Silverswords open region play Friday

The Chaminade men’s basketball team gets big challenges every year when it hosts the annual Maui Invitational, one of the premier preseason tournaments in the country.

Chaminade faces an equally daunting task Friday when it takes on host and defending Division II national champion Western Washington (27-2) in the West Regional. Chaminade (20-9) is seeded eighth and is one of three PacWest teams in the eight-team regional in Bellingham, Wash.

The Silverswords, who feature PacWest Player of the Year De’Andre Haskins, meet the second-ranked Vikings in Friday’s last quarterfinal at 4:30 p.m. Hawaii time.

Friday’s winners advance to Monday’s semifinals. The championship is next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Hawaii time.

Webcast and live stats will be available at wwuvikings.com.

Hashiro is new SID at Chaminade

Former radio broadcaster Kevin Hashiro has been hired as the sports information director at Chaminade.

Hashiro, who also was on staff with the Hawaii women’s basketball team for the 2008-09 season, was Chaminade’s event manager and special assistant to the athletic director for two years. He replaces Maurice Maggiolino, who was hired by Kamehameha Schools.

"I’m thrilled about my new position and looking forward to this new challenge," Hashiro said.

Vulcans boosters meet today

Karl Sloss, Hawaii Hilo men’s and women’s tennis coach, is the featured speaker at today’s Vulcan Athletic Club luncheon, the last of the semester. The event starts at noon in the Ho‘omalimali Room of the Naniloa Hotel. Lunch choices range from $13 to $17.

For more information, call Lei Ah Sam at (808) 974-7520.