The Honua Finals, branded as the "World Cup of Interscholastic Surfing," is all set to return for its second competition after debuting in 2024.
High school surfing teams from around the world converged at Ala Moana Bowls in 2024 and are set to do so again in 2025. Two days of competition will be held next week in a four-day holding period that runs from July 31-Aug. 3.
On Friday, a luncheon was held at Duke's in Waikīkī to commemorate the second year of the tournament.
Davin Kazama, who organized the Honua Finals along with his daughters Sunny and Maia, was originally motivated to do for a variety of reasons. One of the objectives included giving surfing the platform to become an official high school sport. On July 16, the HHSAA officially sanctioned surfing, with state championships set for Spring 2026.
"It's been super fulfilling. We wanted to help usher in and unify the community voice for surfing to become a high school sport and that happened, and that's incredible. I'm so happy about that," Davin Kazama told Aloha State Daily on Friday. "Another one of the goals was to bring international competition and talent to Hawai‘i, because it's very expensive for Hawaii kids to go out and compete. So for that all to come to fruition, I'm just very happy for the kids, and just so thankful to our community."
Schools from O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, the Big Island, California, Japan and New Zealand will be among the 25 schools competing in the 2025 Honua Finals.
"It's going to be high-end talent, high-end competition, but we're really here to celebrate how surfing connects us all. Last year's event, everybody made great connections, built relationships. When they go to New Zealand, when they go to California, they have friends they can surf with," Davin Kazama says. "It's really fun. We're really trying to bring everyone together, make memories and make friends."
Although surfing recently became a high school sport in Hawai‘i, the Honua Finals are here to stay. Davin Kazama says teams from Canada and Japan are already making plans to compete in the 2026 edition.
"I'm really excited for the opening ceremonies, because that's a great time where the surfers can really start intermingling with each other, meeting each other, and getting excited for the contest," Sunny Kazama said. "And then, of course, the contest days, we're gonna have good waves on the way. I'm just really stoked to just see all of the kids get in the water, have fun and meet new people. We have so many teams from all over, and I think it's a great way to bring the surf community together."
"I'm just excited to see everyone all together, people from all over the world and all different places," added Maia Kazama. "I think it's super cool that even though we're a small island, everyone's gathered here."
Friday's luncheon also served as an opportunity for organizers to thank tournament sponsors, which includes Nike Swim, as well as a bevy of local companies and organizations.
"It's a lot of work, but it's very uplifting," Davin Kazama said. "We couldn't do anything without our team and our community. Just amazing, amazing support. Teamwork makes the dream work, and that's never been more true than with this contest."
High schools competing in the 2025 Honua Finals:
King Kekaulike High School (Maui)
Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Sciences (Big Island)
Hosho High School (Japan)
‘Iolani (O‘ahu)
Island School (Kaua‘i)
Kahuku High School (O‘ahu)
Kaiser High School (O‘ahu)
Kalani High School (O‘ahu)
Kamehameha (O‘ahu)
Kapa‘a High School (Kaua‘i)
Kaua‘i High School (Kaua‘i)
Ke Kula ‘o Samuel M. Kamakau (‘Oahu)
Kīhei Charter School (Maui)
Kugenuma High School (Japan)
Le Jardin Academy (O‘ahu)
Leilehua High School (O‘ahu)
Maui Christian Academy (Maui)
Maui Preparatory Academy (Maui)
Mito Shogyou High School (Japan)
Pacific Buddhist Academy (O‘ahu)
Punahou School (O‘ahu)
Seabury Hall (Maui)
Waialua High School (O‘ahu)
Wai‘anae High School (O‘ahu)
Whangamata Area School (New Zealand)
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
