By Kai Ioh and KE TEAM Hawaii
Kai Ioh is a luxury real estate advisor based in Kona, Hawai‘i, specializing in second home, resort, and ultra-high-net-worth markets across the Big Island.
Key Takeaways
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Hawaiʻi has become the first U.S. state to sanction high school surfing as an official interscholastic sport.
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Beginning spring 2026, student-athletes across all islands — including Hawaiʻi Island — will compete for state titles.
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This decision reflects surfing’s deep cultural roots and daily lifestyle relevance in Kona and across the Big Island.
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For families considering relocating or purchasing a second home, it signals how integrated ocean life is within Hawaiʻi’s educational and community systems.
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Unlike many mainland markets where surfing remains recreational, in Hawaiʻi it is institutional, generational, and identity-defining.
photo by Mike Cerrone
What Changed: Hawaiʻi Sanctions High School Surfing
During the announcements, something new caught everyone’s attention.
Surfing is now officially recognized as a high school sport.
The surfing team was present, and one of the coaches is our older daughter’s longtime classmate. He has been surfing since he was a child. Seeing him now as a coach for a high school surf team felt meaningful. It was a full-circle moment that reflects how deeply rooted surfing is in this community.
There is another layer to this story. I also know Mike, a water photographer who regularly photographs the Kealakehe High School surf coaches and the local surf community. All the images accompanying this blog are Mike’s work. I will share his contact information below. Maybe you can ask him to take your ocean photos or purchase one his works. They are all amazing.
The Official Details
In 2026, Hawaiʻi will crown its first official state high school surfing champions.
The Hawaii High School Athletic Association has approved surfing as a sanctioned interscholastic sport. The inaugural state championship will take place May 1–2, 2026 at Hoʻokipa Beach Park, hosted by the Maui Interscholastic League.
photo by Mike Cerrone
All five leagues will participate:
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Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA)
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Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH)
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Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF)
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Maui Interscholastic League (MIL)
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Kauai Interscholastic Federation (KIF)
Competition will include:
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Shortboard
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Longboard
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Bodyboard
Funding was secured through Act 141, allocating state resources to support program development in public schools.
photo by Mike Cerrone
Surfing has existed at the club level for years, especially on Maui. What is new is statewide recognition and the opportunity for students to compete for an official state title.
For Hawaiʻi, this is not symbolic. It is structural.
Why This Is Different From Adding Any Other Sport
In Hawaiʻi, the birthplace of surfing, this decision carries weight.
Surfing is not simply an extracurricular activity. It is culture and history intertwined. In Hawaii, ocean conditions are discussed like weather reports. Wave forecasts matter. Wind direction shapes the day.
By formally recognizing surfing, the state acknowledges what has long been true: the ocean is central to identity.
Unlike many mainland sports programs that rely on fields, gyms, and facilities, surfing depends entirely on natural conditions. It requires environmental awareness, patience, and humility.
My Own Surfing Story
I can’t surf, BUT the main reason I first visited the Big Island 26 years ago was surfing.
At the time, I was working in Japan as a professional translator. I translated several surfing magazines as my brother-in-law was a professional bodyboarder. I learned about the Big Island through those pages. Eventually, I decided to see it in person in 2000. The five-day trip to Kona turned into a decision to move.
photo by Mike Cerrone
One of the things I wanted to do was surf.
I was a certified swimmer when I was younger, so I assumed I would manage…. I was wrong.
Unlike Waikīkī’s sandy bottom, many of Kona’s surf spots are reef. It is really tricky. You fight currents, wind, and shifting swells just to get into position. Waves feel much larger when you are floating on your stomach, waiting for a set.
photo by Mike Cerrone
One day, a friend took me out to a state park surf point when other spots were closed due to high surf. That was the most intimidating experience I have had in the ocean. I have never been so relieved as when I walked barefoot across a lava field back to my car after finally making it to shore.
After that, I shifted my leisure focus to golf. It is, in many ways, safer.
Still, I respect surfers deeply. I have tried a few times again in recent years. It remains physically and mentally challenging. One has to commit to surfing and its lifestyle. I guess I am more of a golf guy….
Surfing demands humility.
What This Means for Big Island Families
Kelia Gallina, youngest to ever compete in a world tour event. photo by Mike Cerrone
Surfing requires time in the water and an understanding of conditions. It cannot be rushed.
Kealakehe High School will not accept beginners onto the team. Foundational skills are learned through ʻohana, friends, and community long before a student represents their school.
That says something important.
This is not a symbolic program. It reflects performance, discipline, and respect for the ocean.
Lifestyle here is not theoretical. It is structured into daily life and now into formal education.
Big Island night sky by Mike Cerrone
How This Reflects Big Island Lifestyle
In real estate, we often speak about “lifestyle.”
In Kona and along the Kohala Coast, lifestyle is tangible:
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Ocean access
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Trade winds
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Reef breaks
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Outdoor living year-round
Surfing is one visible expression of that.
Kona Wave photo by Mike Cerrone
One of my clients moved from New York City at age 60 and decided to learn surfing after relocating. Today, after ten years, he paddles out four times a week. His determination to immerse himself in the lifestyle is something I respect deeply.
I do not surf, but the ocean shapes my rhythm. I see the ocean from my house every day, just like many of us who live in Kona. The morning starts from the ocean, and I end the day looking at the ocean.
Living where surfing is part of the school system reminds me that the ocean is not background scenery. It is central to life here. Regardless of whether you surf or not.
All photos by Mike Cerrone. Mahalo, Mike!
Mike Cerrone cerrone_photo
Check out his work on Instagram @cerrone_photo
Frequently Asked Questions
Is surfing now an official high school sport in Hawaiʻi?
Yes. Beginning spring 2026, surfing is sanctioned by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association and will include official state championships.
Where will the first state championship be held?
The inaugural championship will take place at Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui.
Which islands are participating?
All five leagues statewide: OIA, ILH, BIIF, MIL, and KIF.
What disciplines are included in competition?
Shortboard, longboard, and bodyboard divisions for boys and girls.
Was surfing previously available in schools?
Yes, primarily at the club level. Maui schools in particular have operated structured surf programs for nearly two decades.
Why is this significant for Big Island families?
It integrates surfing into the official school system, reinforcing ocean-based lifestyle as part of education and youth development.
Is surfing beginner-friendly at the high school level?
Generally, no. Many programs expect students to already possess ocean experience and wave knowledge developed through family and community involvement.
How does this differ from mainland sports programs?
Unlike facility-based sports common on the mainland, surfing relies on natural ocean conditions, environmental awareness, and local break knowledge.
Does this impact relocation decisions?
For some families, yes. Lifestyle and educational alignment are important considerations when purchasing a second home or relocating to Kona or the Kohala Coast.