This map shows parking for the first-ever Hawaii High School surfing state championships. Courtesy photo

Spectators for the inaugural Hawaii High School Athletic Association Surfing State Championships will only be allowed to access Hookipa Beach Park via free HHSAA event shuttles from the parking lot off Holomua Road on Friday and Saturday.

There will be no spectator parking at Hookipa Beach Park, which will be closed for competition-use only from 5 p.m. April 30 through 5 p.m. May 2.

Shuttles will run as needed, to and from the parking lot, starting at 6 a.m. May 1 and 2. Spectators are asked to follow event signage for parking information to the parking lot approximately a mile away on Holomua Road, and area motorists are asked to drive with caution and expect delays.

Heats will begin at 7 a.m. Friday and Saturday, with action scheduled to end at 4:30 p.m. Friday and at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. Awards will be presented after the finals end on Saturday.

The HHSAA Surfing State Championships event marks the first state high school championship for the sport, which has been sanctioned by the Maui Interscholastic League since 2014.

After the state’s other four leagues started competing in the sport this year, a total of 174 competitors – 87 boys and 87 girls – will compete at the first state meet in three divisions: shortboard, longboard and bodyboard. The event has boys teams from 36 high schools and girls teams from 27 high schools.

All five of the state’s high school leagues are competing in the state championship, and the two-day event will crown boys and girls team champions and individual champions.

For more information, contact the Maui County Department of Parks and Recreation Permit Office at (808) 270-7389 or DPRPermits@mauicounty.gov.

For a HHSAA shuttle route map, visit tinyurl.com/354twfye.