HONOLULU – University of Hawai'i men's volleyball head coach Charlie Wade announced two new additions with signing of Kainoa Wade of Honolulu and Roman Payne of Carlsbad, Calif.
 
Kainoa Wade, the middle son of Charlie Wade, will join the program mid-year and in time for the start of the 2025 season. Payne will join the team for the 2026 campaign.
 
"We are very excited about our 2025 recruiting class," Charlie Wade said. "Roman and Kainoa are clearly two of the best players in the country and will both have great careers with us. Both are excellent students and outstanding young men of character.
 
"The 2025 class is made even more special because it includes my middle son Kainoa who I have coached for years. I have seen him become one of the best players in Hawai'i high school history after a really special career culminating in last year's state championship. I know both Roman and Kainoa are looking forward to representing Hawai'i and we are looking forward to seeing them grow and develop throughout their careers."
 
Kainoa Wade is a two-time state player of the year out of Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama. As a junior, he led the Warriors to the Division I state title with a four-set win over Punahou. Wade tallied 34 kills in that match earning the school's first state championship since 2011. The 6-foot-10 opposite also helped the Warriors to the state title match in 2023 and recorded a match-high 30 kills in the championship against Punahou. The Kailua, O'ahu native also played club ball for Outrigger Volleyball Club.
 
Payne, a 7-foot middle blocker from Carlsbad High School in California, was a member of the United States Boys U19 National Team which captured the gold medal at the 2024 NORCECA Continental Championship this summer. He was named the tournament's Best Blocker after recording 13 total blocks, including nine in a pool play win over Cuba. He totaled 45 points in USA's five matches. Payne played club ball for Coast VBC.