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It’s “game-on!” at the HPU Esports Arena.

The arena closed out the year with a full stack of esports and tech events for the community. In November 2022, HPU hosted a professional development hackathon, our first Women in Gaming night, a League of Legends World Finals “Watch Party,” and secure the arena's first Simulation Racing Motion PC rig and classic arcade cabinets.

In addition to the holiday parties and Collegiate Valorant, December came with lots of gaming and fun. The Esports Arena held the first official Twitch Hawai‘i community meet-up since the beginning of the pandemic, bringing Hawai‘i’s streamers together under one roof. A multi-week holiday Valorant tournament and League of Legends tournaments for the community also kept our seats full.

HPU was proud to host the Hawai‘i Esports League State playoffs and championship for middle and high schools. This multi-day event had over 30 schools participate, offered education sessions, food and vendors, and was a great way to showcase the Arena to the next-generation.

To cap-off the Fall and Winter, the HPU Esports Arena celebrated its five year anniversary in February with a great community gaming event and party! It was a great way to display all the ways HPU Esports is positively impacting the gaming community. President Gotanda stopped by to enjoy some sim-racing and give a speech on the Arena’s success. Vendors and gaming communities from around Oahu turned up to celebrate, enjoy free food, prizes, a DJ and more.

In addition to the continuation of our FGC nights, Women in Gaming club, and Collegiate Valorant, we have tournaments, camps, industry events and more planned for the Spring and Summer. It is an exciting time to be a gamer Å·ÃÀAƬ.

 

Edited by Sandra Meyer