Historic Conclusion to the Inaugural King's Hawaiian Football Festival: A Celebration of Unity and Sport in Hilo
WAILUKU, MAUI — The Hawaiian Football Federation proudly concludes the inaugural King’s Hawaiian Football Festival in Hilo, celebrating a landmark event in Hawaiian sports history. Held from July 7-19, in partnership with the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, this festival marked the official debut of our 20 Nā Kāne (U20 Men’s) and 20 Nā Wāhine (U20 Women’s) National Teams, comprised of elite players from across Hawai‘i and the diaspora.
The festival featured competitive matches between our Hawaiian National Teams and the indigenous teams of Māori Football Aotearoa, fostering not only athletic excellence but also deep cultural connections between the Aotearoa Māori and Kānaka people.
The event was graciously supported by King’s Hawaiian and ‘ohana – held in honor of Robert R. Taira, King’s Hawaiian’s founder – with strong support from Minit Stop, ‘Ohana Fuels, KTA Super Stores, O.K. Farms, Waiakea Water, and Shaka Tea, whose collective commitment to the festival significantly enhanced the quality and overall impact of the event. The partnership highlighted shared values and reinforced the importance of identity and pride in
advancing the well-being of Hawaiians and Aotearoa Māori, the indigenous people of New Zealand.
On July 14, the delegations signed a historic treaty at Hale‘ōlelo, Ka Haka ‘Ula O Ke‘elikōlani College of Hawaiian Language, at the University of Hawai‘i – Hilo. The treaty emphasizes the common ancestry, language, culture, and history of the Māori and Hawaiian people, underscoring the importance of self-determination, international solidarity, and cultural preservation in overcoming the systematic barriers faced by both communities. It affirms the organizations’ commitment to collaborate in advancing global football and sports justice, while promoting educational and professional advancement, international championships, and intercultural exchange. Instead of advocating for female representation, the treaty acknowledges the inherent mana (power) of women, and their crucial role in defining Hawaiian and Māori societies. Through this treaty, both delegations pledge to organize international tournaments and events that reflect our collective values and aspirations, while reinforcing our bonds as members of the Polynesian Football Family.
Tap to View the Treaty
TRISHA KAPUAʻALA, HAWAIIAN FOOTBALL CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND GENERAL SECRETARY
“Like every north-east district, Hilo shows us what it looks like when a community is waiwai nui (rich) – abundant in water, cultural, and communal resources, naturally rich, steeped in aloha. The people of Hilo, UH Hilo, and the Hawai‘i Island soccer community showed up, abundant in aloha, and hosted our Aotearoa Māori well.”
KEKOA L. HARMAN, PH.D., ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF KA HAKA ʻULA I KEʻELIKOLANI COLLEGE OF HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE, UH HILI AND KAHU PAPAHANA OF HUI KANAKA PŌWĀWAE
“The competitive play between our ʻĀlapa and the Aoteroa Māori in Hawaiʻi and the signing of the treaty helped to solidify this deep commitment we have to
being represented in this space of football, and sustaining and growing our national pride – in our language and culture. It really meant a lot to have this event on our kulāiwi, in our homeland. ”
We extend our deepest Aloha to all participants, partners, and supporters, and especially to King’s Hawaiian for their belief in Hawaiian Football’s vision. Together, we are creating a lasting impact on the lives of Native Hawaiians and our communities.
ABOUT THE FEDERATION
Founded in 1975, Hawaiian Football (Hui Kanaka Pōwāwae) is a Maui-based nonprofit organization committed to representing Hawaiians on the global football stage. Guided by the values of pono (righteousness), aloha ‘āina (love of country), and aloha kānaka (love for humanity), the Federation’s mission is to strengthen the overall well-being and resilience of Native Hawaiians for generations through the global platform of football. Its vision is to cultivate a strong sporting nation rooted in Hawaiian national character and identity, with its teams serving as modern symbols of culture, unity, and pride.
Hawaiian Football’s National Teams—Nā ‘Ālapa Hawai‘i—provide a powerful platform for Hawaiian athletes to showcase their talents and represent the Hawaiian State with distinction. Through its programs, the Federation integrates Hawaiian language, history, and cultural education, using football as a vehicle for global engagement and the collective expression of national identity.
KU‘I KA LONO
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