Waiakea Grad Named UH-Hilo Compliance Coordinator

Monica Morita. UH-Hilo photo.

It can now truly be said that Monica Morita has returned home.

Morita, a 1980 graduate of Waiakea High School, was named the University of Hawai’i at Hilo athletic department’s compliance coordinator and senior woman administrator. She replaces Pam Knox, who had left Western Oregon University to take the position at UH-Hilo in 2012.

Less than two years ago, Morita had returned to the islands after spending 25 years at the University of Southern California. She was hired as the executive assistant to then-University of Hawai’i head football coach Norm Chow.

“Monica has a strong background in student services, including oversight of financial aid, athletic scholarships, and student-athlete academic success. She is originally from Hilo with deep-rooted ties to the community and is a great addition and fit to our administrative staff,” said UH-Hilo Director of Athletics Patrick Guillen in a statement.

Before leaving for Hawai’i, Morita was the assistant athletic director and director of student services at USC. Student athletes at the school had named her the 2013 Athletics Staff Member of the Year.

Prior to that, Morita was an assistant to former USC coach Paul Hackett and an admissions advisor at the university’s Leventhal School of Accounting.

Morita’s hiring takes effect on Feb. 1.