HONOLULU — The Hawaii High School Athletic Association has named Hawaiian Airlines as the new title sponsor of its canoe paddling state championship as the 17th annual regatta gets underway Saturday in Hilo.
HONOLULU — The Hawaii High School Athletic Association has named Hawaiian Airlines as the new title sponsor of its canoe paddling state championship as the 17th annual regatta gets underway Saturday in Hilo.
“The HHSAA is very appreciative of our partnership with Hawaiian Airlines,” said HHSAA executive director Chris Chun. “Hawaiian is a well-recognized local and national business leader, and as becoming the title sponsor of Hawaii’s iconic state tournament, it validates HHSAA’s mission of education-based athletics. This partnership ensures that Hawaiian airlines will continue to provide our student-athletes and their families with safe, on-time, and affordable travel to and from all of our state tournaments.”
The three-year title sponsorship runs through the 2019-20 academic year and covers boys, girls and mixed canoe paddling state championships.
“We are proud to extend our longtime support for Hawaiian sports and culture to our youngest island paddlers,” said Avi Mannis, senior vice president for marketing at Hawaiian Airlines. “We look forward to welcoming our student-athletes, coaches, staff, as well as their families and friends onboard with our Hawaiian hospitality.”
Hawaiian Airlines served as title sponsor of the HHSAA state girls and boys basketball tournaments for 14 years, beginning in the 2000-01 school year. The airline also supports professional and collegiate athletic events in Hawaii, including the Moloka‘i Hoe and Na Wahine O Ke Kai outrigger championships, as well as the Diamond Head Classic basketball tournament.
This year’s Hawaiian Airlines Canoe Paddling State Championship takes place Saturday at Hilo Bay on the Big Island. Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. with heats to follow at 10 a.m. and running through mid-afternoon.
