Built in Ke‘ehi, Bound for Glory: HPU Baseball Sets the Standard

This week’s episode of Sharks Weekly showcased the heartbeat of a program that has rebuilt itself through toughness, humility, and an unwavering commitment to getting better every single day. Head coach Dane Fujinaka and seniors Noah Hata and Keanu Spenser joined the show to talk culture, leadership, and why HPU Baseball continues trending upward in one of the nation’s most competitive Division II regions.

Fujinaka enters his fifth season with a résumé that speaks for itself. Under his direction, the Sharks have recorded four consecutive years of improvement, climbed back into the PacWest postseason conversation, and delivered their best campaign since 2010.

He admitted that coaching wasn’t originally part of the plan—he had a business degree and little idea where he wanted to land after college—but the mentorship he felt from his own coaches made him want to create that same environment for the next generation. The catcher-turned-coach found joy in leading, teaching, and building something bigger than himself, a philosophy now woven into every inch of the program.

That buy-in is evident through veterans like Hata, a local product who’s been with Fujinaka since year one. He said his decision to stay all four years—even during an era when the transfer portal makes change easy—comes down to the person behind the program.

Growing up, many of his coaches knew Fujinaka, and the trust built early on made choosing HPU feel less like a leap and more like a natural step. Representing Hawai‘i on the college stage has only amplified that pride.

“It means everything,” Hata said, noting that being one of the early local players on the roster showed other island athletes what was possible.

Spenser, meanwhile, came to HPU last year from Queens University of Charlotte where he put up strong numbers in the ASUN Conference. What convinced him to head to Honolulu was the balance: a tight-knit, hard-working, JUCO-style mentality combined with the chance to play in paradise.

He said the culture made the transition seamless, and the expectations soon became second nature. “Winning becomes easier when everyone around you is committed to the standard,” he added.

Much of the show also highlighted the grit behind the program’s now-signature mantra: Ke‘ehi Built.

The team practices at Ke‘ehi Lagoon, a facility that demands toughness before players even lace up their cleats. Between long walks to the field, crowded tennis courts nearby, unpredictable weather, locked equipment rooms, and plenty of off-field distractions, the environment has hardened the Sharks into one of Division II’s toughest-minded groups.

Hata described it best—“when practice is harder than the game, the game becomes easy”—a philosophy that has turned Ke‘ehi into its own symbol of resilience.

Fujinaka also spoke about the depth of his roster, changes on his coaching staff, and why this year’s team has a higher ceiling than any he’s coached.

The pitching staff, now under the guidance of new assistant Zach Swanson, has made significant strides, and competition at every position has intensified. For Fujinaka, the next step is ensuring that leadership—especially from seniors like Hata and Spenser—keeps the group aligned and hungry.

“The talent is there,” he said. “The identity comes next.”

Both seniors closed the show with the same goal in mind: leaving HPU with a championship. After coming agonizingly close last season, neither is shy about what they’re chasing.

“I want a banner,” Hata said plainly. Spenser echoed it—winning the PacWest isn’t a dream; it’s the expectation.

As Fujinaka put it, when your leaders live the standard, the rest of the roster follows.

2026 FIRST PITCH PA‘INA FUNDRAISER

Saturday, January 17, 2026
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Sunset Ballroom, Aloha Tower

$1000 per table
$150 per individual ticket

Join HPU Baseball for an evening of celebration, community, and support featuring a keynote speaker, pūpū, live music, buffet, drinks, and raffles. All proceeds directly support the program’s continued growth and championship pursuit.

REGISTER HERE