Gov. Josh Green has officially announced the launch of the Hawaiʻi State Surfing Championships, positioning Hawai‘i as the first state to recognize surfing as an interscholastic state championship sport. The historic declaration was revealed alongside notables such as Rep. Sean Quinlan and Olympic gold medalist Carissa Moore, signaling an important recognition of the sport's cultural roots and its future in high school athletics. According to a news release from the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi, the inaugural event is slated for May 1–2, 2026, fittingly at Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui, a locale with deep ties to the sport.
This groundbreaking step is funded through Act 141, a piece of legislation signed earlier this year by Governor Green. The bill not only allocates the necessary financial support for the championship but also firmly places surfing on the same playing field as other high school sports in the state. "This historic milestone celebrates our culture, creates new opportunities for our keiki and ensures that the next generation of surfers can compete on the same stage as other student athletes across the state," Governor Green said in a statement released by the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi. Indeed, the feeling that surf's up for high school athletics is palpable, especially considering the announcement follows the introduction of girls flag football to the state's repertoire.
The sentiment was echoed by none other than Carissa Moore, who despite her global surfing successes, felt the pang of not having this during her high school days. "In a very fast-paced world, it will encourage the next generation to slow down and connect with something bigger than themselves. That, to me, is truly crucial to living a life of joy and purpose. It's not about competing, it's about growing, building confidence and strengthening our community," Moore told the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi, attesting to surfing's ability to shape character and community alike.
It was not only state officials and world champions feeling the swell of satisfaction. Kim Ball, the MIL Surfing co-coordinator, expressed a mix of enthusiasm and relief with the new initiative, given that Maui high schools have competed unofficially for the better part of three decades. "The county of Maui and our MIL surf crew will do all we can to make it a memorable event," Ball said, as reported by the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi. With Act 141 garnering "a ton of public support," the straight aim now is to develop homegrown talent and, importantly, ensure access to surfing for students who might otherwise miss the wave.
Setting the stage for a generation of surfers, Hawaiʻi's commitment is multi-faceted—championing athletic ambitions while honoring a cultural heritage that continues to shape the identity of the islands. As for the students, Kylie Sato, a senior from Leilehua High School Girls Surf Team, perfectly encapsulated the prevailing mood in an interview with the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi: "I woke up this morning just feeling so sentimental and grateful that it’s finally happening," she said. "Mom, we did it." That collective sense of achievement, anchored in culture and community, is what Hawaiʻi seems to be riding on, and beginning in 2026, the championship shores of Maui will birth not just waves, but future champions too.
