High School Surfing in Hawaiʻi: What's Next After Year One
What a first year! On May 1–2, 2026, Hawaiʻi held its first HHSAA State Surfing Championship at Hoʻokipa on Maui. 174 qualifiers came from more than 50 schools, and the event aired live on Spectrum OC16. Kahuku took the boys team title and Waialua took the girls. (See all the champions here.) Here's where the program goes from here.
The state meet moves around the islands
The HHSAA plans to rotate the State Championship through the leagues:
2027: ILH, on Oʻahu
2028: BIIF, on the Big Island
2029: OIA, on Oʻahu
2030: KIF, on Kauaʻi
The 2027 dates and venue haven't been announced yet. We'll post them as soon as the HHSAA does.
Funding: this year is covered
The program is funded by Act 141 (House Bill 133), introduced by Rep. Sean Quinlan and signed by Gov. Josh Green in 2025. It sets aside $685,870 for each of two state fiscal years. That money pays for coaches, transportation and league meet costs. The second year runs through June 30, 2027, so the spring 2027 season is covered. Funding after that will be up to the Legislature.
Growing pains to watch
Year one wasn't easy behind the scenes. Before the season, schools reported trouble hiring coaches, and families found safety-certification classes hard to get into. DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi also raised concerns about safety in ocean conditions nobody can control. Expect coaching and certification access to stay big topics in year two.
A college option at home
Hawaiʻi Pacific University announced in September that it will start the state's first college surf team in spring 2027. The Sharks will have eight competition spots:
Four men's shortboard
Two women's shortboard
One men's longboard
One women's longboard
The team plans to compete locally and at the 2027 NSSA Championships at Salt Creek in Dana Point, California. HPU says it will recruit locally, including outreach to Oʻahu high schools. A coach hasn't been named yet.
What families can do now
Book safety certifications early. Classes fill up.
Ask your athletic director about spring 2027 team plans and sign-up dates.
Follow the HHSAA surfing page and our calendar for meet dates as they're announced.
Year one built the lineup. Year two is about keeping it strong. See you on the beach!
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