Having begun skating at age five, Hunka was coached from the age of eight by Carol Heiss Jenkins and Glyn Watts in Cleveland, Ohio. He won the U.S. national novice title in February 1990. Two years later, he became the U.S. national junior champion. He finished in the top ten at three World Junior Championships – 1991 (Budapest), 1992 (Hull, Quebec), and 1993 (Seoul).