HONOLULU — A journey that began with a trip to Japan last summer culminated with a celebration of another championship season in the University of Hawai'i women's basketball team's annual awards banquet on Wednesday at the Japanese Cultural Center Generations Ballroom.
 
Much of the 2024-25 Rainbow Wahine roster came together for the team's 10-day stay in Japan in June, and the 'Bows punctuated the season by honoring the accomplishments achieved over the course of a 22-10 season highlighted by a second straight Big West regular-season title and fourth consecutive postseason tournament berth.
 
Senior guard Lily Wahinekapu received the Ah Chew Goo Award, the program's most prestigious honor, as UH's Most Valuable Team Player. Wahinekapu became just the third UH player to earn Big West Player of the Year honors and led the Rainbow Wahine in scoring for the third straight season with 11.4 points per game while joining the program's 1,000-point club. She also made the All-Big West first team and earned places on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District and Academic All-Big West teams.
 
The team's Academic Award was presented to Brooklyn Rewers. The forward was also an Academic All-District and Academic All-Big West selection and was one of three players to appear in all 32 games this season while averaging 7.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per game.
 
The Defensive Award went to junior forward Imani Perez, who helped anchor a UH defense that ranked among the stingiest in the nation throughout the season. She averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game and finished second on the team with 32 blocked shots. Collectively, the 'Bows ended the season ranked third in the nation in field-goal percentage defense, seventh in scoring defense and first in 3-point percentage defense.
 
Sophomore guard Jovi Lefotu earned the Most Improved Player award in her comeback season. After sitting out the 2023-24 season, Lefotu was a key contributor in 26 appearances in her return to the backcourt rotation and averaged 5.5 points per game.
 
Freshman center Ritorya Tamilo picked up the team's Rookie Award after making 29 starts and leading the 'Bows in rebounding, field-goal percentage and blocked shots. She set the program's freshman record with 41 blocked shots, which was also UH's highest total since 2015.
 
On her birthday, Laura Beeman was honored for her fourth Big West Coach of the Year award, and the staff also recognized the record-setting performance of senior MeiLani McBee, who ended her career as the program's all-time leader in 3-point goals (208) and games played (140).
 
UH's senior class of Wahinekapu, Rewers, McBee, Hallie Birdsong, Kelsie Imai and Mia 'Uhila were presented with framed jerseys and custom handcrafted ukuleles.
 
2024-25 University of Hawai'i women's basketball awards
Academic Award — Brooklyn Rewers
Defensive Award — Imani Perez
Most Improved — Jovi Lefotu
Rookie of the Year — Ritorya Tamilo
Ah Chew Goo Award / Most Valuable Team Player — Lily Wahinekapu