University of Hawai’i launches annual Vulcan Challenge to support student-athletes
The monthlong fundraising campaign, which runs through Oct. 23, supports scholarships, travel, training and other essential resources for the university's 12 NCAA Division II teams.
University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Athletics has launched its annual Vulcan Challenge to support student-athletes and help unlock more than $46,000 in matching gifts.
The monthlong fundraising campaign, which runs through Oct. 23, supports scholarships, travel, training and other essential resources for UH Hilo’s 12 NCAA Division II teams.
KTA Super Stores andTaniguchi ʻohana are matching the first $25,000 in gifts. The Vulcan Booster Club is matching the first $13,000 and the Hawaiʻi Rush Soccer Club Big Island is matching $5,000 to directly support women’s soccer. Guillen also will match the first $250 for each program, including sports medicine, for a total of $3,250.
To contribute, visit UH Foundation’s Vulcan Challenge.
The fundraising effort follows a record-setting year for UH Hilo Athletics, according to a news release.
At UH Hilo, 75 student-athletes were named to the Division II Athletics Directors Association Academic Achievement Awards list after maintaining cumulative grade point averages of 3.5 or higher. Across all 12 varsity programs, student-athletes achieved a 3.37 combined GPA during the 2025-26 academic year.
Beyond athletics and academics, Vulcan student-athletes also participate in volunteer service, youth outreach and community engagement across Hawaiʻi Island.
