Ryan Hirata, who helped ‘Iolani win a state basketball championship and later went on to play basketball at Chaminade University, has been named the new Mid-Pacific boys basketball coach.

Hirata, 27, has been a coach in the ‘Iolani intermediate, JV and varsity system since 2007.

“It’s pretty neat how fast the word spread. Hawaii’s so small and all the support from everybody, including the people at ‘Iolani,” Hirata said. “This is the first time I’ve been through a varsity coaching job process. It makes me appreciate what varsity coaches do every year.”