Eight Hawaiʻi school robotics teams advance to the world championships

Waiākea Intermediate School is one of eight Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams to advance to the 2025 VEX Robotics World Championship in Dallas, which is one of the highest levels of competition.

The 2025 Hawaiʻi High and Middle School VEX V5 Robotics Regional Championships was held last Saturday and Sunday and qualified 8 out of 45 Hawaiʻi VEX robotics teams for an opportunity to compete at the highest level in the world-class event. 

Advancing along with Waiākea are: Nanakuli High and Intermediate School, Waialua High and Intermediate School, and Mililani Mechs Robotics, all from Oʻahu.

Christian Wong of Hawaiʻi Science and Technology Museum and Jon Kitagawa of Waiakea Intermediate School won the Mentor of the Year Awards from the high school and middle school divisions, respectively. 

The double qualifications by these teams will allow two other Hawaiʻi teams – to be determined by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation – to advance to the VEX Worlds. 

Although a team from Keaʻau High School did not advance to the Worlds, they won the “Think Award” from the high school division. 

Coming up on February 15-16 will be The Hawaiʻi VEX IQ Robotics Regional Championships will feature elementary and middle school divisions on Saturday, Feb. 15 and Sunday, Feb. 16 at at Pearl City High School on Oʻahu.