Wong, Hammerheads to Play in Hilo Next January

Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium. Photo credit: Kristin Hashimoto.

The Hawai’i Hammerheads, a new American Basketball Association franchise based in Honolulu, announced Wednesday that it will be playing a pair of regular season games in Hilo at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium on Saturday, January 14 and Sunday, January 15.

Kevin Williams, president of the new ABA team, told Big Island Now on Wednesday that he has locked in the dates with the County of Hawai’i to hold the games in Hilo. Both games will be against the Jersey Express, the longest running ABA franchise. Last season, Jersey finished in the top five during the regular season and made it to the final eight in the ABA Playoffs.

“We are excited to bring the Hammerheads to Hilo for two of our regular season games. Having one of our top players, Aukai Wong, play in front of his hometown fans will be great for him and our team,” Williams said. “The New Jersey Express is one of the Premier teams in the ABA and we look forward to a great matchup.”

Tip time for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m., while Sunday’s game will start at 4 p.m.

Specific ticket information will be announced at a later date, but Williams said that single-game tickets will go for $7 for adults and $3 for kids. A weekend pass, good for both games, will cost $10 per adult and $5 per child. All kids five years and under get in free.