Ke‘ehi Boys Podcast: The Relievers

The latest episode of the Ke‘ehi Boys Podcast offered a deep dive into resilience, growth, and brotherhood within Hawaii Pacific University Sharks Baseball.

Hosted by head coach Dane Fujinaka, the episode featured former HPU pitchers Makana Quia (Waipahu, HI / Waipahu High School) and Mac Leisher (Honolulu, HI / Saint Louis School), alongside current Associate Head Coach and Hitting Coach Richard Higa, who shared the field with both players during his own Sharks career.

Together, the group reflected on winding journeys to HPU, overcoming adversity, and what it truly means to represent Hawai‘i.

Finding a Path to HPU

For Quia, the road to college baseball was anything but direct. A late bloomer out of Waipahu High School, he transformed himself from an overlooked underclassman into a mid-80s arm by his junior year—just as the recruiting landscape shifted due to COVID-19. With limited options, HPU became both a baseball opportunity and a long-term investment in his future.

Leisher’s story carried its own challenges. After training at IMG Academy in Florida and returning home to Saint Louis School, injuries reshaped his trajectory. Multiple UCL tears, spine surgery, and delayed rehab during the pandemic left him searching for stability. HPU provided that chance—one rooted not just in baseball, but in smaller class sizes, family support, and the ability to play at home.

Growth Beyond the Mound

While both pitchers arrived at HPU raw and unpolished, their development extended far beyond velocity and pitch design.

Quia’s transformation was defined by maturity. After narrowly remaining academically eligible early in his career, he overhauled his habits, leaned on teammates for support, and became one of the program’s biggest academic turnaround stories. That discipline translated on the field, where he eventually set the HPU career record for pitching appearances—becoming a model of durability and reliability out of the bullpen.

Leisher’s evolution was fueled by trust—both in his body and himself. Early seasons were shaped by fear of reinjury, but a pivotal shift in mindset unlocked his best baseball. By his final season, he emerged as one of the most impactful relievers in program history, leading the team in bullpen innings and playing a central role in HPU’s first winning season and postseason victories.

Brotherhood, Culture, and Ke‘ehi

Beyond stats and results, the episode highlighted the culture that defines HPU Baseball.

From workouts in dugouts and makeshift weight rooms to late nights at Ke‘ehi Lagoon parking lots, the stories painted a picture of a program built through shared struggle. Higa, who transitioned from teammate to coach, reflected on how trust and relationships carried the program through coaching changes and growing pains.

Those bonds, forged during difficult seasons, ultimately fueled the success that followed.

Life After Baseball

Today, Quia works as a soil inspector while settling into adult life off the field. Leisher has embraced his creative side as a tattoo artist and clothing brand founder, continuing to express pride in Hawai‘i through his work. Though their playing days have ended, both remain deeply connected to the program that shaped them.

As Fujinaka noted, the wins matter—but it’s the relationships, growth, and shared moments that endure long after the final out.

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