KEA‘AU — Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i senior Keanu Huihui signed a letter of intent to join to UH-Hilo women’s basketball team, during a ceremony Wednesday night at the KSH campus.
Now entering her third year of varsity, Huihui is the first basketball player to hold a signing event so far this school year.
She will now get to take her game to the next level, while also staying close to her support network.
“I love home, my family’s here and all my supporters,” Huihui said. “It’ll be easier for them to come to games. I just love being home, I love the atmosphere.”
The Vulcans’ coaching, team culture and playing style were also major factors in Huihui’s decision.
“I’m excited to play for coach Dave (Kaneshiro),” Huihui said, “getting to know more of the girls, and continuing to grow as an athlete and a basketball player.
“I like that (the Vulcans) play super agressive. They push the ball, they shoot when they’re open, they make really good passes. Their IQ as a team is really good.”
Prior to signing her letter of intent, Huihui delivered an emotional speech describing her journey as a basketball player. She began playing the sport at five years old, and was coached by her father through most of her childhood.
Huihui talked about struggling in basketball during her youth, and referred specifically to playing on a travel team in fifth grade.
“I showed up to every practice, every clinic, every training session, and I still struggled,” she said. “I sacrificed everything for basketball, I never scored. Defensively, I was slow, and I wasn’t able to contribute to the team as (much as) everyone else. I felt defeated. I wanted to give up, but here I am seven years later, humbled that no one gave up on me.”
Huhui credited a great deal of her development and success to her coaches and their unwavering standards.
“Even when I cried you guys never lowered your expectations,” she said. “I wouldn’t be who I am, or the player I’ve grown to be, if it wasn’t for your guidance and your persistence in making me better.”
Huihui and the Warriors will begin their BIIF season tonight with an away match at Kea‘au HS. Over the weekend, they got things started at an invitational tournament on O‘ahu — where KSH went 2-1, defeating Kalani High 43-23 and Pearl City High 38-32 before falling 52-22 to Waimea High.