Hana wrestling club to compete on national stage
Reprinted from MauiNews article: https://www.mauinews.com/news/local-news/2025/06/hana-wrestling-club-to-compete-on-national-stage/
Local News
Jun 18, 2025
Photo Credit: The Hãna Elites Wrestling Club will travel to Pocatello, Idaho, for the Western States Nationals on June 26-28 as young athletes with the club represent their home at a tournament featuring some of the best competition across the U.S. Courtesy photo
By: Courtney Howell
The Hãna Elites Wrestling Club will travel to Pocatello, Idaho, for the Western States Nationals on June 26-28 as young athletes with the club represent their home at a tournament featuring some of the best competition across the U.S. Courtesy photo
Young athletes with the Hāna Elites Wrestling Club are making history as they prepare to travel to Pocatello, Idaho, to represent Team Hawaiʻi at the prestigious Western States Nationals on June 26-28.
For many of the athletes, this will be their first time competing out of state.
Naihe Akoi, who owns and operates the gym, has poured his time, knowledge and aloha into building wrestling warriors of character and grit. Training his own keiki, Naihe Boy Akoi and Kelia Akoi, alongside his nephew, Kaeo Akoi-Eleogram, Akoi has created a training ground for children of all ages to have the opportunity to push their limits, chase excellence and hold each other to a high standard.
While Akoi coaches the team, so does Naihe Boy Akoi, who brings firsthand experience after competing at this same national tournament.
The young athletes train two to three times a day, mostly in the afternoons and evenings, learning and competing in three major wrestling styles: Greco-Roman, freestyle and folkstyle. Naihe Boy Akoi’s knowledge combines strength, conditioning, speed, agility and endurance training, while coordination training is run by Analu Mattos, creating a full-circle system — one that is elevating youth beyond the mat.
Hāna Elites Wrestling Club is becoming a powerhouse and the club takes pride in having an entire team representing the small town of Hāna on one of the biggest stages for youth wrestling in the country featuring hundreds of competitors across multiple age groups and wrestling styles.
“This journey would not be possible without the incredible parents of all the wrestlers — those who stay actively involved, sacrifice their time, invest their energy, and show up day after day to support their keiki,” said Ilima Akoi, a mother to Kaeo, one of the wrestlers. “A special mahalo to Lester Kaiwi, who has been at every single practice, hands-on and helping, alongside many other parents who continue to uplift and strengthen this movement from the inside out.”
For Akoi, seeing Hāna Elites Wrestling competing at the Western States Nationals stands as a testimony of what can happen when a community rallies around its youth.
“When a father turns his home into a gym, when kids show up every day, although it can get hard, or when families push through every obstacle to give their keiki the chance to chase greatness,” Akoi said.
As the Western State Nationals marks the first of many out-of-state tournaments these athletes hope to experience, the club is amped as they are just beginning to write their story and grow.
Hāna Elites team is an all-year-round wrestling club, committed to growing champions in mind, body and heart.
“To everyone who has donated, fundraised, cooked, bought a plate, or simply encouraged these kids along the way — mahalo nui loa,” Akoi said. “Your support is what’s making this dream possible. If you’d like to help sponsor or support the athletes as they continue to train and compete, please reach out. Every bit of kōkua makes a difference.”
The full roster of the Hāna Elites athletes includes Naihe Boy Akoi, Kelia Akoi, Kaeo Akoi-Eleogram, Kanaloa Lopez, Kanai Gumanas, Tristan Chung Kee, Kanaloa Chung Kee, Adam Kaiwi, Makani Kaiwi, Pookela Kaiwi, Kuai Kaiwi, Kalena Lind and Kaikai Lind.