Ray Akiona has stepped down as girls soccer coach at Mililani.
Akiona made the decision official on Friday, ending a 17-year run with the program that began with two seasons as an assistant before taking over as head coach for the last 15 years.
Under Akiona, the Trojans won nine OIA titles (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2017 and 2018) and earned one state Division I title (2015). The team also finished as state runners-up three times (2004, 2006 and 2010).
In addition, Akiona spent two seasons as an assistant under James Uson, in 2002 and 2003, two years in which Mililani finished as OIA champs and second place in the state.
“I resigned on Friday,” Akiona said by cellphone Wednesday. “I think it’s time that the team goes in a different direction. I think it will be a good change that the program needs. With a new approach, Mililani girls soccer will become even more exciting.
“It was a great ride and I don’t regret anything about it. I consider myself fortunate to step into a good program and it will continue to be a good program. It’s a good program because of the parents, the administration and the players, and it’s time for me to pass the baton.”
In 2018, Akiona’s Trojans made it all the way to the state semifinals, where they lost 1-0 to eventual Division I champion ‘Iolani.
Mililani athletic director Glenn Nitta announced Wednesday that he is in the process of finding a replacement for Akiona.
Nitta also announced that he is looking for a new girls basketball coach. Under Francis Dagan, the Trojans went 10-0 in the 2018 regular season and wound up losing a state Division I first-round game, 34-27 to Kamehameha-Maui. Dagan took over during the winter season for Patrick Basilio.
In other coaching news, Campbell is looking for a new girls volleyball coach, according to athletic director Sam Delos Reyes. Under Dwayne Mendoza in the fall of 2017, the Sabers went 4-6.
Also, Mid-Pacific athletic director Scott Wagner is looking for a new boys soccer coach. The Owls went 3-8-1 in ILH Division I under Kurt Kagawa last season.
Mililani girls soccer ALWAYS has a good team. Whoever gets the job will score an opportunity to get that team “over” and be a major threat at States every year.