Fans Not Allowed to Attend Upcoming HHSAA Swim Meet at Kamehameha Schools

Due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions, the Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association’s swimming and diving state meet scheduled for next month will not allow fans to attend the event due to site and space restrictions, HHSAA officials reported Tuesday, Feb. 2.

The meet, scheduled for March 4-5, is set to take place at Kamehameha Schools in Keaʻau. 

Should state, county and venue restrictions change, the HHSAA may take appropriate action to adjust fan regulations accordingly.

HHSAA executive director Christopher T. Chun said the venue’s capacity is 400, however, with continued concerns of spreading COVID infections, KS set capacity at the on-campus pool to 150 people in the bleachers. The decision ensures competitors  have enough space in the bleachers to safely spread out.

In past years, Chun said they’ve have about 25-30 schools represented with between 200-250 swimmers and divers qualifying.

“I expect the numbers to be similar,” he stated. “With that number above the COVID capacity of the host site, we were extremely limited in allowing spectators for this event.”

The number of student athletes participating in the event is determined based on qualifying standards, “but we anticipate at least 150 from most of our member schools,” Chun said.

While their stance on sporting events remains to allow for spectators, Hawaiʻi County officials state they only have a say over county facilities. However, they encourage private institutions and sporting leagues to allow for, at least, parents to attend sporting events.

Big Island Now reached out to KS spokesperson but didn’t receive a callback by press time.

The meet will be live-streamed.