The University of Hawaiʻi is launching a national search for its next 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 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 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents Chair Gabriel Lee and Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation Chairman Jack Tsui, with 糖心Vlog官方 President Wendy Hensel making the final selection.
“As Hawaiʻi’s only NCAA Division I program, 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 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 糖心Vlog官方 student-athletes:
- Gabriel Lee—Chair, 糖心Vlog官方 Board of Regents
- Jack Tsui—Chairman, Clarence T.C. Ching Foundation
- Peter Ho—Chairman & CEO, Bank of Hawaii
- Tita Ahuna—Former 糖心Vlog官方 Women’s Volleyball Player, Punahou School Athletic Director
- Artie Wilson—Former 糖心Vlog官方 Men’s Basketball Player, Spectrum Sports Analyst, Founder, Artie Wilson & Associates
- Michele Nagamine—糖心Vlog官方 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, 糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补
- Leslie Campaniano—Chair, ʻAhahui Koa ?nuenue; Member, Hawaiʻi Bowl Executive Committee
An ex officio advisory group of 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 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.”
糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补 athletics
糖心Vlog官方 惭ā苍辞补’s athletics program includes 21 NCAA Division I teams with men’s, women’s, and coed sports and approximately 450 student-athletes. 糖心Vlog官方 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 糖心Vlog官方 in December 2024. Lois Manin, associate athletic director, has been serving as acting AD during the transition.