By Cindy Luis

didn’t realize it until it was up on the UH web site but swimmer Lauren Cheape (Miss Hokua) and cross country runner Shannon Dresser (Miss Waahila) were also in the competition.  A note from Raeceen: Aloha Everyone!Wowweee!! Praise God! I want to take some time to thank all of you for your love and continued support. Ryan (Tsuji) was right, I needed and still need all those prayers! I also want to thank Ryan for all his help! That guy prepared me for the interview and the on-stage question!! “Octo-mom” was duck soup!! Please keep in touch with me through email,  Facebook, and especially on the Miss Hawaii website, misshawaii.org, as I document my journey on our blog! Go check ‘um, go check ‘um go! Miss America will be Jan. 30, 2010 in Vegas! If you are interested in going, let me know!  I love each and every one of you and thank you again for helping me become your Miss Hawaii :) By FAITH and LOVE,Rae

By Cindy Luis

So happy for her. A lovely person inside and out.

By Cindy Luis

For those of you who asked, no, Kaufman is taking the next few weeks off to rest and get ready for volleyball. 

By Cindy Luis

Among the cost-cutting measures adopted by the WAC Board of Directors today, women’s volleyball tournament cut to six teams. Also trimmed to six teams are men’s and women’s tennis, softball, baseball and women’s soccer. Cut to eight are men’s and women’s basketball. I’m guessing that top 2 seeds get byes with bottom four meeting first day.  

By Cindy Luis

You’ll remember Dan as the odd man out, playing behind Jason Olive and Yuval Katz. .Fisher was named the associate head coach for Hawaii men’s volleyball today.Fisher, a former hitter for UH, spent the past two seasons as an assistant for the San Francisco women’s team. He also coached the Pacific men’s team for three seasons.Fisher played for the Warriors in 1995 and 1996, finishing his career at UOP. He is the second addition to new coach Charlie Wade’s staff. Wade earlier retained Mason Kuo as an assistant. 

By Cindy Luis

Back from the mainland and vacation … thanks to all who have continued to post. Congrats to Kaufman. spoke with mom (who lost her luggage on the way back). said it was a miracle Amber was about to make any sort of jump, given the back pain she was in. Amber and winner Destinee Hooker became friends  at last year’s Olympic trials. Wade has settled into his office. First day of work was Monday (6-15). That was also the deadline for applications for associate coach. have heard nothing on who has applied. I know that Brian Beckwith, Jake Schkud and Sean Carney are all interested in a grad assistant spot but don’t know if one could be created.Haven’t seen Stephanie Ferrell  since school let out in early May. She was walking well. Hope the rehab is going well. I’ve allowed some of the more ‘controversial’ comments to be posted for the sake of discussion. I’m at a loss to explain the dislike of Shoji and where the program is. I’ve read all of the discussion on VBT as well.  the facts are:The WAC is what it is. It’s not going to change. Hawaii will never get into the Pac-10. And as long as there’s football at UH, the Wahine sports will stay in the same conference as the men.Hawaii cannot compete with the BCS schools in terms of recruiting. The money isn’t there.  The academic reputation isn’t there.the non-WAC schedule is as tough as it can be. People tend to forget that just because Hawaii wants a school to come play doesn’t mean that school wants to or can afford to. And given the economics currently it’s going to be a harder sell.The same for players. Just because Hawaii recruits you doesn’t mean you want to come. lots of factors come into play. Academics. Staying close to home and family. Island living isn’t for everyone.     

By Cindy Luis

Three players from Hawaii have been named to the 12-member U.S. Junior National Men’s Volleyball Team that will compete at the FIVB World Championship this summer in India.Selected were libero Erik Shoji (Punahou ‘08), hitter  Brad Lawson (’Iolani ‘08) and hitter Tri Bourne (AOP ‘07). All three were members of the U.S. team that won the bronze medal last year at the World Championships.Shoji and Lawson play for Stanford and Bourne for USC.The tournanment runs from July 31 to Aug. 9.

By Cindy Luis

sorry on the mainland with limited ‘net access.no real surprise here. had been told 2 weeks ago the committee really liked charlie. wondering who he’ll have for assistants.  

By Cindy Luis

Been traveling with limited internet access. Saw Aneli get her B.A. Saturday. she worked very hard to do that in 2 years, especially when you consider she was a non-qualifier out of high school. But she did sit out the one year at CSI to get her AA and be able to play 3 years for the Wahine. 

By Cindy Luis

Was told the offiial announcement would come sometime today from UH.Hawaii has signed two incoming sophomore transfers. Corinne Cascioppo is a 6-3 rightside hitter from Mesa State College. Alexis Forsythe is a 6-4 middle from Houston Baptist.  The two were recruited by UH two years ago but it didn’t happen. Paperwork and transcripts finally got done yesterday