Hawaii Athletes Making Waves Across Sports

From baseball to wrestling, Hawaii-grown athletes excel at all levels nationwide

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Hawaii-born athletes are making a big impact across a variety of college sports, from baseball standouts like Kuhio Aloy and Nuu Contrades to wrestling champions like Erin Hikiji and Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp. These local talents are shining on the national stage and representing the Aloha State with pride.

Why it matters

The success of these Hawaii athletes showcases the depth of talent produced by the state's high school and youth sports programs. It also highlights the ability of local athletes to thrive after leaving the islands, competing at the highest levels of college sports and positioning themselves for potential professional careers.

The details

From baseball standouts like Kuhio Aloy batting .385 for Arkansas and Nuu Contrades stealing bases for Arizona State, to wrestlers like Erin Hikiji and Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp winning conference titles, Hawaii-grown athletes are making waves across the country. Other highlights include Mia Cepeda tying for second in golf at Albany, Sherreigh Nakoa-Chung winning two games for Portland State softball, and Tatum Moku taking second in the pole vault at the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Championships.

  • Hawaii athletes have been excelling in college sports throughout the 2026 season.
  • The latest achievements come in March 2026.

The players

Kuhio Aloy

A baseball player from Baldwin High School who is batting .385 with a 1.081 OPS for the University of Arkansas.

Nuu Contrades

A baseball player from Saint Louis School who has stolen 31 bases in 34 career attempts for Arizona State University.

Erin Hikiji

A wrestler from Mililani High School who won her third straight Cascade Conference Championship at 103 pounds for Providence College in Montana.

Waipuilani Estrella-Beauchamp

A wrestler from Baldwin High School who won the Cascade Conference Championship at 131 pounds for Providence College in Montana.

Mia Cepeda

A golfer from Kahuku High School who finished tied for second at the Lady Bison Spring Invitational for the University at Albany.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Hawaii's high school and youth sports programs continue to produce top-tier talent that is thriving at the college level across a diverse array of sports. These athletes are not only representing the islands with pride, but also positioning themselves for potential professional opportunities down the line.