An early gift arrived for the rebuilding Rainbow Wahine basketball team.

Former Punahou standout and two-time state Player of the Year Shawna Kuehu signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Hawai'i yesterday.

Kuehu, who didn't play collegiately this past year, was heavily recruited during her playing career at Punahou, where she helped the Buffanblu win the girls state basketball titles in 2005, 2006 and 2008.

"It's great timing she was here," said UH coach Dana Takahara-Dias said. "It's a gift to our program. It's very exciting we're signing a recruit and getting the best of the best to stay here. She's a good fit for our program to rebuild."

Kuehu is the first signee for the upcoming season for Takahara-Dias, who was hired May 28. Both enter a program that went 8-23 this past season and last had a winning record in 2006-07 (15-14).

"It feels good to sign with UH," Kuehu said in a UH release. "I'm excited to get back on the court. I'm also happy to be Coach Dana's first recruit."

Several years ago, Takahara-Dias, along with Mayor Mufi Hannemann, coached Kuehu for Team Aloha, a local all-star high school team that played against top-caliber competition on the Mainland.

"We made contact with her as soon as events transpired," Takahara-Dias said. "We found out she was interested in the program, the school, and that's how it all began."

Kuehu signed a letter of intent to play at Cal, but never enrolled there last fall. She's been training during the past year and is still in basketball shape.

"She wanted to go back to school, we're fortunate she decided to be a part of our program," Takahara-Dias said.

Kuehu will see a very familiar face when she takes the court as a Rainbow Wahine. Twin sister Shaena-Lyn, also a Punahou standout, currently plays at Western Athletic Conference opponent Idaho, where she earned All-WAC Freshman Team honors this year.

Kuehu fills one of three scholarships that the Rainbow Wahine have available.