The County of Maui’s Ho’okipa Beach Park hosted the first Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) state surfing championships on May 1 and 2, drawing over 1,000 spectators and 174 student surfers. HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun said the event will return to Ho’okipa in 2031 as part of a five-year rotation.
The event marked a milestone for high school sports in Hawaiʻi, as it was the first official state championship for surfing. The competition brought together boys and girls from across the islands to compete at what many described as an ideal venue.
Mayor Richard Bissen said at the event, “Mahalo to the HHSAA for holding the first state high school surfing championships on Maui. Big, big thanks goes to Kim Ball, who was the force and the energy behind asking for this tournament, the governor for supporting it, and approving it, and to all the supporters.”
Chris Butler, head coach of ‘Iolani School’s surfing team, praised both Ho’okipa Beach Park and Maui’s role in advancing high school surfing. “I love Ho’okipa,” Butler said. “This is a world-class venue. For high school surfing competitions, it’s just amazing. I can’t say enough about not only this event, but the MIL (Maui Interscholastic League) events are just world-class for high school surfing… I’ve been to a lot of surfing competitions… this is tops. Maui killed it.”
Kahlil Pineres-Schooley from Seabury Hall won boys shortboard champion honors and commented on how well organized everything was: “There were waves across the entire competition… It’s crazy how it is set up and everything is so dialed in: the judges, staff… It’s really special.”
Kim Ball reflected on decades of work leading up to this moment: “Unbelievable; it’s beyond my wildest expectations and dreams,” Ball said. “We knew it was a big thing to organize… And we got amazing surf.” HHSAA coordinator Davin Kazama also thanked county officials for their support with both logistics and access: “Maui County was so gracious to even give us a practice day on Thursday . . . they closed down the beach park for us,” Kazama said.
With its success recognized by organizers and participants alike—many calling Ho’okipa a true ‘surf stadium’—the championship signals continued growth ahead for youth competitive surfing in Hawaiʻi.
