Kamalani Dung
School: Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
Career: Pro Softball Pitcher & Entrepreneur
From Wai‘anae to the world stage, Kamalani Dung turns adversity into advantage.
Raised on O‘ahu’s west side, Kamalani weathered family separation, periods of homelessness, and family health scares—yet every setback forged an unbreakable drive. Softball became her sanctuary and her launch‑pad, teaching her that there’s only up from rock bottom.
Dominating the mound from Little League to Division I, she earned a full ride to Fresno State, rose into the nation’s elite pitchers, then leveled‑up again at UC Berkeley—balancing Pac‑12 pressure with top‑tier academics. Guided by her mantra “Luck favors the prepared,” she grabbed opportunities others only dream about (including a national‑team roster spot she didn’t even know she’d secured).
Today, Kamalani is a professional pitcher and star of the Puerto Rican National Team, stacking international medals while building brands off the field. She channels her family’s entrepreneurial hustle into athlete partnerships, business strategy, and hands‑on mentorship for Hawai‘i’s next generation of players.
Her playbook is simple: prepare relentlessly, push past comfort zones, and bring your community with you. For anyone chasing big dreams, Kamalani Dung is proof that grit can take you anywhere.
