Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans Athletics

HIGHLIGHTS

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

STUDENT IN STUDENT-ATHLETE
» 2025-26 Academic All-PacWest Team
» 2025-26 Hawai‘i Hilo Student-Athlete Academic Honors

2025 (Freshman): Played in 23 games (9.5 minutes/g). Totaled 39 points, 33 rebounds and 12 steals.

4 points (1-1 FG, 2-2 FT) in L vs Westmont (Jan 20). 4 points (4-4 FT) in 68-59 W vs Biola (Jan 24). 3 points, 3 rebounds in 83-79 OT W vs Azusa Pacific (Jan 29). 4 rebounds in L vs Menlo (Jan 10). Season-high 6 points (3-4 FG) in L vs Westmont (Jan 31).

BEFORE HAWAI‘I HILO
» 2025 graduate of Highland High School (Utah)
» Three seasons of varsity basketball for coach Chris Jones
» Club/Travel Teams: Team Utah

PERSONAL
» Preferred Name: Vai (VYE)
» Pronunciation: VYE-knee-coh-loh
» Nickname: Waataah
» Born May 2006 in Utah
» Parents: Mele and Charles
» Older brother Charles is also a member of Vulcans Men's Basketball (2023-2027)
» Career Aspirations: Finance
» Major: Communication

WHY HAWAI‘I HILO
» "My mom is Tongan-Samoan born in Hawai‘i and my dad is Tongan-haole. I felt Hilo would be a great fit especially because of my strong family roots in Hawai‘i. It’s been my dream to follow in my brother's footsteps because we have played together on the same teams and leagues our whole life."

FAVORITES
» Hobbies: Basketball, Pickleball, Spending Time with Nephew
» Sports Moment: "Going to the Utah State Championship in 2025."
» Movies: Horror Movies (Annabella, Conjuring)
» Quote: "I can’t relate to lazy people. We don’t speak the same language.” –Kobe Bryant
» Video Games: Fortnite