Youth basketball league expands to encourage more beginning-level players

The Hawaiʻi County of Hawaiʻi Department of Parks and Recreation is starting the first novice girls division for the East Hawaiʻi Youth Basketball League 2025-26 season.

The league is separating the novice divisions for boys and girls to encourage greater participation in the basketball league, especially among beginner-level players.

According to Parks and Recreation, this year will also include a new partnership with the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). With the $30 registration fee, each player will receive a reversible NBA or WNBA replica jersey. In addition, teams that register at least 10 players will receive two official basketballs.

“The youth basketball league is a great way for keiki to get involved in team sports no matter their experience level,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “We are excited this year to introduce partnerships with the NBA and WNBA, and we look forward to announcing more league opportunities across the island.”

Registration for the new girls division opens on Tuesday, Sept. 23.

The league includes the following divisions and age groups:

• Novice Girls Elementary (3rd-5th grade) and Novice Girls Intermediate (6th-8th Grade) 
  • Registration: Sept. 23 to Oct. 29
  • Season: Dec. 1 to Feb. 26
  • Coaches/team representatives meeting: 5 p.m. on Oct. 22 at Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Lūʻau Hale in Hilo.  
• Novice Boys 10 & Under, Novice Boys 12 & Under, Novice Boys 14 & Under 
  • Registration: To be announced
  • Season: March 2 to May 21
  • Coaches/team representatives meeting: Jan. 13
• Open Co-Ed 10 & Under, Open Co-Ed 12 & Under, Open Co-Ed 14 & Under 
  • Registration: To be announced
  • Season: March 2 to May 21
  • Coaches/team representatives meeting: Jan. 13

The cost for registering a child is $30 per player, and coaches pay $160 to register a team.

Similar youth basketball leagues will also be offered in West Hawaiʻi and North Hawaiʻi, which includes the North Kohala, South Kohala and Hāmākua districts, with details to be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information about the East Hawaiʻi basketball leagues, contact Mark Osorio at (808) 938-2012 or mark.osorio@hawaiicounty.gov.

For more information, including registration forms, division guidelines, and contact information, visit the Youth Basketball page on the Parks and Recreation website, or contact Mark Osorio at (808) 938-2012, or mark.osorio@hawaiicounty.gov.