Mid-Pacific hoops hires ex-Raider star Hirata

Ryan Hirata hasn’t forgotten those hanabata days of the late 1990s.

Back then, the sharpshooting eighth grader would show up on open play nights at Kaimuki Community Park gym with best friend Derrick Low to take on the adults, including a number of college players looking for pickup games.

Hirata and Low rained in 3-pointers from almost every spot, stepping back often to NBA range. Then came state championships at ‘Iolani for multiple-all-state player of the year Low, who was joined by Hirata during their senior year as they won another crown for the Raiders.

He went on to play basketball at Chaminade University. Now Hirata, 27, is looking to make his mark from the bench as a head coach. Mid-Pacific announced the hiring of Hirata on Monday, lifting the former star guard from the Raiders. Hirata has been a coach in the ‘Iolani intermediate, JV and varsity system since 2007.

"It’s pretty neat how fast the word spread. Hawaii’s so small and all the support from everybody, including the people at ‘Iolani," Hirata said. "This is the first time I’ve been through a varsity coaching job process. It makes me appreciate what varsity coaches do every year."

Hirata will meet with Mid-Pacific’s players, from varsity through intermediate, later in the week. Then it’ll be time to put in the hard work, possibly replicating what the ‘Iolani program has done in the offseason for decades.

"There are some guys from the (MPI) junior varsity who did some good things last season, and some returnees that I’m excited about," Hirata said. "I want to change the culture there and make them believe in something. I definitely want to bring excitement to the program and be considered a contender in the ILH, one of the tougher leagues in the state."

Competing against powerhouses with a lot more flexibility and financial-aid resources is part of the reality.

"You’d like to win right away, but it takes good people and good students to develop good basketball players and teams," he said. "People are saying that wins are going to be right around the corner, but it is going to take some time. I think we have some pieces of the puzzle to be competitive right away. If we do this the right way, the parents will be able to see we’re developing well-rounded kids who do well in the community, study hard and, after that long eight-hour day of classes, they give their best on the basketball court."

In a press release, first-year athletic director Scott Wagner called Hirata "the perfect coach to lead the MPI boys basketball program."

"Hopefully, I don’t disappoint Scott," Hirata said. "He’s a great guy."

Hirata has been a development coordinator at Chaminade for the past five years. He is involved with fundraising and the annual Maui Invitational. His old friend, Low, is playing professionally in Turkey. The two have conducted summer camps for several years.

"When he comes back in the summer, he’ll work with our boys," Hirata said. "Once he puts the ball in his hands, they’ll know he’s for real."

Hirata steps in for Dwight Holiday, the former UH Fab Five standout guard. Holiday resigned after one season.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

CARAGH MORRIS
Campbell softball

Hit two home runs, including a three-run shot in the bottom of the sixth, to lead the Sabers over Leilehua 11-9.

TOP 10 POLLS

BASEBALL

Also receiving votes: Moanalua 14, Waipahu 14, Maryknoll 3, Kamehameha-Hawaii 2, Kalani 2, Kaiser 2, Kauai 1.

SOFTBALL

Also receiving votes: Hilo 12, Nanakuli 9, Leilehua 7, Kaiser 3, Kapolei 2.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Also receiving votes: Hana 9, Saint Louis 4.

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Records do not include Monday’s results.