Panita Thanatharn was new to the Islands when she landed her first career head coaching job last summer, taking over as the new leader of the University of Hawai‘i softball program following former coach Bob Coolen's retirement.
Thanatharn joined the Rainbow Wahine after 16 seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Long Beach State. Thanatharn and her inaugural staff, including assistant coaches Alyssa Gonzalez and Mariah Ramirez-Jones.
The Rainbow Wahine went through the wringer at the start of the 2026 season, including a 1-8 stretch during a two-week road trip in Southern California in February. Despite the losses, the 'Bows exited the gauntlet bettered by the experience.
This week, the 'Bows enter their final Big West regular season series at UC Riverside playing their best ball of the year — the Rainbow Wahine (26-18, 18-6 Big West) have won nine conference games in a row and six overall.
"I can't complain," Thanatharn told Aloha State Daily following the team's 3-2 walk-off victory over Cal Poly on Saturday. "We just try to get better every single day, and I think we've been doing it. It's been fun to get everybody in and have a lot of contributors come a long way since our first practice in the fall."
Despite the team's adjustment to a new staff, Thanatharn says she appreciates the way the Rainbow Wahine accepted her and her staff from the very beginning.
"For this group, not just me, but the coaching staff, we couldn't invest in a better group," Thanatharn said of the team's players. "They did everything the right way, their leadership, the way they set a new standard in everything they do, on and off the field, the way they carry themselves, the way they work, the way they compete in the community. Everything they do, they do it the right way. They were welcoming, they just earn the respect of their teammates, and they truly, truly enjoy each other."
The mutual trust between Hawai‘i's players and coaches have the 'Bows in an advantageous situation as far as the standings are concerned. If UH were to sweep UC Riverside (6-35, 4-20) this weekend, then the Rainbow Wahine would clinch the No. 2 seed in next week's Big West tournament in Fullerton, Calif.
The top two seeds in the conference tournament earn a first round bye. Although the Big West tournament debuted in 2025, Thanatharn has experience coaching in it from her previous stop at Long Beach. She and her staff understand the advantages that would come with the bye if the Rainbow Wahine were able to clinch it.
"Rest is always good, especially this point of the season," Thanatharn said. "rest is always good, and it gives us another day."
Because of the quick turnaround between the end of the regular season and conference tournament, the Rainbow Wahine will stay in Southern California. If the 'Bows were to win the conference tournament, the plan would be to stay on the Mainland for the NCAA Tournament. The Rainbow Wahine are hoping for a long trip and planning as such.
"We bought a one-way ticket there," Thanatharn said. "I already told [the team] we're gonna bring all of our uniforms. We have to do a lot of laundry, so just pack a lot of socks and undergarments. ... I just couldn't be more proud of this group, and we still have a lot of game left in us."
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
