACHING CAREER
» 14 All-PacWest Team Selections
» Program All-Time Rank No. 4: 70+ Wins (Jan. 11, 2025 vs Biola)
» 2023-23 NABC Team Academic Excellence Award
» Program Career Win No. 50 (Dec. 19, 2023 vs San Francisco State)
» 2021-22 NABC Team Academic Excellence Award

PLAYERS' ACCOLADES
» 2024-25 PacWest Conference Defender of the Year: Nadjrick Peat
» 2023-24 Hawai‘i Hilo Imua Vulcan Award: Kalique Mitchell
» 2022-23 PacWest Conference Defender of the Year: Nadjrick Peat
» 2020-21 PacWest Conference Defender of the Year: Jordan Graves


PLAYING CAREER
» 2024 Webster Athletics Hall of Fame
» Played four years for the Webster University Gorloks, averaging double-digit scoring figures (2001-2005)
» Honors: All-St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Team (x2), Webster Athletics President's Award, SLIAC Winter All-Academic Team (x2)
» Played freshman season for current Hawai‘i Hilo women's basketball head coach David Kaneshiro

ALMA MATER
» Honoka‘a High School (Hawai‘i) 2001
» Webster University (Missouri) 2005 - B.A. Advertising and Marketing Communications
» Central Methodist University (Missouri) 2008 - M.A. Education

PERSONAL
» Hometown: Waimea, Hawai‘i
» Has two children with his wife


CAREER
2020-Present: University of Hawai‘i at Hilo
2014-2020: Menlo College (HC: 72-71)
2013-2015: Saint Leo University (Assistant)
2011-2013: Benedictine University (Assistant)
2008-2010: Lake Forest College (Assistant)
2006-2008: Central Methodist (Assistant)
2005-2006: Webster University (Assistant)


MEDIA
» Jimmy Yagi Vulcans camps returns to Hilo community (July 22, 2022) - KHON2 News
» Resurgence fueled by first-year head coach Kaniela Aiona (March 2, 2021) - KHON2 News

Coach Kaniela Aiona Webster Hall of Fame

Kaniela Aiona 50th Win