Celebrating the 18th Annual Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships
At KaiAloha Supply, we believe that ocean love is for everyone. This past week, our Oahu team had the immense privilege of joining AccesSurf Hawaii for the 18th Annual Hawaii Adaptive Surfing Championships (HASC) at Waikīkī. It was a week that transcended competition, celebrating the elite skill and unshakeable spirit of the international adaptive surfing community.
A Global Gathering & Sacred Blessing
The event officially commenced on May 4th with a blessing ceremony at the iconic Duke Kahanamoku Statue. Our team members, Mariana (Brand & Digital Media Manager) and Karen (Oahu District Manager), were humbled to represent KaiAloha Supply during the traditional Hawaiian blessing, which set a tone of safety and respect for the days ahead. As hula dancers shared the storied heritage of the islands through their movement, a powerful display of unity followed: over 90 athletes representing 18 countries made their way to the Duke Kahanamoku statue.
In a moving gesture of respect, each competitor placed a lei upon the monument. This tradition is a deep sign of honor and gratitude, allowing athletes from across the globe to pay their respects to the surfing legends who came before them while bridging their diverse cultures through a shared island tradition. Standing among world champions and rising stars from across the globe was a profound reminder of how the ocean brings the world together (Image courtesy of Mariana Markouizos).
Equipping the Ohana: Our $9,500 Donation
To support the massive logistical effort required for an international event of this scale, KaiAloha Supply was proud to provide an in-kind donation valued at $9,500. We believe that every volunteer and athlete should feel the "Ocean Love" we put into our gear, which is why we were honored to outfit the participants and the crew with premium apparel. Our contribution included 125 Crew T-shirts and 158 Athlete T-Shirts to help the dedicated volunteers/participants stay comfortable and breathable. Additionally, to ensure supporters could take a piece of the event home with them, we provided 170 wholesale T-shirts and 48 wholesale rash guards available for purchase at the event (Image courtesy of Mariana Markouizos).
Support on the Sand![]()
On May 5th, the competition moved into high gear, and our Oahu team was there to keep the stoke high. We spent the day manning the merchandise booth, where we had the wonderful chance to meet families and supporters who had traveled from all over the world. The atmosphere at an AccesSurf event is truly electric, serving as a masterclass in resilience and pure joy. Whether we were helping a guest find the perfect souvenir shirt or cheering on a breakthrough moment in the lineup, our team left feeling deeply inspired by the strength and heart of this community (Image courtesy of Mariana Markouizos).
Mahalo to AccesSurf Hawaii
A heartfelt mahalo to AccesSurf for their incredible leadership in ocean accessibility and for allowing us to be a part of this landmark event. We are so inspired by the athletes and humbled to support a mission that ensures the ocean truly belongs to everyone. If you would like to learn more, we encourage you to visit AccesSurf.org to see how you can volunteer at their next beach day or contribute to their life-changing programs (Image courtesy of Mariana Markouizos).
