Hilo-native Reed Sunahara has been named the next head coach of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women’s volleyball program.
“We are thrilled to welcome Reed Sunahara to our university ʻohana,” said UH Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen. “We are fortunate to have someone of his caliber and pedigree as part of our team. The fact that he is a local boy from Hilo is just icing on the cake.”
Sunahara returns to Hawaiʻi Island and collegiate volleyball after serving nine seasons as head coach at Division I West Virginia University (2015–2023) where he helped lead the Mountaineers to their first-ever NCAA postseason appearance in 2021. Prior to that, he was also head coach at the State University of New York at Buffalo (2014), University of Cincinnati (2000–2011) and University of Toledo (1995–1996).
A 1981 graduate of Hilo High School where he was a three-sport star in baseball, basketball and volleyball, Sunahara was heavily recruited by then-Vulcans basketball coach Jimmy Yagi but ultimately chose to pursue volleyball at UCLA where he became a three-time NCAA champion and two-time All-American.
“First of all, I want to thank Chancellor Bonnie Irwin, Patrick Guillen, Melanie Brokaw, Kula Oda and Paul Regrutto for their time and getting me on board,” Sunahara said. “Hilo’s always been home to me, and it’s great to be back. I’m excited about this program and the future. I think we can do great things. It’s my hometown. I grew up here. I have a lot of family and friends that are here so I’m excited to start.”
