Les Murakami Honored for College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction
Legendary Hawaiʻi baseball coach Les Murakami was celebrated Friday night at Les Murakami Stadium in recognition of his induction into the College Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
The pregame ceremony took place ahead of the Rainbow Warriors’ matchup, honoring Murakami’s remarkable career that spanned more than three decades from 1971 to 2000. During that time, he amassed 1,079 victories and transformed the University of Hawaiʻi into a national baseball presence.
Murakami is widely credited with building the program from the ground up and guiding the Rainbow Warriors to their lone College World Series appearance in 1980. His lasting impact is also cemented through the stadium that bears his name, a tribute established in 2002.
As part of the ceremony, Murakami was presented his Hall of Fame jacket in front of family, former players, and fans, with longtime colleagues and program legends — including Gene Stephenson and former UH ace Derek Tatsuno — standing alongside him for the moment.
The night served as a celebration of Murakami’s vision, leadership, and enduring legacy in Hawaiʻi baseball.
