Organizers in Hawaii are launching the Hawaii Esports Open Championship to rebuild the islands' PC esports scene after a pandemic slowdown. The tournament features competitions in League of Legends and Valorant, starting with online qualifiers in March. Top teams will advance to live finals at Kawaii Kon 2026.
Competitive gaming is making a comeback in Hawaii through the newly announced Hawaii Esports Open Championship, aimed at reuniting players across the state in high-level PC competitions. The event focuses on two popular titles: League of Legends and Valorant. It kicks off with an online qualifier weekend on March 21–22, where teams vie for spots in the finals. Registration closes on March 20, urging participants to sign up promptly via the official platform.
The top two teams from the qualifiers will proceed to the in-person championship round at Kawaii Kon 2026, held on April 26 at one of Hawaii's largest pop culture conventions. Qualifying teams receive two weekend passes each to the convention, adding to the incentives for competitors.
Hawaii's esports history dates back to 2012 through 2019, when local tournaments regularly included games like Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Valorant. These events fostered a close-knit community of players and fans, but activity declined significantly during the pandemic. Now, groups like EMP Live Designs and other community organizers are driving the revival. They encourage gamers to join the EMP Discord server for real-time updates, tournament details, and discussions.
The initiative's broader objective is to reconstruct Hawaii's esports landscape with additional tournaments, leagues, and events, enabling island-wide local competition. Players can register and find more information at https://www.start.gg/tournament/kawaii-kon-2026-open-tournaments/details. For ongoing coverage, follow EMP Live Designs on Instagram (@emp_live_designs), YouTube (@EMPLiveDesigns), or Twitch (emplivedesigns).