CANOE ALLEY SPORTS RESULTS, EMPLOYEES OF THE MONTH & MORE
Danny Alvarez Takes the Helm: UH BeachBows Gear Up for Season Ahead
2012 to 2019 and again in 2023. “I’m a big University of Hawai‘i fan– football, basketball, baseball, women’s in- door volleyball... so the idea that I get to be the coach at the University of Hawai‘i, it’s crazy. It’s really amazing that this happened for me.” In addition to his time at UH, Alva- rez has shaped countless young athletes through his work at Outrigger Canoe Club, coaching both indoor and beach volleyball and ultimately taking on a leadership role in the Club’s volleyball program. He is now in his third year as Girls Beach Volleyball Club Director. Alvarez also spent time coaching AVP champion and OCC member Trevor Crabb, helping him and partner Theo Brun- ner as they competed for a spot in the 2024 Paris Olympics. For Alvarez, coaching is all about the athletes themselves–helping them grow, improve, and reach their potential. It’s that same passion that drove his work at OCC and with professional players. “The ath- letes at the University of Hawai‘i are tops in the world in a lot of cases, so being able to train with them has been one of my favorite parts,” he says. “To see them have success, gain confidence, and win or compete at a high level–it’s just really rewarding.” With the fall training season wrapped, Alvarez and the BeachBows have spent the
past few months building chemistry, gaining valuable experience, and testing themselves against top programs like USC, UCLA, and Florida State. Now, as the team looks toward the start of the regular season in February, Alvarez is channeling that momentum into gearing up for a strong opening stretch. Alvarez describes his coaching style as in- tentionally “old-school,” built on repetition, skill mastery, and developing players’ confi- dence. “An independent and free athlete is gonna play better,” he explains. “That’s my mantra. That’s how I approach coaching, and it’s been helpful for the athletes–and success- ful for me in coaching and teaching.” Despite his demanding schedule at UH, Alvarez continues to coach at OCC—a place that remains close to his heart. “I love Outrig- ger. Some of my best memories are up there playing the Daddy Haine or with friends at the end of the day as the sun goes down—pep- pering with my kids, with my wife,” he says. “I have a lot of aloha for the beach volleyball program and beach volleyball in general.” As the BeachBows gear up for a big spring, Alvarez is energized by the team’s potential and the opportunity ahead. “It’s a huge honor to be the head coach, and I’m looking forward to being a part of a winning and champion- ship-level team.”
By Rachel Wagenman | Photos by Aaron K. Yoshino
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earlier, maybe I would have been too excit- ed and forceful–maybe not as introspective about how to do this, and how to do it right.” With that experience, Alvarez says his approach to coaching has evolved over the years, shifting toward a deeper under- standing of athletes as individuals. “You want to give them the foundation, but that foundation should bring out the best in who they are–the best athlete they can be,” he says. “Our job is to bring out the best in the athlete–sometimes even more than they thought they might have.” Alvarez returns to his alma mater with three decades of beach volleyball coaching experience. He first served on the Rainbow Wahine program as an assistant coach from
AFTER 17 YEARS in the finance world, Outrigger Canoe Club member Danny Alvarez made a life-changing decision:
with the support of his wife and family, he stepped away to pursue coaching full time. More than a decade later, that leap has brought him full circle–back to the Uni- versity of Hawai‘i, where he now leads the Rainbow Wahine Beach Volleyball program he helped build during its inaugural season in 2012. His return has many in the volley- ball community saying it’s about time. “Everything happens for a reason. It was the right time for me,” Alvarez reflects. “I have the right temperament. I have the right experience now. If it came to me a little
Daddy Haine 2025 Results The 31st annual Thomas “Daddy” Haine 4-Man Draw Tournament delivered incredible volleyball despite occasional rain showers. Conditions held long enough for a thrilling double final, where Taylor Crabb’s team claimed the championship. Mahalo to the Haine family for honoring and carrying forward Daddy’s legacy through this beloved tournament.
Mana Wahine 2025 Results The Mana Wahine Tournament unfolded under sunny skies as thirteen teams competed throughout the day, culminating in an undefeated run. 1st Place: Jada Souza, Ava Hipa, Peri Green, Samantha Bartholow 2nd Place: Jacqueline Heler, Leilani Pasion, Bailey De Vos, Elizabeth Stoltzman 3rd Place: Melissa Zheng, Savai Kilaulani, Aubrey Painter, Kaitlyn Malaney
1st Place: Taylor Crabb, Carlos Guerrero, Zeo Meyer, Thomas Meyer, Zanya Meyer 2nd Place: Skyler Varga, Stefano Polletta, Noa Haine, Ryan Sears 3rd Place: Christian Thomas, Evan Larochelle, Kawika Shoji, Camille Lee, Abby Karich
24 AMA | January/february 2026
january/february 2026 | AMA 25
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