Hitting coach Dave Nakama is leaving the University of Hawaii baseball team, head coach Rich Hill confirmed to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser.

Read more Hawaii considers gasoline tax suspension as pump prices soar

“He’s going to move on,” said Hill, who praised Nakama’s contributions the past five seasons as an assistant coach. “Dave was extremely instrumental in the rise of Rainbow baseball over the last five years. What we’ve been able to accomplish over the last five years — which is amazing considering where we were — he was a huge part of that.”

The Rainbow Warriors did not have a winning Big West season in their first nine years of league membership. After Hill was named UH head coach on June 18, 2021, his first hire was Nakama. The 1980 Kaiser High graduate previously was head coach at San Francisco State and San Jose State.

The ’Bows were the only team to finish fifth or better in the Big West in each of the past five seasons. The Big West Tournament, which began in 2025, has a five-team field.

“That includes Irvine, Santa Barbara, Cal Poly, Fullerton, Long Beach, UC San Diego,” Hill said.

“None of those schools finished fifth consistently over the past five years. We were the only school to do that, and Dave was a big part of that.”

Nakama is credited with helping to develop outfielder/first baseman Ben Zeigler-Namoa, designated hitter Mana Lau Kong, and outfielder Kamana Nahaku.

Hill said Nakama was influential “not only from an offensive side but the general culture and building a program and recruiting. All of the above.”

Read more Local sports briefs: Kealakehe seeking football head coach

Keith Zuniga remains as associate head coach and pitching coach. Assistant coach Jordan Twohig will have an expanded role with the hitters.

Hill also will hire a coach to oversee the offense and help with recruiting.

Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Isaiah Magdaleno received another honor. On Tuesday, the junior from Los Angeles was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association’s All-West Region second team. Magdaleno became the first ’Bow to receive all-region honors since pitcher Dylan Thomas in 2018.

“It’s a really good achievement, a blessing,” Magdaleno said.

“I’m glad I put myself in a solid spot and grateful for everybody who helped me. I wish everything goes the way I want in the next month.”

Magdaleno pitched to 2.36 ERA and 0.92 WHIP (fifth nationally) this past season. During a span of 32.1 innings in May, Magdaleno struck out 43, issued three walks and compiled an ERA of 0.83. He has emerged as a prospect for next month’s Major League Baseball draft.

“I just enjoyed the whole year,” Magdaleno said. “I feel that really helped me. Just having fun with everybody, and being happy to be at the field, and ready to get to work. I feel that’s what drove everything.”

Magdaleno has been training at DEUCE Athletics in Venice, Calif. Tim Trafficanda of TWC Sports Management serves as Magdaleno’s adviser.

Read more New building opens at East Hawaii Health Clinics in Hilo