The University of Hawaiʻi is launching a national search for its next UH Mānoa athletics director, with a 10-member search committee tasked with identifying candidates to guide the program through a rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape. The university aims to conduct finalist interviews in late May and announce the new hire by mid to late summer. The committee is co-chaired by UH Board of Regents Chair Gabriel Lee and Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Chairman Jack Tsui, with UH President Wendy Hensel making the final selection.
“As Hawaiʻi’s only NCAA Division I program, UH Mānoa athletics plays a crucial role in our state’s sports culture and economy,” said Hensel. “We need an athletics director who is not only a strategic and dynamic leader but also a strong fundraiser who can navigate the many challenges ahead, including the lack of a Division I football stadium.”
Search committee members
The search committee includes prominent business and community leaders and former UH student-athletes:
- Gabriel Lee—Chair, UH Board of Regents
- Jack Tsui—Chairman, Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation
- Peter Ho—Chairman & CEO, Bank of Hawaii
- Tita Ahuna—Former UH Women’s Volleyball Player, Punahou School Athletic Director
- Artie Wilson—Former UH Men’s Basketball Player, Spectrum Sports Analyst, Founder, Artie Wilson & Associates
- Michele Nagamine—UH Women’s Soccer Coach
- Susan Eichor—President & CEO, aio
- James Tokioka—Director, Hawaiʻi Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism
- Scott Sinnett—Faculty Athletic Representative, UH Mānoa
- Leslie Campaniano—Chair, ʻAhahui Koa Ānuenue; Member, Hawaiʻi Bowl Executive Committee
An ex officio advisory group of UH Manoa student-athletes and staff will also be named soon and will have the opportunity to meet with finalists to provide input on the selection.
Next steps: National search underway
The search committee begins meeting this month and will work with Parker Executive Search, a national firm, to facilitate the hiring process. Parker Executive Search will conduct listening sessions in March and April to gather community input, which the committee will use to develop the position description and candidate profile. The firm will also begin outreach to prospective candidates.
“Though we are working under a tight timeline, we are committed to a thorough, effective, and transparent process to ensure we secure the best possible leader for UH athletics,” Hensel added. “There is tremendous interest in this position, and we recognize that the next AD is important not only to the university, but also to our fans and community stakeholders. We particularly appreciate our partnership with Gov. [Josh] Green and Mayor [Rick] Blangiardi, whose support and unique insight will be important throughout the search.”
UH Mānoa athletics
UH Mānoa’s athletics program includes 21 NCAA Division I teams with men’s, women’s, and coed sports and approximately 450 student-athletes. UH is joining the Mountain West Conference as a full member effective July 1, 2026. Currently, the Rainbow Warriors and Rainbow Wāhine primarily compete in the Big West Conference, except for football, where it has been a member of the Mountain West since 2012.
The new athletics director will replace Craig Angelos, who departed UH in December 2024. Lois Manin, associate athletic director, has been serving as acting AD during the transition.
