Isaiah Chinen knew from an early age that he wanted to be a rugby player. But the Kailua-Kona native would’ve never guessed that the game would take him to the global stage.
Chinen, a 2012 Konawaena High School graduate and professional touch rugby player for the Seattle Touch Rugby Club, was selected to play for Team USA in the mixed open division of the Rugby Touch World Cup from July 15-21 in Nottingham, England. Not only was Chinen chosen to be a part of the prestigious group, but selected to co-captain as well.
Chinen was additionally named to be the nation’s flag bearer during the opening ceremonies. He was the first player from the Big Island to represent Hawai‘i for the U.S. in rugby touch.
“I was so humbled and it was quite surreal,” Chinen said of the experience. “That moment brought me back to growing up in Kona, and the abundant support and opportunities that were given to me by so many generous people in our community.
“For a Okinawan kid from the Big Island, to be standing up there representing our country — knowing the countless hours sacrificed running in the sand, training in tumultuous weather and time away from family to have paid off … words can not explain.”
Chinen and Team USA fared well in the world-class competition — placing No. 13 overall out of the 29 competing countries. The group went 3-3 in pool play and beat Germany 12-4 in the 13th-place game on July 21.
“To compete and befriend the best of each nation and be a part of their journey gave memories that I will cherish for a lifetime, and to have the support of my family with me there was special,” Chinen continued.
“I believe my coaches trusted me in helping lead our team by fostering an environment that uplifts and challenges one another. I had the privilege to learn from some amazing leaders who I now call dear friends and mentors. With trusting my own take on leadership and falling on my faith, I feel like we achieved our goals as a team.”
Getting to this moment took countless hours of sacrifice and dedication for Chinen, and he credits that work ethic from his upbringing on the West Side. Growing up in Kona, Chinen played just about every sport — ranging from soccer, paddling, karate, motocross, football and track before eventually landing on rugby.
Being raised in a place with limited external athletic resources and feeder programs, Chinen had to make due with what he had.
“I was very fortunate to have parents who championed an active life,” he said.
“I may be biased, but I think Growing up on the Big Island is the greatest gift God has given me. Not just as an athlete, but as a person. The community and Aloha this place radiates is not like anything else in the world. Being from this community has taught me to love authentically, to support unwaveringly and to always celebrate where I’m from.”
During his freshman year in 2009 at Konawaena, Blake McCormick — son of the newly-formed Kona Bulls rugby team’s manager — and a few additional friends invited Chinen to try out. Instantly, he fell in love with the sport.
“I always had a passion for football and soccer, but at the time, rugby was a completely new challenge that I wanted to pursue, and I saw an opportunity to continue playing later in life,” Chinen said.
The opportunities to keep playing rugby were rewarding for Chinen. He finished his high school career with three state titles, including sweeping the 7-man and 15-man divisions during Chinen’s senior season. He played the scrum and fly-half positions.
The Bulls’ local success caught the eye of Gameplan Hawai‘i, who enrolled Chinen and a few other teammates in a developmental program in New Zealand — where they polished their individual games to an even higher standard.
From there, Chinen and a few other Hawai‘i players were invited to tour for Team USA as All-Americans in Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. Following his experience in South America, Chinen attended Stanford University and Arizona State University to play collegiate rugby.
Despite the incredible experience of mainland rugby, Chinen admits it wasn’t easy. But the star stuck to the morals that he acquired from back home and persevered.
“Playing on the mainland was definitely an adjustment,” he said. “There is an opportunity to play many more teams and play-styles. But I think the most important thing for me was to keep that unwavering belief that despite being from an island without much external exposure, you deserve to be on the field.
“To know that the hours you put into your craft will pay dividends and to stay true to who you are. There were times that I felt like minimizing myself to fit the mold of the people around me. When I did that, I performed poorly. So truly enjoying the man that I am and always championing where I come from has been pivotal in my success.”
Chinen suffered an injury while playing for ASU, then deciding to take a short break from rugby by partaking in mission trips to New Zealand, Cambodia and Nepal. After he returned, a friend convinced Chinen to move to the Seattle region. Up in the northwest, his love for rugby was rekindled, as he was formally introduced to touch rugby.
“Simon Low and John Nguyen from Seattle Touch Rugby convinced me to come to nationals in 2022,” Chinen explained. “The speed of the game and constant high pressure decision making was something I knew I wanted to continue to be challenged by.”
Soon enough, Chinen found himself on the roster that same year, and he has since thrived on and off the pitch. While he has found success playing the middle position for the club, Seattle Touch Rugby has given Chinen opportunities to partake in what’s most important to him — giving back to others.
Through the organization, Chinen has been a part of Special Olympics – Washington, volunteered for various veteran programs and led various children’s art classes while donating supplies.
Additionally, he coaches Seattle Touch’s women’s team. Outside of touch rugby, Chinen also serves as an assistant for the University of Washington’s rugby team. He even recently became a firefighter in the Seattle area.
Growing up in a household with missionary parents, service has always been one of Chinen’s core values, and he is appreciative that he is able to practice that foundation in his new home.
“I feel very fortunate growing up as a missionary kid and a coach’s son, to constantly see my parents and family pour back into communities and love for others has always been something I am extremely proud of,” Chinen said. “So for me, it was only right I found ways to not just live in a community, but help give back to it. Luckily, Seattle Rugby Club had the same belief of pouring into its community and helped me find opportunities to give back.
“I am so blessed to have been poured into by so many people. For me, I’d feel selfish if I wasn’t able to share the things I have learned with others and champion the next generation to go further. In its simplest wording, it’s always about leaving the jersey in a better place.”
While Chinen has made a life for himself on the mainland, he wants to continue to give back to his hometown in any way he can. He has befriended fellow West Side native, Pono Davis, who currently plays for the Houston Sabercats of Major League Rugby. While the two didn’t know each other too well growing up, the pair has recently developed a friendship through the rugby community. Chinen told West Hawaii Today that he hopes to eventually open a rugby camp with Davis in Kona.
But more than anything, he wants the keiki of today’s West Side to be inspired by his story, and to continue working to achieve their highest goals — whether that be in recreation or not.
“I believe in you all, no goal is too big,” Chinen said. “Celebrate the work you have put in, but don’t stay there. It’s great to give yourself flowers for the work you put in, but don’t expect others to understand the sacrifices you are choosing to accomplish the uncommon.
“Surround yourself with a community of people who will love you and keep you accountable. The journey is never alone, and finding those people to help lift you makes the world of difference. Stay true to yourself — you got here for a reason, so don’t lose that edge by trying to be someone else.
“Reach out to others who have gone through a similar journey; there are way more people willing to help you than you think. Whether it is through words of encouragement or helping build out a game plan to execute, we come from a small island in the Pacific making huge waves on a world stage, and all of us are here to help see the next person carry the torch even further.”
