For Dennis Jones, a little leg work paid off.

Thanks in part to Jones — who formerly worked in admissions — Holy Names University in the Oakland Hills of California has seen a growing number of students from Hawai'i enrolling at the private school established in 1868.

Jones, who is now the men's basketball coach, served as Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission and Hawai'i was one of the areas he was assigned to recruit prospective students.

"Over a six-year stretch, I went out (to Hawai'i) about 12 times, so I got to know counselors and coaches pretty well, got to meet with kids and their families face-to-face and watch them play," said Jones, who served as the women's coach prior to 2004.

Aaron Kanno, a senior guard for Holy Names and 2004 graduate of Mililani, was a freshman when Jones took over the men's program.

"The (growing) number of Hawai'i kids is because of our coach. He would go to all different schools all over the Island and once he got a couple local guys, the word spread that it's nice here and it's a small campus," Kanno said. "Since my freshman year until now, the people from Hawai'i has grown every year."

The school, which has about 1,200 students, including 500 in the undergraduate program, has not only seen a rise in students from the 50th State, but the trend has also resonated throughout the athletic department.

According to Jones, who is also the Director of Athletics, two years ago each of the school's 10 teams had a player from Hawai'i on its roster.

The men's basketball team features four players from Hawai'i. Aside from Kanno, there are his brother Nick (Mililani '08), Obie Woods ('Aiea '08 of 'Ewa Beach) and Robert Donley (Waipahu '07). All three are freshmen.

"Being away from home for a lot of Hawai'i kids, it can be a big step," Nick Kanno said. "Knowing other Hawai'i kids are here, it makes it a little easier."

The women's basketball team also has a strong local presence, with five players from Hawai'i listed on the roster. They are freshman Britni Ronolo (Moanalua '08), sophomores Danielle Lovell (Wai'anae '07) and Jamie-Leigh Ronolo (Moanalua '07), junior Larisa Nakasone (Roosevelt '05) and senior Chelsie Kadota (Roosevelt '05).

"It started with Larisa and Chelsie about four years ago, then we got another (player) the next year, then about four more the following year," said Steve Spencer, who took over when Jones became the men's coach. "I think last year, half our roster was from Hawai'i. Now I have (Hawai'i) students interested and kind of recruiting me."

The Redhawk women were 12-6 overall and 5-0 in the conference headed into last night's game against Dominican University. HNU, the defending California Pacific Conference champion, earned a No. 23 ranking in this week's NAIA Division II poll, its first appearance since 2005.

"We're doing really well right now. We've won eight in a row and 10 out of the last 11 games," Spencer said before last night's game. "We lost to some tough teams early, five of our six losses are to ranked team, but it has made us a lot better."

Kadota and Nakasone start at two of the guard spots, both Ronolo's are reserves while Lovell is redshirting this season.

"Britni just got cleared to play after a knee injury, she's played about three games for us, but she's been the first post off the bench and Jamie is our first guard off the bench and she's been playing great," Spencer said.

The men have struggled this season, holding a 3-16 record headed into last night's game.

"We're a young team, about half our roster is freshmen, so we show our youth I would say," Jones said. "We've lost a number of close games lately, but I think we'll finish strong with our younger guys gaining some experience from the season."

Aaron Kanno is the starter at point guard and has been a steady contributor for the Redhawks this season.

"He's shooting the ball well and basically runs the show for us as the point (guard)," Jones said. "He has four or five assists to every turnover he'll commit; he just does not turn the ball over."

Kanno, who graduates in May with a degree in business, scored a career-high 24 points in a loss to the Cal Maritime Thursday.

Both Jones and Spencer are hopeful the pipeline they have helped to establish will continue to bring them more Hawai'i players.

"Oh yes, absolutely," Jones said. "They're great kids, they have great work ethic. We absolutely plan on continuing that, no doubt."

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