Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Athletic Hall of Honor Nominations 2025

 

Induction into the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Athletic Hall of Honor is the highest honor bestowed by the Kamehameha Schools Kapālama Athletic Department, honoring Warrior alumni & coaches whose accomplishments have brought prestige and honor to Kamehameha Schools. Kamehameha Schools Kapālama welcomes Hall of Honor nominations from our community of alumni, employees, and friends. All nominees to the Hall of Honor must be individuals of outstanding quality, high moral character, fine leadership qualities, and must be held in high esteem by their colleagues, coaches, and athletes. All nominations must fit the criteria of one of the two categories below. 

 

Michelle “Bud” Nagamine and Pedro “Pete” Velasco Named Honorees for the

2025 Kamehameha Kapalama Athletic Hall of Honor

 

The Kamehameha-Kapālama Athletic Hall of Honor proudly announces the 2025 inductees Michele “Bud” Nagamine KSK ’86 & Pedro “Pete” Velasco KSK ’55. These two outstanding individuals have not only represented Kamehameha with excellence but have also left a lasting legacy on the local, national, and international athletic stage.

Michele “Bud” Nagamine (KSK ’86)
A standout 4-year Varsity Soccer player at Kamehameha, Michele went on to play at Santa Clara University, leading her team as captain to the NCAA Final Four her senior year. Returning home, she became one of Hawaiʻi’s most successful and respected coaches—leading Kamehameha’s Varsity Girls Soccer team to 6 ILH titles and 5 HHSAA Championships, earning multiple Coach of the Year honors including NSCAA National High School Coach of the Year in 2007.

Her collegiate coaching career includes time at Hawaiʻi Pacific University and currently as Head Coach of the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Wahine Soccer program, where she was named Big West Coach of the Year in 2019. Michele also continues to develop youth through her work with Leahi Soccer Club and the Hawai‘i Youth Soccer Association.

 

Pedro “Pete” Velasco (KSK ’55)
From Papakōlea to the world stage, Pete Velasco’s volleyball legacy is unmatched. A two-time U.S. Olympian (Tokyo 1964 & Mexico City 1968) and team captain in 1964, Pete earned 10 consecutive First Team All-American selections, was named National Tournament MVP in 1965, and helped Team USA earn Gold at the 1967 Pan American Games.

He was later named a USVBA All-Time Great Player, received the Outstanding College Athlete of America Award, and became the first volleyball player inducted into the Hawaiʻi Sports Hall of Fame in 1978. Pete also made lasting contributions as a coach, teacher, and AAU Junior Olympic Development Chair.

These two trailblazers were selected from a pool of exceptional nominees, and we are excited to honor them for their outstanding achievements and unwavering commitment to excellence.

 

We will celebrate their legacy at our annual Dinner of Champions on Monday, May 19th.