A Season of Service
The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo women's soccer team was awarded the 2025–26 Pacific West Conference Women's Team Community Engagement Award, recognizing a season spent giving back to the campus and the broader Hilo community.
During the 2025–26 season the squad logged 637.5 hours of volunteer work, participating in events such as Mālama ʻĀina Day, the Merrie Monarch Festival, Boo at the Zoo, and Special Olympics competitions, while also reading to elementary students on Dr. Seuss Day and supporting Team IMPACT and the Unity Prom.
On campus they helped with Move‑in Day and health fairs, and they lent a hand at local soccer tournaments including the Waiākea High School tournament, the Nā Hoa Cup, and the Mini Big Tournament, contributing to both youth development and health initiatives.
Athletics Director Patrick Guillen praised the team, saying their dedication to community engagement reflects a deeper commitment that extends beyond the playing field. Head Coach Gene Okamura added that the players have grown into proactive leaders, taking initiative in their service projects.
The honor builds on UH Hilo's recent accolades, following the university's own PacWest Team Engagement Award for the 2024–25 academic year, underscoring a sustained culture of service within the athletics program.