Middle and High School Students participate in Summer Esports Events. Image By Jordan Oliver .
A Season of Growth and Achievement
As we close out an incredible spring and summer, we are excited to share the highlights of what has been an extraordinarily busy and rewarding few months at the HPU Esports Arena.
Spring into Summer: State Finals and Community Engagement
We ended the Spring season by hosting the State Finals for middle school and high school esports across Hawaii. Over back-to-back weekends, our arena was at capacity as we facilitated custom tournament operations, fluid layouts, and seamless broadcasting and production for two major events: the Vanta Middle School and High School Finals and the Hawai`i High School Athletic Association’s PlayVS Championship. Our facilities welcomed hundreds of participants, spectators, vendors, and esports enthusiasts who gathered to witness and celebrate the next generation of gaming talent. Support and scholarships were facilitated by local banks and tech companies, as well as Zippy’s, Jack in the Box, and the Hawaii Army National Guard.
Esports and AI Intersect.. Image By Jordan Oliver .
Record-Breaking Summer Camps
Our summer was highlighted by our most successful STEM and Esports Summer Camps to date. With five weeks of camp, we reached maximum capacity during one session - a testament to the growing interest and enthusiasm in our programs. The introduction of STEM concepts, including Artificial Intelligence projects (like the logo and jersey below), was a significant draw, attracting students eager to explore the intersection of technology and gaming. We’re proud to have provided a safe and engaging environment where students can dive into esports and technology, earning rave reviews from participants and parents alike and hitting the local news cycle.
Expanding Our Reach: Conferences and Community Engagement
Beyond our campus, HPU Esports also made its mark as vendors and participants at several key off-site events and conferences, including the KSEdTech Conference hosted by Kamehameha Schools and RIMPAC 2024. These events allowed us to connect with the broader educational and tech communities, showcasing our commitment to advancing esports and STEM education in Hawaii. We have since booked future activations across Oahu.
Students at the Esports Arena.. Image By Jordan Oliver .
Empowering the Next Generation: Internships and Innovation
This summer, we had the privilege of hosting four local student interns from STEMWorks Hawaii and the Maui Economic Development Fund. These talented students spent their summer designing and developing the framework for a local “Games for Change” style competition, where local schools will create video game experiences addressing issues important to them. The program will culminate in a symposium and showcase at the HPU Esports Arena. We are thrilled to see these students’ innovative ideas come to life, laying the groundwork for future community engagement and education. They created and coded a working concept game as part of this project.
A Global Stage: Pokémon World Finals.. Image By Jordan Oliver .
A Global Stage: Pokémon World Finals
In addition to our regular operations, private rentals, and birthday parties, we were honored to host six international teams in the week leading up to the Pokémon World Finals in Honolulu. Teams from Australia, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines, New York, and South America trained and prepared in our arena, bringing a global flavor to our summer activities. It was a remarkable experience to see such a diverse group of players come together under our roof.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Events and New Talent
As we gear up for the new academic year, we’re thrilled to announce a series of upcoming events to welcome incoming students in August and September. Mark your calendars for our DJ Night on September 11th—a perfect way to kick off the semester with music, gaming, and community.
This September, we are also proud to be a featured host location for Honolulu Tech Week. Our arena will showcase an AI Art Gallery Experience featuring renowned AI artists from around the world, as well as an Esports and Tech Talk night, delving into the latest trends and innovations in the industry.
Finally, we’re excited to welcome a strong Valorant roster to our ranks, including an incoming Immortal player who will join our starting five stack. With this addition, we’re poised for a competitive season ahead.
Stay Connected
We invite you to stay connected with us for more updates on our programs, events, and the latest in HPU Esports. Thank you for your continued support, and we look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events!
