Hawaiian Football Showcase of Talents Featuring Top Boys and Girls to be Held on Maui
WAILUKU, MAUI – Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae will host the first annual Hawaiian Football Showcase of Talents from July 9-11 and 16-18 – featuring the islands’ top boys and girls selected from its Ke Kikowaena Lauaki (Talent Centers) being conducted on Maui and Hawai‘i Island. The inaugural player showcase tournament will be held at Keōpūolani Regional Park in Wailuku, Maui, where college,
professional, and national team staff will be present – scouting players for potential inclusion in their respective programs.
Three 17 Boys teams and three 17 Girls teams – featuring top talents from Maui, Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, and Hawai‘i Island – will compete over the course of three days each, in a single round-robin format. Every match will be filmed and available on-demand after the conclusion of the overall event.
Player identification began in November 2020 and will conclude in June 2021. Technical Director, Ian Mork, and Lead Trainer, Cristiano Scapolo – who have been charged to lead the program – will be selecting the top 18-22 players from each island – born in 2004, 2005, and 2006 – to showcase and represent their home island.
In addition to competition on the field, Hawaiian Football festivities will include presentations by guest speakers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Talent Center identification and training events have been limited to Maui and Hawai‘i Island. The first opportunity for players from O‘ahu and Kaua‘i to be scouted for inclusion will be at the Hawai‘i State Cup – hosted by Kanaka Pōwāwae cooperating partners, the Hawaii Soccer Federation and Major Island Soccer Organization, Junior League.
“It is incredibly humbling to see the vision of Kanaka Pōwāwae come to life. To know that we are well on our way to forming Hawaiian National Teams — to compete against other national teams — while also helping non-aboriginal players realize their full potential and possible future in the game is extremely important and fulfilling.”
Consistent with HKP’s philosophy that player identification should be free, there is no cost to be scouted or to participate in Ke Kikowaena Lauaki or the Showcase of Talents event – excluding travel.
ABOUT KE KIKOWAENA LAUAKI
Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae’s Ke Kikowaena Lauaki (Talent Center) program was created to elevate the level of football and futsal throughout the islands; and to identify, develop, and showcase top Hawai‘i and Hawaiian players to collegiate, professional, and national team programs.