As the prep baseball season approaches, Mid-Pacific Institute head coach Dunn Muramaru is gearing up for his 38th season at the helm of the Owls. But before turning the page to 2025, Muramaru recently celebrated a career milestone: his induction into the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Hall of Fame last month.
Muramaru, a five-time state champion, six-time runner-up, and 14-time ILH champion, becomes just the second Hawai‘i native to earn the prestigious honor, joining the legendary Les Murakami, the former University of Hawai‘i head coach.
“It was pretty surprising, actually,” Muramaru said of the honor. “I didn’t expect it, especially from the ABCA, which includes so many college coaches. It was unexpected, but it’s an honor—especially because the only other person from Hawai‘i to be inducted was Les Murakami. That’s pretty good company.”
Despite his accolades, Muramaru’s passion for coaching remains rooted in the fundamentals—watching young players develop and grow under his guidance.
“It’s still fun for me,” he said. “I get a kick out of watching kids get better and seeing if what I teach makes a difference. It’s about being successful every day, taking it one day at a time. All the awards are nice, but tomorrow’s a new day, and you’ve got to be successful again.”
In addition to his ABCA recognition, Muramaru is also a member of the National High School Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, further solidifying his legacy in the sport.
Mid-Pacific opened practice for the 2025 season on Monday, with games set to begin in March.