Unleashing Hawaii: How the TransPacific Championships Position the Islands as a Premier Sports Tourism Destination

HONOLULU – Excitement is building as nearly 30 indoor volleyball courts go up at the Hawaii Convention Center for the TransPacific Volleyball Championships. This year, the tournament will showcase around 400 teams and 5,000 athletes from 13 states and six different countries.

Organizer Ed Chun emphasizes that putting Hawaii first is key to their plans. “We want to bring life to Hawaii through events like this,” he says. The tournament, running from early Saturday to Monday afternoon, will feature an impressive 1,400 matches across Oahu.

With an estimated 25,000 spectators expected, local tourism leaders see this as a win for Hawaii’s visitor industry. Mufi Hannemann, chair of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, believes the tournament shows off the state as a great sports destination. “It’s a chance for local teams to compete without the need to fundraise for travel to the mainland,” he notes.

The tournament is projected to bring in millions for Hawaii’s economy, adding to a lineup of recent major sporting events like the Sony Open and Hawaii Bowl. “These events highlight that we are a sports tourism capital,” Hannemann adds. He wants everyone to know that Hawaii isn’t just a vacation spot; it’s also a wonderful place to enjoy sports.

Check out more information about the TransPacific Championships here.