Yukumoto named interim Vulcans baseball coach

University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Athletics recently named Garett Yukumoto as interim Vulcans baseball coach for the upcoming 2026 season.

Yukumoto, a 1993 graduate of Hawai‘i Pacific University, has been associate head coach since 2019 after serving 13 seasons from 2006-18 as head coach at his alma mater, finishing with a 362-272-4 record and as all-time wins leader for the Sharks.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of interim head baseball coach at the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo,” said Yukumoto in a university announcement about his appointment. “We have been putting in significant work this fall, and I am eager to continue building on that progress. I can’t wait to get on the field with this group and get our first games started in a few months. Go Vulcans!”

He thanked University of Hawai‘i at Hilo Athletics Director Patrick Guillen for giving him the opportunity to lead the Vulcans. Yukumoto also thanked retiring head coach Kallen Miyataki for his guidance, mentorship and dedication to the Vulcans baseball program.

“He has laid a strong foundation, and I am grateful for the standard he set,” the new interim coach said.

Yukumoto had nine consecutive winning campaigns from 2008-16 at Hawai‘i Pacific University, highlighted by a Pacific West Conference Championship in 2010.

The Sharks finished as the NCAA West Regional runner-up that season and Yukumoto was voted the conference’s Coach of the Year.

The Yukumoto-led Sharks/Sea Warriors posted an 85-35-2 record against University of Hawai‘i at Hilo.

“We are fortunate to have someone on staff who can take over the reins mid-year with the impressive qualifications and experience as coach Garett Yukumoto,” said Guillen in the university release.

He added that the new interim head coach was a successful head coach in the PacWest Conference for many years at Hawai‘i Pacific and has been a key contributor on the Vulcans staff for the past 7 years.

“I am confident he will lead our young men in their development on and off the field and continue to make our community proud of our storied baseball program,” Guillen said.

Long-time Vulcans head coach Miyataki is set to retire from his position at the end of the current calendar year after 12 seasons from 2014-25 as the program’s second-ever head coach — finishing with a 192-306-1 record.

“We are grateful to coach Miyataki for his years of service here at [University of Hawai‘i at Hilo], where he wore many hats during his tenure,” Guillen said. “He has impacted thousands of lives for the better for his genuine care and concern for the whole person.”

The Vulcans athletics director continued, saying Miyataki has been a mainstay in University of Hawai‘i at Hilo athletics; words cannot express how thankful and grateful the university is for his hard work and dedication to the baseball program.

“We wish him the very best as he begins this next chapter of his life,” Guillen said.

Yukumoto officially begins his interim head coach duties Jan. 5, 2026.

COACH YUKS NOTES

• Hawai‘i Pacific University All-time wins leader (362 career wins).
• 2010 PacWest Conference champion.
• 2010 PacWest Conference Coach of the Year.
• PacWest Conference Awards: 55 All-PacWest Team selections, Baseball Scholar-Athlete (2011), Player of the Year (2008, 2011), Pitcher of the Year (2008, 2010, 2017), Newcomer of the Year (2009, 2010, 2013), Freshman of the Year (2009, 2010, 2011).
• MLB Draft: Kaimi Mead (Round 18, 2008), Blake Amaral (Round 40, 2012), Kale Sumner (Round 32, 2013), Brandon Bonilla (Round 13, 2016), Rico Garcia (Round 30, 2016), Matthew Gunter (Round 33, 2017).
• Played outfield at Portland State University (1989-91) and Hawai‘i Pacific University (1992-93).
• 1988 graduate of ‘Aiea High School on O‘ahu.
• Served in school administrator roles at Leilehua High School, Wahiawā Community School and ‘Iliahi Elementary School in Central O‘ahu.