HONOLULU—University of Hawai'i head softball coach Panita Thanatharn announced the signing of three transfers—including a pair of local girls returning home to the Islands. Joining the Rainbow Wahine for the 2026 season are Rhea Furtado, Taryn Irimata and Hannah Pitts.
 
Furtado, a 5-2 utility player, spent her rookie season at conference rival CSUN in 2025. She appeared in 40 games with six starts for the Matadors, primarily as a pinch runner. Furtado hit .143 (3-for-21) for the season with nine runs scored. She is a 2024 graduate of Kapa'a High School where she was named KIF Player of the Year and was voted the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) Tournament's Most Outstanding Player after leading the Warriors to win the 2022 and '24 Division II state championships. 
 
Irimata is a 5-7 right-handed pitcher who has three years of eligibility left after starting her collegiate career at Nevada. She appeared in four games and recorded a perfect 3-0 record as a Wolf Pack freshman in 2024. She tallied a 3.75 ERA in 18.2 innings pitched. She issued three walks while striking out 15 inas a rookie. Unfortunately, Irimata sat out the 2025 season due to an injury. Irimata is a 2023 graduate of James Campbell High School, where she earned all-league, all-state, and all-state tournament honors. As a senior, Irimata culminated her decorated prep career garnering 2023 Division I OIA and State Pitcher of the Year honors after leading the Sabers to the 2023 HHSAA state title. She capped off her high school career by being voted Gatorade State Softball Player of the Year. She also was inducted into the HHSAA Hall of Honor. Irimata is a second generation Rainbow Wahine as her mother, Andrea was a member of UH's water polo team from 1997-2001.
 
Pitts is a 5-8 right-handed pitcher who has one year of eligibility left after playing her first three collegiate seasons at Mercer in Macon, Ga.. For her career, Pitts appeared in 86 games over four years for the Bears. She recorded a 22-34 overall record with a 3.82 ERA in 388.2 total innings. She recorded 134 walks to 280 strikeouts. The native of Auburn, Ala. is a 2021 graduate of Auburn High School where she was a highly-decorated pitcher and scholar-athlete. Pitts earned almultiple l-state honors  while being inducted into the National Honor Society in the classroom.


"I'm so happy to welcome home Rhea and Taryn." says Thanatharn. "Despite strong interest from other programs, their love for our team—Hawai'i's team—is unmatched. They will represent our program, our university, our community, and our state with great pride."

Thanatharn continued, "After taking a season off due to injury, Taryn returns to the circle with two years of college experience under her belt. We're excited to see her back and ready to compete. Her resilience and determination will be a huge boost to our pitching staff."

"Rhea brings speed and versatility to our lineup," adds Thanatharn. "She's a true utility player who's ready to wreak havoc on the base paths and make an immediate impact."

"We're also pumped to welcome Hannah, who chose to finish her career with us in Hawai'i." says Thanatharn. "She brings experience, maturity, and postseason knowledge to our pitching staff, and we're thrilled she's joining our 'Ohana." 

 
2026 Signees
Rhea Furtado – 5-2 – Utility – Sophomore transfer – Kapa'a, Kaua'i (Kapa'a HS/CSUN)
Taryn Irimata – 5-7 – Right-handed Pitcher – Soph. transfer – 'Ewa Beach, O'ahu (James Campbell HS/Nevada)
Maryn Macneil – 5-9 – Right-handed Pitcher – Roseville, Calif. / Woodcreek HS
Briana Maio-Silva – 5-7 – Middle Infield – Wailuku, Maui / H.P. Baldwin HS
Bailey Nagasako – 5-7 – Catcher/First & Third Base – Kahului, Maui / H.P. Baldwin HS
Hannah Pitts – 5-8 – Right-handed pitcher – Senior transfer – Auburn, Ala. (Auburn HS/Mercer)
Abby Sasaki – 5-8 – Outfield – Irvine, Calif. / Irvine HS