WAIMEA — A celebration of the top Hawaii Preparatory Academy senior athletes was held early last week in Waimea, as five soon-to-be graduates inked their letters of intent to their future collegiate programs.
Headlining the group was track and field phenom Elaina Head, who will join Babson College’s track and field program this fall. Babson is an NCAA Division III program located in Wellesley, Mass.
For Head, the school’s close community on and off the track played a major role in her decision.
“I chose Babson College for its amazing business program and its close-knit community,” Head told West Hawaii Today. “I wanted to go to a college that was on the smaller side, and their track and field team is very close to one another.”
Over the past four years with Ka Makani, Head has specialized in a variety of field events, including triple jump, high jump, discus throw and long jump. Head finished high school with 73 total individual wins across her events, including 23 wins in 2025 alone. She additionally broke a stadium record in the high jump at the BIIF Championships on May 3, where she launched 1.70 meters (5-07.00). Head also placed fifth in the high jump (5-03.00) and sixth in the triple jump (34-11.50) at states last weekend.
Now stepping on to the collegiate stage, Head believes she has the right mindset to excel at the next level.
I believe I will be able to bring my strong and competitive spirit, in addition to my ability to compete at the next level that is required of me for collegiate track,” she said. “I also hope that I will be able to bring my leadership and willingness to learn and grow to the team as well.”
Head also played volleyball, often cited as one of the leaders on the squad. She helped HPA win multiple BIIF Division II titles and reach multiple state tournament appearances. Head thanked the school for helping her reach the point she is at today.
“HPA has helped to mould me into the athlete I am through every opportunity to work with other amazing athletes who show true dedication to their sports,” she said. “By attending HPA, I was able to go to the HHSAA meets all four years of high school. My marks got me to the competitions, but my school backed me up.”
Head also pointed to the guidance of her coaches and parents as a catalyst in becoming one of the top athletes in Hawaii.
“I would really like to thank all of the coaches I have had over the year — Coach Melissa, Coach Jim, Coach Jed, Coach Meagan, Coach Ka‘ai and Coach Jacob — my dad,” Head said. “I would also like to thank my parents — Jolene and Jacob Head — for their ever consistent support and guidance throughout my life, and especially in my sports endeavors.
“Next, I would like to thank my coach at Babson College for recruiting me and giving me the opportunity to pursue the sport I love at this next level. I am excited for what is to come and for how far I will be able to go beside my team.”
Ka Makani baseball star Nishiki Iwai also signed, planning to play baseball for Hawaii Pacific University next year. Iwai was a central contributor in the red and white’s 8-6 season, leading the team in hits, RBI, home runs, innings pitched, wins and strikeouts. A notable pitching performance from the senior came on Feb. 19 against Honoka‘a, when Iwai struck out 12 batters.
Maile Imonen signed with Chapman University in Orange, Calif., to play water polo for the Panthers. Imonen logged 129 goals across her four years for the red and white, including 31 in her senior season. She posted a career-high 53 goals in her junior season in 2024. Imonen helped HPA win the BIIF title this past spring with a 10-2 league record, while also reaching the state tournament.
Rounding out the rest of the signees were volleyball stars Margot Lewis and Mya Pinkert. Lewis, who led the team in aces during her senior season, signed with Denison University in Granville, Ohio. Pinkert, who led HPA in digs and kills, will play for Concordia University in Irvine, Calif. Pinkert led Ka Makani with 11 kills in her final match with the red and white against Kapa‘a in the consolation bracket of the DII state tournament.
