Coach Hiram N. Akina
Coach Akina grew up in Wahiawa, Hawaii, spending most of his waking hours at the Wahiawa City Park. It didn't matter the sport, he played it. And he played with a passion and determination that set him above the rest in skill, hustle, and heart. While in high school he earned the Leilehua Mighty Mule Award given to the most outstanding and spirited athlete, while playing football and basketball. After high school, he continued his passion to play. Most people don't know that Coach Akina also played professional baseball at the age of 20 with the Hawaii Islanders, a farm team for the San Diego Padres. After a year, he decided that he wanted to spend more time with his family and in helping coach kids' teams in Wahiawa. A few years later, Akina was recruited to play basketball for Brigham Young University Hawaii Campus when he was 28 years old. So off he went to be their starting point guard and got his Bachelor's degree while on scholarship. He went on to earn his Master's Degree from BYU Provo in Physical Education Professional Leadership with a Coaching emphasis-while the Assistant Coach for the BYU Cougar Women's Basketball Team.
Coach Akina has been a basketball coach for 43 years in the high school and collegiate levels. Wherever he found a challenge he took hold and ran. Coach Akina is famous for taking teams that have a history of losing records, and coaching them to be champions.
Coach Akina is a student of sport. He is continuously checking up on the latest training techniques, and putting his wealth of knowledge to use in training athletes and teams. He loves to help kids excel in sports and athletics. His most cherished moments are watching the excitement of his athletes as they begin to succeed.
As much as Coach loves athletics, his first love is his family. He and his wife Pam have 8 children and 9 grandchildren-all whom he LOVES to be around. His other hobbies include listening to (and singing with) Hawaiian music, watching movies and talking story. He is very active in his church and is grateful every day for the many blessings that fill his life with joy.
Coach Akina has been a basketball coach for 43 years in the high school and collegiate levels. Wherever he found a challenge he took hold and ran. Coach Akina is famous for taking teams that have a history of losing records, and coaching them to be champions.
Coach Akina is a student of sport. He is continuously checking up on the latest training techniques, and putting his wealth of knowledge to use in training athletes and teams. He loves to help kids excel in sports and athletics. His most cherished moments are watching the excitement of his athletes as they begin to succeed.
As much as Coach loves athletics, his first love is his family. He and his wife Pam have 8 children and 9 grandchildren-all whom he LOVES to be around. His other hobbies include listening to (and singing with) Hawaiian music, watching movies and talking story. He is very active in his church and is grateful every day for the many blessings that fill his life with joy.
Testimonials
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"Coach Akina coached at BYU for the 4 years that I played there. We came in the same year and he left after my senior year. He has had an immeasurable impact on me as an athlete and as a person. While I was playing at BYU I learned to depend on him for words of encouragement and for coaching tips that had a profound effect on me. When I reflect on my time as a student-athlete and how Coach Akina has impacted my life a flood of memories come to my mind.
Some of the qualities I love most about Coach Akina are his warm heart, sense of humor, generosity, his humility, faith, loyalty. love and commitment to family and friends, his love for his players, and love for Heavenly Father.
I consider him a true friend and am so grateful that I have had the blessing of being coached by him in basketball and in life."
Cathy Nixon
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Utah Valley University
"Coach Akina you were the first person to greet me on the island with the Aloha spirit. I was put at ease with your smile and comforting tone of speech. As my coach you were very easy to talk with and you were an enthusiastic teacher on the court. I respected you coach even more when I found out how good of a basketball player you were. You were a great assist leader and distributed the ball. Coach Akina you were always honest with me when it came to my basketball game. You committed yourself to help develop my jump shot. The two of us spent hours in the small gym shooting, talking and best of all sharing a laugh. I wish I could have spent more time with Coach."
Coach Barry "High Rise" Hardy
Head Basketball Coach
Harlem Globetrotters
"Coach Hiram Akina has influenced many individuals in the game of basketball. He continues to do so with his teachings, his success and, most importantly, his integrity. Mahalo, Coach Akina, for all you have done for me and this great game!!"
Coach Brandyn Akana
Assistant Coach
University of Hawaii Men's Basketball
"I have known Coach Akina for almost 20 years and have had the opportunity to be involved with him in multiple capacities. I look to him as an example, a friend, and a mentor. He is an exceptional coach and has so many talents and qualities that he not only exemplifies himself in his daily life, but more importantly, teaches to his players and those he associates with. I have witnessed how organized, disciplined, and hard his teams play. He truly encompasses all the great characteristics of the best coaches I have had the honor to associate with in my life. This is evident by not only his unquestionable success from a win/loss perspective, but also from the love, respect, and devotion his players and assistant coaches have for him. Most paramount, Coach Akina is a superior person, then he is coach. His legacy and influce will endure far beyond his days on the hardwood. Coach Akina, thanks for your love, friendship, and example!"
Marc L. Leavitt
"Coach Akina is a great coach. The best coach I've had so far. If i had a chance I would keep him for one more year, but I have to move on. So all the other juniors gotta enjoy him."
Christian Feagai
Forward Center
Kahuku Graduate 2009
"I played for him when I was 6th grade, we went to Las Vegas. And now we just finished our senior season. It was the highlight of my high school career because we went to states but we got runner-up but that's OK. Coach Akina is very disciplined, I like that. I want to thank him for everything."
Irwin Ah Hoy
Point Guard
Kahuku Graduate 2009
Some of the qualities I love most about Coach Akina are his warm heart, sense of humor, generosity, his humility, faith, loyalty. love and commitment to family and friends, his love for his players, and love for Heavenly Father.
I consider him a true friend and am so grateful that I have had the blessing of being coached by him in basketball and in life."
Cathy Nixon
Head Women's Basketball Coach
Utah Valley University
"Coach Akina you were the first person to greet me on the island with the Aloha spirit. I was put at ease with your smile and comforting tone of speech. As my coach you were very easy to talk with and you were an enthusiastic teacher on the court. I respected you coach even more when I found out how good of a basketball player you were. You were a great assist leader and distributed the ball. Coach Akina you were always honest with me when it came to my basketball game. You committed yourself to help develop my jump shot. The two of us spent hours in the small gym shooting, talking and best of all sharing a laugh. I wish I could have spent more time with Coach."
Coach Barry "High Rise" Hardy
Head Basketball Coach
Harlem Globetrotters
"Coach Hiram Akina has influenced many individuals in the game of basketball. He continues to do so with his teachings, his success and, most importantly, his integrity. Mahalo, Coach Akina, for all you have done for me and this great game!!"
Coach Brandyn Akana
Assistant Coach
University of Hawaii Men's Basketball
"I have known Coach Akina for almost 20 years and have had the opportunity to be involved with him in multiple capacities. I look to him as an example, a friend, and a mentor. He is an exceptional coach and has so many talents and qualities that he not only exemplifies himself in his daily life, but more importantly, teaches to his players and those he associates with. I have witnessed how organized, disciplined, and hard his teams play. He truly encompasses all the great characteristics of the best coaches I have had the honor to associate with in my life. This is evident by not only his unquestionable success from a win/loss perspective, but also from the love, respect, and devotion his players and assistant coaches have for him. Most paramount, Coach Akina is a superior person, then he is coach. His legacy and influce will endure far beyond his days on the hardwood. Coach Akina, thanks for your love, friendship, and example!"
Marc L. Leavitt
"Coach Akina is a great coach. The best coach I've had so far. If i had a chance I would keep him for one more year, but I have to move on. So all the other juniors gotta enjoy him."
Christian Feagai
Forward Center
Kahuku Graduate 2009
"I played for him when I was 6th grade, we went to Las Vegas. And now we just finished our senior season. It was the highlight of my high school career because we went to states but we got runner-up but that's OK. Coach Akina is very disciplined, I like that. I want to thank him for everything."
Irwin Ah Hoy
Point Guard
Kahuku Graduate 2009
