Inaugural HHSAA Surfing State Champions Honored by Governor Green
The champions of the inaugural HHSAA Surfing State Championships were honored Thursday at the State Capitol, receiving special recognition from Governor Josh Green for their historic achievements.
The 2026 season marked the first official HHSAA state surfing championships, adding another sport to Hawai‘i's growing high school athletic landscape.
Waialua captured the girls team championship behind the efforts of Skai Suitt, Nina Guzman and Hanae Rose, while Kahuku claimed the boys team title with Merrick Mochkatel, Braedon Harris, Kielan Jardini, Micah Ah You, Kaua Okimoto, Tajh Saenz and Sawyer Vanstinkiste.
Individual state champions included Waialua's Skai Suitt (girls shortboard), Waialua's Hanae Rose (girls longboard), Kalani's Kaipoi Koa (girls bodyboard), Seabury Hall's Kahlil Pineres-Schooley (boys shortboard), Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Science's Alex Ranne (boys longboard) and Hawai‘i Academy of Arts & Science's Felix Barton (boys bodyboard).
The recognition ceremony celebrated the student-athletes who made history as the first-ever HHSAA surfing state champions and helped usher in a new era for high school surfing in Hawai‘i.
Photo courtesy: Office of the Governor
