An international volleyball tournament concluded on Monday, drawing thousands of visitors to Hawaii over the long weekend. Tourism officials emphasized that the event reinforces Hawaii’s reputation as a premier sports destination.
“There’s a lot of energy here,” said Jeff Scholz, a visitor from Washington. “The environment, the music—it’s one of our favorite tournaments for sure.”
The annual Trans-Pacific Championship showcased top-tier teenage volleyball talent, with over 380 teams participating from across Hawaii and around the globe.
This tournament is among several recent sporting events boosting Hawaii’s tourism sector. Other high-profile events include the PGA Tour’s “Hawaii Swing” and the Polynesian Bowl All-Star game, both of which draw significant crowds and contribute to the state’s top industry.
“Tourism is a $20 billion industry,” said Mufi Hannemann, president and CEO of the Hawaii Lodging & Tourism Association. “Nothing comes close to generating that level of revenue. In a strong year, it supports over 200,000 jobs and contributes more than a billion dollars in transient accommodation tax revenue.”
The Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), a primary sponsor of the volleyball tournament, invested $75,000 in the event. Officials believe the economic impact far exceeds the cost.
“Over three days, we’re talking about 25,000 people staying in our hotels, dining at local restaurants, and shopping extensively,” Hannemann said. “This is a significant boost to the economy and reinforces HTA’s goal of establishing Hawaii as a sports capital.”
Visitors like Scholz appreciate the unique combination of Hawaii’s natural beauty and vibrant sports culture. “We love Kauai—it’s our happy place,” Scholz said. “This tournament was the perfect way to end our trip.”
Hannemann highlighted Hawaii’s welcoming atmosphere and diverse offerings. “Our community supports tourism and is very accommodating. We offer choices for people to compete, train, play, or simply relax. Hawaii truly has it all.”
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