Local News

Former pro Maika Usita returns to coach Haleakala Waldorf boys basketball

Former professional basketball player Maika Usita has returned to Maui to coach the Haleakala Waldorf School boys basketball team after spending more than a decade playing overseas.

Usita, a Maui native, is coming home with what school officials describe as a vision focused on character, resilience and developing young leaders. He will lead the school’s boys basketball program beginning with the upcoming season.

School officials said they were looking for a coach who could help grow the basketball program while emphasizing character, leadership and the school’s mission, and Usita stood out as the right fit.

“Coach Maika certainly has an incredible basketball background, but what stood out most to us was his heart,” Athletic Director Josefa Ciccarelli said. “His story is one of perseverance, humility and resilience. He understands what it feels like to be overlooked, and he has turned those experiences into a passion for investing in young people. From our very first conversations, it was clear that he wasn’t interested in simply coaching a season, he wanted to build something lasting. That vision is exactly what we’re working toward at Haleakala Waldorf.”

School officials said Usita wants players who wear the Haleakala Waldorf uniform to understand they are representing something bigger than themselves while growing as athletes, leaders, teammates and people of character.

“We are intentionally building an athletic department where every program reflects excellence, integrity, character, and community,” Ciccarelli said.

Ciccarelli added that the school hopes to continue expanding its athletic programs while giving students opportunities to develop through sports. She acknowledged the school continues to face challenges securing athletic facilities but said it is working to make the best use of its available resources.

“We know that vision will take time, resources and community support, but we believe our student-athletes deserve quality spaces where they can train, compete and grow,” Ciccarelli said. “We hope to continue investing not only in Haleakala Waldorf athletics, but also in creating more opportunities for young athletes throughout Maui.”

After more than a decade of professional basketball, Usita brings firsthand experience from playing under different coaches and in different countries. School officials said that experience will give players insight into the preparation, discipline and leadership needed to compete at a high level.

“His teams will learn what professionalism, preparation, resilience and accountability look like from someone who has lived those qualities every day,” Ciccarelli said.

The boys basketball season begins in November, but school officials said Usita has already begun building the program by emphasizing relationships, team culture and fundamentals. They said success will be measured not only by wins and losses but also by the habits, expectations and culture established year after year.

“More broadly, my vision is for Haleakala Waldorf Athletics to become known as a program where students are developed as complete individuals,” Ciccarelli said. “We want families to know that our coaches genuinely care about each athlete and are committed to helping them succeed both during their time here and long after they graduate.”

Ciccarelli said the long-term goal is for the athletic program to be a place where student-athletes discover who they are, build lifelong relationships and develop character they will carry with them beyond high school.

“Coach Maika is a wonderful example that success isn’t determined by where you begin but by your willingness to learn, persevere, and continue growing,” Ciccarelli said. “That’s an incredibly valuable lesson for every student, whether they pursue athletics beyond high school or not.”