Hawaii

With kitesurfing’s Olympic debut, this Hawaii sailor seeks to add gold to her resume

Published

1 year ago

July 17, 2024

With kitesurfing’s Olympic debut, this Hawaii sailor seeks to add gold to her resume

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Former University of Hawaii sailor Daniela Moroz is preparing to compete in her first Olympic Games in Paris.

The 23-year-old will be competing in kiteboarding — also known as kitesurfing — in its Olympic debut.

“It’s super exciting,” Moroz said.

“You just dream about it for so long. Growing up I always dreamed about going to the [Olympic] Games, as any young athlete does. When the possibility came around, I was ‘yeah, I just gotta go for it.’”

Moroz, who is six-time Formula Kite World Champion and a four-time U.S. Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year — is now looking to add Olympic medalist to her impressive resume.

The California native sailed two seasons for the Rainbow Wahine. Moroz’s athletic background is in kiting, meaning she didn’t have much experience with boat sailing prior to UH.

However, no challenge is too small for Moroz as she went on to make the UH team and competed in several competitions for the ‘Bows.

“The sailing team was so much fun,” Moroz said. “It was just one of those things where you start school in a new place, and you immediately have 15 best friends because you just bond over sailing.”

Following Paris, Moroz said she will return to UH to complete her marketing degree.

“Daniela is a very happy, likeable person and was a very positive influence on all of us during the time she spent with the UH Sailing team. She is driven to succeed, and we are all extremely excited to watch her bring home a medal for all of us and our country,” said UH Sailing Coach Andy Johnson.

Kiteboarders require the balance of a surfer, while simultaneously traveling at a similar speed as seen in windsurfing. Competitors must navigate through a buoy-marked course that requires both tactical and quick decision-making, optimizing their equipment to maximize both speed and efficiency.

Moroz, with her eyes set on gold, is one of 20 women competing for a medal. Kiteboarding is one of the 10 sailing events at the Games and kicks off Aug. 4 at the Marseille Marina.

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Related Topics:2024 Featured hawaii kiteboarding olympics Paris rainbow sailing Summer wahine

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Hawaii

From aviation to shipping, how Hawaii’s transportation sector is going green

Published

8 hours ago

December 17, 2025

Press Room

From aviation to shipping, how Hawaii’s transportation sector is going green

From cars, to busses, to the new rail and even up in the sky, transportation is what keeps us moving.

So how will Hawaii keep moving on cleaner pathways to meet our state’s clean energy goals?

KHON2’s Empowered franchise is committed to providing information to keep people informed on sustainability issues in Hawaii.

Joining KHON’s Gina Mangieri to talk about how we keep moving on cleaner pathways:

Kathleen Rooney, Ulupono Initiative Director of Transportation Policy and Programs
Roger Morton, Director of the Honolulu Department of Transportation Services
Nahelani Parsons, Hawaii Renewable Fuels Coalition

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Hawaii

Matsuzawa now a consensus All-American, Hawaii’s first | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Published

20 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Matsuzawa now a consensus All-American, Hawaii’s first | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

MARCO GARCIA / IMAGN IMAGES

UH kicker Kansei Matsuzawa reacted after making a game-winning field goal to beat the Stanford Cardinal at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex in the Warriors’ opener on Aug. 23.

Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa today became the University of Hawaii football program’s first consensus All-American.

Matsuzawa, 26, earned the distinction after being selected today to the American Football Coaches Association’s All-America first team.

The NCAA recognizes five All-America teams. A “consensus” All-American is selected to three of those organizations’ first teams. Matsuzawa previously was named to the All-America first teams by the Walter Camp Foundation and the Associated Press. The Sporting News and the Football Writers Association of America will announce their All-America teams this week.

“This is a result of my teammates and coaches,” Matsuzawa said, noting without them “I couldn’t have done this. I appreciate my family, and the state of Hawaii and Japan.”

Matsuzawa is a self-taught kicker from Chiba, Japan. The school-promoted “Tokyo Toe” converted his first 25 field-goal attempts this season to tie an FBS record for best start. The streak ended when he was wide right on a 30-yard attempt in the fourth quarter of the regular-season finale against Wyoming.

Last week, UH special teams coordinator Thomas Sheffield declared Matsuzawa as “the best kicker in the country. And I’ll stand on the tallest mountain and scream it from the tallest mountain until the cows come home.”

The Rainbow Warriors will play Cal in the Dec. 24 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl at the Ching Complex.

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More UH football coverage

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Hawaii

Hawaii-based company in national spotlight for cookie deliveries

Published

1 day ago

December 16, 2025

Press Room

Hawaii-based company in national spotlight for cookie deliveries

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A Hawaii-based company was in the national spotlight this weekend for its sweet service.

The Maui Cookie Lady was featured on Good Morning America as part of a segment highlighting the best holiday cookies to order online.

The Makawao-based bakery made the list, curated by Bon Appétit and Epicurious editor-in-chief Jamila Robinson, alongside other standout cookie companies from across the country that can deliver delicious treats straight to your doorstep.

The Maui Cookie Lady was founded by Mitzi Toro in 2012 as a thank you to Maui nurses who cared for Toro’s ill father.

Known for colossal-sized cookies in imaginative flavors, the company quickly became a favorite, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Ludacris among its many fans.

“I’m still taking it in,” said Toro. “I’m proud of our team and grateful for the support that has carried us from our island kitchen to a national audience. I hope this moment reminds people how special our Maui community truly is.”

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