HONOLULU – On Tuesday night at the Stan Sheriff Center, University of Hawai'i athletics recognized a notable program milestone, recognizing the 45th anniversary of Rainbow Wahine athletics at UH.
 
The program was as much a celebration as it was an important history lesson for the 220 current Rainbow Wahine athletes in attendance, emphasizing the 1972 beginnings of UH women's sports under the first women's athletic director, Dr. Donnis Thompson. Dr. Thompson began the program with two sports – volleyball and track – expanding to eight teams before the end of her nine-year tenure.
 
Not to mention the role that UH played in realizing the athletics possibilities of the Title IX effort, spearheaded by Hawai'i Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink. The night was dedicated to the efforts of both gender equity pioneers.
 
Organized by Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator Marilyn Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, with Lori Santi as Mistress of Ceremonies, Hawai'i Athletics recognized eight honorees that influenced the women's program history to date. Hawai'i Governor David Ige and University President David Lassner aided in presenting honorees with gifts.
 
Among those honored were:
Eve Anderson – Worked with Dr. Thompson to create the Rainbow Wahine Hui booster club in 1976 to provide financial support to the budding programs.
Bobbie Brodhead – Supporter and booster since the 1970s, particularly for basketball, she provides support for the Rainbow Wahine Classic and a scholarship endowed to Wahine basketball.
Dr. Peter Nicholson – 25-year UH English professor who served on the Athletics Advisory Board from the mid-1990s until his retirement two years ago. He served UH as the Faculty Athletics Representative for 10 years, where he aided in the creation of three gender equity plans and completed the current Title IX assessment.
Ann Miller – Honolulu Advertiser reporter for 30 years who covered the beat for Wahine athletics and literally wrote the book on Dave Shoji, co-authoring "Wahine Volleyball: 40 Years Coaching Hawaii's Team."
Dave Shoji – Hired by Dr. Thompson in 1975, he led the volleyball program to unparalleled heights – retired this year after leading UH for 42 years through 1,202 wins and four national championships.
BJ Itoman – Former Rainbow Wahine basketball star who now flies C-17's out of Hickam Air Force Base for Hawai'i's 15th Wing. The 1999 Bonham Award winner, she remains the all-time assists leader and was a four-time all-conference player, and academic all-conference, finishing her senior year as an Academic All-American.
Beth McLachlin – One of the pioneering players on the first volleyball team, she was a two-time All-American for the Rainbow Wahine and captained the 1976 Olympic team. She went on to coach volleyball and then spent 25 years as athletic director at La Pietra Hawai'i School for Girls - she retired in 2016.
 
In a surprise move led by Dr. Nicholson, the program also honored Moniz-Kaho'ohanohano, who was a member of the first volleyball team and was hired in 1989 to oversee UH women's athletics. She retires June 1st after 28 years with the program.
 
Taking the stage, Itoman, Nicholson and McLachlin reflected on the progress of the past 45 years of progress and imparted the wisdom of their experiences to the current student-athletes in the program. In a special moment, UH honored 40 Rainbow Wahine seniors from each program, before tennis player Cindy Nguyen provided the senior response and softball player Heather Morales provided the final mahalo to close the evening.