The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa鈥檚 Rocket League team captured a national championship in its first year of competition, completing an undefeated 10-0 spring 2026 season and sweeping the grand finals 4-0.

Rocket League is a competitive game that combines soccer and driving, with players controlling rocket-powered cars to score goals in fast-paced team matches. At the collegiate level, the game requires strategy, communication, teamwork and quick decision-making under pressure.

This win is the latest milestone for 东精影业 Esports, one of the country鈥檚 premier collegiate esports programs and widely recognized as one of the best collegiate esports programs in the nation. Formally launched in 2018–19, the program earned national acclaim in 2022 when it was named the best collegiate esports program in the U.S. It now includes more than 100 student-athletes competing year-round in the Mountain West Conference and in national tournaments across multiple games, including Rocket League, League of Legends, Overwatch and Valorant.

“This isn鈥檛 just students playing video games,” said Sky Kauweloa, 东精影业 Esports director. “Esports at 东精影业 Mānoa is about leadership, teamwork and creating opportunities for students to represent their university at the highest level. What this team accomplished in its very first season shows the talent we have here in Hawaiʻi and the kind of community we鈥檙e building through this program.”

Freshman Logan Gregory, a Mililani High School graduate known in-game as “Sly,” helped lead the program as team captain. Gregory was already one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 top high school Rocket League players and a state champion before coming to 东精影业 Mānoa. He played a key role in building the team from the ground up and shaping its competitive culture.

“Building the program for Rocket League in Hawaiʻi was an amazing opportunity to prove that Hawaiʻi can compete on a national level when leadership, teamwork and dedication are put together into one team,” Gregory said. “Coming in as my first year, I wanted to help create something special here at 东精影业 Mānoa; a foundation for Rocket League that shows Hawaiʻi players belong in the national esports scene. In such a short amount of time, I am proud that we have accomplished something so great through the hours of the team鈥檚 commitment, trust, bonding and love for the game for the chance to prove ourselves that we are a championship level team.”

The team also added a major transfer in junior Jesse Hushower, known in competition as “Hoosh,” who came to 东精影业 Mānoa from Boise State University, one of the nation鈥檚 top collegiate Rocket League programs. His experience competing at a high level helped strengthen the roster during its championship run.

“Before transferring from Boise State University, I had the opportunity to tour 东精影业 Mānoa‘s campus and meet with the esports team,” Hushower said. “After I talked with several members in the esports program I realized how connected the people here seemed which was a large influence on why I chose to come to 东精影业 Mānoa. Coming from a school with a well established esports program, Rocket League in particular, I believe I was able to bring some of that experience with me and enhance the quickly growing 东精影业 Mānoa esports program. It has been an overall amazing experience.”

Junior Ahled Dame Domingo (“ad2littt”) and freshman Noah Vila (“nowuz”) rounded out the championship roster, contributing to the team鈥檚 depth and consistency throughout the season. The operator of the Rocket League tournament was PlayVs.

Visit the 东精影业 esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

(APFCU) has entered into a landmark partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, pledging significant financial support over the next decade. Opening in August 2027, the new Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union 东精影业 Esports Arena will be located in the renovated Student Success Center (previously called Sinclair Library). This investment will fuel one of the university鈥檚 fastest-growing programs and strengthen connections with the next generation of students and community members.

APFCU鈥檚 10-year sponsorship will provide critical funding for scholarships, team travel, equipment and competitive programming, resources that previously relied on modest budgets from Information Technology Services (ITS) and support from the Academy for Creative Media.

For APFCU President Vince Otsuka, the sponsorship is both a tribute to his 东精影业 roots and a strategic investment in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 future. A 东精影业 Mānoa finance graduate, he credits the university for educating many of APFCU鈥檚 employees and helping drive the credit union鈥檚 transformation from a small community financial institution into one of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 largest, now exceeding $1.4 billion in assets.

“东精影业 shaped who we are—both as professionals and as a credit union,” said Otsuka. “We may not have the scale of large national institutions, but we can make meaningful contributions where it matters most. 东精影业 esports is innovative, community-driven and filled with passionate students. That鈥檚 why we chose to invest here.”

Building a competitive esports program

Formally launched in 2018–19, 东精影业 Esports has grown into one of the country鈥檚 premier collegiate esports programs. Led by faculty researcher Sky Kauweloa, the program fields more than 100 student athletes who compete year-round in the Mountain West Conference, and in a variety of esports games across the country, including League of Legends, Overwatch and Valorant. Varsity teams regularly travel for national finals and semifinals, and the program maintains a full competitive schedule with fall and spring seasons.

“What makes esports so powerful for students is that it blends competition, entertainment, community and career pathways,” said Kauweloa, director of 东精影业 Esports. “We built this program to mirror traditional athletics—with coaches, structured practices and national tournaments—but we also built it to open doors. Our students come from every corner of campus, not just STEM, and they鈥檙e finding real industry opportunities.”

东精影业 Esports earned national acclaim in 2022 when it was named the best collegiate esports program in the U.S. Strong industry partnerships have since created direct pathways for students, including internships with major gaming companies, participation in Activision Blizzard鈥檚 professional esports league operations and remote roles with NVIDIA, with five students hired directly from 东精影业.

“The younger generation lives at the intersection of gaming, technology and digital communities,” Kauweloa said. “Aloha Pacific understands this better than most. Their investment isn鈥檛 just financial, it鈥檚 a belief in our students and in where the future is headed.”

For Otsuka, the partnership also carries personal meaning.

“This is a natural fit for me,” he said. “I grew up in a house behind 东精影业 Lab School and I remember riding my bike to Sinclair Library. I finally found a way I could give back to a school that I鈥檝e admired since I was a kid playing Nintendo games.”

Visit the 东精影业 esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

Chris Lee, founder of the (ACM System), has been named emeritus faculty by University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel. Lee served as director of ACM for more than two decades. He led the 东精影业 ACM initiative, which spans all 10 campuses and continues to empower students to pursue careers in digital storytelling, with a strong emphasis on Indigenous narratives rooted in Hawaiʻi. Reflecting the state鈥檚 unique cultural diversity, ACM is the first majority Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander media school in the country.

Now, the Hollywood veteran is stepping down, leaving a legacy that expanded Hawaiʻi鈥檚 creative pipeline and opened doors for homegrown storytellers and creators.

Lee said, “There are so many people to mahalo for this honor. I am so grateful to the 2004 Board of Regents, which originally approved ACM as a system-wide initiative, key alumni like Roy and Hilda Takeyama who gave generously to both start and sustain us, legislators and governors who financially supported the build out of the program across the islands, the local production industry that has embraced our students, our exceptional faculty and, most of all, our talented graduates who are driving Hawaiʻi鈥檚 growing and vital creative economy.”

Under Lee鈥檚 leadership, the ACM System launched 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 ACM (now known as the ), , , and program. It also supported the creation of at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, 东精影业 Esports, and collaborated with 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (ICS) department to develop . Lee enhanced existing media programs at , , Hawaiʻi CC, , and .

Many of them are earning a living doing what they love, right here in Hawaiʻi, telling their stories to the broadest possible audience. That was always the goal.
—Chris Lee

Uniquely, ACM fostered the first comprehensive articulation agreements between all seven community colleges and 东精影业 West Oʻahu, where Lee also led the development and funding of ACM鈥檚 state-of-the-art Student Production Center.

“Chris Lee鈥檚 foundational leadership and contributions have catalyzed creative media education across the 东精影业 System and elevated Hawaiʻi鈥檚 stories to a broader audience,” said 东精影业 President Wendy Hensel. “Drawing from his groundbreaking career in Hollywood, he helped build a thriving creative pipeline here at home. We thank him for his decades of service and are proud to honor him with emeritus status for his lasting influence at 东精影业 and our state.”

• Tributes and reflections on Chris Lee and his legacy at 东精影业

A systemwide vision

Raised in Hawaiʻi and an alumnus of ʻIolani School, Lee graduated from Yale University before starting a successful career as a motion picture executive and film and television producer. The first person of Asian ancestry to lead a major Hollywood studio, serving as President of Production at TriStar Pictures and Columbia Pictures, he oversaw iconic films such as Jerry Maguire, Philadelphia, As Good As It Gets and more.

After returning to Hawaiʻi in the early 2000s, Lee was invited to “start a film school” at 东精影业. He imagined a cross-campus network that could elevate creative media education statewide.

“Rather than just focusing on one campus at 惭腻苍辞补, I visited every campus in the 东精影业 System,” Lee said. “I met with faculty, staff and students and saw what already existed, including the animation program at Kapiʻolani CC and the TV studios at Leeward CC, and thought, ‘What if we built something that connected all of them?’”

In January, 2004, the 东精影业 Board of Regents formally established ACM, and Lee became its Founding Director. Over time, the initiative grew into a coordinated system offering specialized pathways in creative media, animation, gaming and digital content creation.

Empowering students and communities

At 东精影业 West Oʻahu, now the flagship for ACM, students can now pursue degrees in creative media, game design, communications and more. 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 School of Cinematic Arts focuses on narrative filmmaking, animation and Indigenous storytelling. The community colleges and 东精影业 Hilo offer strong foundations in production, media theory and animation.

“What made this possible was the advent of affordable digital technology,” Lee said. “Thanks to early support from donors and 东精影业 alumni, including Roy and Hilda Takayama and Jay Shidler, we gave students a ‘Digital Toolbelt’—Macs with editing software, cameras and sound equipment. It let them tell stories that were true to themselves and shareable with the world through online platforms.”

Creating an industry pathway

From the start, Lee emphasized that ACM wasn鈥檛 just about making films. “It was about preparing a workforce that could thrive in the future digital economy, in storytelling, animation, games, immersive media and beyond,” he said. Today ACM graduates from every 东精影业 campus are driving Hawaiʻi驶s growing creative economy.

Many of those early students have gone on to make significant contributions to film and television, including Daniel Ledoux Miller, co-director and co-writer of Moana 2; Bryson Kainoa Chun, a writer for Moana 2 and Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., who, along with fellow 东精影业 alumnus Alika Tengan, was named to the inaugural Indigenous List recognizing top Native screenwriters.

ACM graduates work for Pixar, Disney, HBO, NBC and Netflix, but most have stayed in Hawaiʻi to build production companies or lead communications teams in sectors far beyond entertainment.

“Every business now wants an in-house videographer and social media content,” Lee said. “While graduates from 东精影业 惭补苍辞补鈥檚 ACM like Christopher Makoto Yogi and Alika Tengan debuted their features at the Sundance Film Festival, students coming out of 东精影业 West Oʻahu are making TikTok capstones and going on to run campaigns for companies like BMW/Mini and even Honolulu City Hall.”

A hub for the future

The $37-million ACM Student Production Center at 东精影业 West Oʻahu opened in 2022 and has already become a hub for content creation, film and student collaboration. Adjacent to the facility is the proposed site of a state-of-the-art motion picture and television studio, currently under development.

The project, spearheaded by the Island Film Group team in partnership with 东精影业, will include modern sound stages, production facilities, and a town square with live-work, retail, dining and lodging. The studio is envisioned as a transformative center for the West Oʻahu region and the state鈥檚 growing media industry.

“This is the natural next step in ACM鈥檚 evolution,” Lee said. “Combined with the 东精影业WO Student Production Center, this complex will help elevate ACM to a global level. One of the project requirements is integration with ACM, which means our local students will have real opportunities鈥攑aid internships, mentorship and jobs with living wages.”

Driving innovation across the 东精影业

Even as he steps back, Lee is helping guide ACM鈥檚 evolution through new initiatives. Most recently, he has been actively involved with the Aloha AI Institute, a proposed 东精影业 initiative that, like ACM System, aims to unite all 10 UH campuses. The project will equip students with the tools and opportunities to explore AI鈥檚 role in creative fields, particularly in integrating Indigenous knowledge and cultural narratives.

Lee also helped create a new computational creative media degree at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 ICS, launched in fall 2024, which prepares students to use AI tools in video games, animation and digital content. His push into esports led to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 largest tournament in 2024, the Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational, hosted at 东精影业 West Oʻahu. The event brought together six 东精影业 campuses, out-of-state universities such as Michigan State, and local high schools, showcasing how ACM initiatives are preparing students for future careers while supporting economic diversification.

A lasting impact

ACM鈥檚 transformation into a nationally recognized, culturally grounded media school stands as part of Lee鈥檚 enduring legacy鈥攐ne that elevates Hawaiʻi鈥檚 stories and storytellers on the global stage.

“Everybody hopes they leave someplace better than how they found it,” Lee said. “Now we have hundreds of ACM graduates. Many of them are earning a living doing what they love, right here in Hawaiʻi, telling their stories to the broadest possible audience. That was always the goal.”

Reflections on Chris Lee

More than 900 people attended the , March 22 and 23 at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu Academy for Creative Media (ACM) Facility. The esports event brought together collegiate teams from the continental U.S. and Hawaiʻi, including six 东精影业 campuses.

The Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational welcomed players from Boise State University and Michigan State University, who battled against local teams from 东精影业 Hilo, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and 东精影业 West Oʻahu; Kapiʻolani, Kauaʻi and Leeward Community Colleges; Chaminade University; and Hawaiʻi Pacific University. Players competed in “Valorant,” a tactical shooter game, and “Super Smash Bros.,” a platform fighter game.

The event was organized by Vanta, an inclusive youth esports platform and league that educates and inspires future esports leaders. High schools also competed, bringing out their “Valorant” teams to showcase their skills in front of potential scouts.

“The turnout far exceeded previous years, with players, families, and friends coming together from across the United States to celebrate esports in Hawaiʻi,” said Paul Todkill, Vanta director of marketing.

Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational overall winners:

• High school “Valorant” champions: McKinley High School
• Collegiate “Valorant” champions: Boise State University
• Open “Super Smash Bros.” competition: Rydra – Michigan State University
• Collegiate “Super Smash Bros.” crews battle: Michigan State University

东精影业 Esports Systems Leadership and Student Summit

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 came in second place in the collegiate “Super Smash Bros.” crews battle and third in “Valorant.” In addition to the tournament, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa highlighted the first-ever 东精影业 Esports Systems Leadership and Student Summit, which was hosted on March 21. The purpose of the summit was to share ideas, stories and histories of each club/team on the individual campuses. According to Kauweloa, the goal was to forge greater collaboration among 东精影业 campuses. The group also discussed a long-term plan for the 东精影业 Esports system as a whole, which included seeking more advisory support and rotating the 东精影业 Esports System tournament to other campuses.

Create(x), LAVA

The Hawaiʻi Esports Invitational utilized UH West Oʻahu鈥檚 Create(x) lab, which features immersive visualization environments such as a projection system that projects onto three walls and the floor for various augmented virtual environments. Create(x) and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 Laboratory for Advanced Visualization and Applications, also known as LAVA, are some of the resources for students in the new and the . These programs are specifically designed to equip students with the skills to merge creative media with computing, preparing them for careers in fields such as video game development, movie special effects, digital media installations, museum exhibits, theme park design and digital marketing.

The , a year-long professional development initiative, is fostering innovation and entrepreneurship across the University of Hawaiʻi system. After a successful inaugural cohort in 2024, the program is now recruiting faculty for its 2025 cohort.

Developed in collaboration with the , (PACE) and , the program assists faculty with integrating experiential learning, entrepreneurial frameworks and engineering design thinking into their course curricula.

“The EL3vate Program is equipping 东精影业 faculty with the tools, industry connections, and hands-on learning strategies needed to inspire the next generation of innovators,” said PACE Executive Director Sandra Fujiyama. “We鈥檙e not only transforming education at 东精影业 but also driving real-world impact across Hawaiʻi鈥檚 communities and industries.”

Apply for the 2025 cohort

. 东精影业 faculty looking to enhance their teaching and provide students with hands-on learning experiences are encouraged to learn more and apply by March 28.

Inaugural cohort success

The first cohort has sparked exciting results:

• PACE competitions: EL3vate participants Associate Professor Kacie Ho (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 ), Assistant Professor Yasushi Ishida (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 ) and Assistant Professor Xiaodan Mao-Clark (东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 in the ) introduced their students to PACE business and innovation competitions encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and real-world problem-solving. Ho and Ishida鈥檚 students were among the awardees in the Innovate 808 competition with their kimchee and marinara flavor chip seasonings and an architectural storefront makeover, respectively.
• Cross-disciplinary collaborations and community engagement: Ishida partnered with Gary Albitz ( business and hospitality) on a Lahaina-focused course initiative, blending design and business perspectives. As part of the project, Ishida utilized the maker spaces at the Walter Dods, Jr. RISE Center to 3D print first terrain models of Lahaina, with support from student PACE Leaders in the Maker program. In a separate collaboration, Kimberly Russell (东精影业 Hilo ) and Mao-Clark worked together on an initiative where their students engaged with the community, strengthening their learning experience through real-world connections.
• Business and esports: 东精影业 Esports students are gaining invaluable entrepreneurial skills and industry connections through a dynamic collaboration between Nyle Sky Kauweloa (东精影业 Esports director and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 specialist faculty for interdisciplinary studies) and PACE. This ongoing partnership, known as PACE X 东精影业 Esports, has recently provided students with two impactful LevelUp workshops and an engaging panel discussion co-hosted with the 东精影业 . Industry leaders from top gaming companies shared their expertise, illuminating exciting career opportunities in esports and gaming management. As a testament to the program’s success, three of Kauweloa’s students are now participating in the PACE Entrepreneurs program, where they are developing an innovative pop-up PC cafe concept.
• Course redesign: With guidance and support from the EL3vate program, faculty were able to integrate the 4Cs: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, and Communication in addition to the other into their course learning objectives.

A team from the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (USNW) was the inaugural winner of the first annual academic esports tournament held in December at . A team from Horschule Mittweida in Saxony, Germany, came in second and received the Aloha Spirit Award.

A total of six teams from around the world competed. Gamers from Korea, United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, Germany, Austria and 东精影业 Maui College鈥檚 own esports team faced off in popular games such as “Valorant,” “League of Legends” and “Rocket League.”

“We were honored to host the first international esports tournament of its kind here on Maui,” said 东精影业 Maui College Chancellor Lui Hokoana. “And we were very happy to host all the teams who came from around the world and we congratulate all of them on their fine play. We look forward to welcoming them all back again.”

• Related 东精影业 News story: Groundbreaking international esports tournament at 东精影业 Maui College, December 10, 2024

东精影业 Maui College tournament adds academic twist

The academic approach made the tournament unique. Students had to excel in three academic challenges: a programming and problem-solving competition that tests technical skills; a business innovation challenge that develops entrepreneurial thinking; and an academic debate forum addressing global gaming culture and sustainability.

It鈥檚 the first time that a tournament has combined esports games with academics and transferable skills to highlight the best of what esports in education can achieve globally. Esports are a common language that brings people together and has a strong part to play in both education and recreation.

“UNSW is wholeheartedly thankful to 东精影业 Maui College for the warm welcome and generous hospitality at the first Academic Esports World Tournament,” said Claire Annesley, USNW dean of the faculty of arts, design and architecture.

students and visiting international Esports teams have been preparing for the assembly of gift baskets for the first residents of the new affordable housing development in Lahaina. Many of the new and prospective residents were displaced by the 2023 wildfires, and the 200-unit Kaiāulu o Kūkuʻia is the first new permanent housing development on the island since then.

CVS Health, the parent company of Longs Drugs, in collaboration with 东精影业 Maui College, Hunt Capital Partners and ThirtyOneFifty Management, donated “welcome home” gift baskets to the residents featuring dozens of home necessities from cookware, broom sets, and towels, to air purifiers, water filter pitchers and children鈥檚 night lights.

“I am so proud of our students, who are committed to helping to rebuild our community,” said Chancellor Lui Hokoana. “We also appreciate the generosity of CVS in providing all the essentials for these gift baskets.”

Gift basket assembly by 东精影业 Maui College students, faculty and staff, and delivery for the first 40 residents was scheduled for December 18. Nearly 90 units are expected to be occupied by the end of December, and the remaining residents are expected to move in over the next several months.

“While equitable access to stable housing is one of the barriers to better health, ensuring residents have the support they need to succeed is also critical to improving overall health outcomes and promoting health equity,” said Keli Savage, head of impact investment strategy at CVS Health.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 esports program achieved its most successful season to date in fall 2024, with standout performances across multiple competitive games and significant industry partnerships.

The “Super Smash Bros.” team excelled in the Mountain West Conference with an impressive 17-1 record and wins against Boise State, Washington State, Nevada, Utah State and the University of New Mexico. Despite dropping its only match to San Jose State in the grand finals, the team鈥檚 performance was groundbreaking.

The “Counter-Strike 2” team also excelled, ranking third nationally in the PlayFly league. 东精影业 upset the third-seeded team and advanced to the semifinals, ultimately losing to second-seed Texas A&M after a competitive 1-2 series. The team finished third out of 31 national teams in the tournament.

The “Rainbow Six Siege” team secured an open playoff spot with a 5-2 regular season record and ranked 25th out of 64 teams in the Collegiate R6 playoffs.

“Competitively, we鈥檝e had one of our best seasons to date, especially with our inclusion in the Mountain West Smash tournament,” 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa. “Our ‘Smash’ team went essentially unbeaten, and our ‘Counter-Strike’ team is really on the up and up.”

Beyond its competitive success, the program expanded its industry connections. In summer 2024, students completed internships and study abroad practicums with Gen.G and T1 in South Korea. The university has sent more students to South Korean esports programs than any other college since 2023.

Nvidia also hired five 东精影业 Esports students and alumni after campus visits in April to work remotely on AI projects.

Looking ahead, the program will expand its Mountain West Conference participation in spring 2025, fielding teams in “League of Legends,’ “Overwatch” and “Valorant.”

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

The will host the world鈥檚 first international academic esports tournament December 13–18. Players from Korea, the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, Germany, Austria, 东精影业 Maui College and Maui High School will blend gaming with academics and compete in popular games such as Valorant, League of Legends and Rocket League.

The public is invited to watch the action live at 东精影业 Maui College鈥檚 Pilina Building Student Lounge or online via Twitch and YouTube. For details, visit .

“I鈥檓 thrilled that gamers from around the world will be joining us to compete. I鈥檓 eager to meet new faces, to share the beauty of Hawaiʻi and the opportunities that are available here at 东精影业 Maui College,” said 东精影业 Maui College student Malia Mancianti.

Pioneering format

The tournament goes far beyond gaming. It pioneers a unique academic format, challenging students in three key areas: programming and problem-solving, business innovation, and global debate on gaming culture and sustainability.

“东精影业 Maui College has always included international educational components in our students鈥� experiences. That is part of what makes hosting this event so significant for us,” said Chancellor Lui Hokoana, who was one of the tournament organizers. “It鈥檚 also noteworthy that the international student players will be fully immersed in Hawaiian culture during their stay, experiencing traditional practices, learning about Maui’s rich heritage, and engaging in cultural exchange activities with the local community. While staying on campus, they’ll share their own diverse cultural perspectives, creating a unique blend of global gaming culture with Hawaiian traditions.”

Participating Universities:

• Mittweida University of Applied Sciences, Germany
• MCI, The Entrepreneurial School, Austria
• Staffordshire University, UK
• University of Agder, Norway
• University of New South Wales, Australia
• Yonsei University, South Korea
• 东精影业 Maui College and Maui High School, USA

Co-organizer Rune Andersen, head of academic esports at the University of Agder, Norway, said, “This tournament breaks new ground in how we think about esports in education.”

Twenty one students from two University of Hawaiʻi campuses ( and ) gained invaluable experience for several weeks this summer at leading esports companies in South Korea and Hawaiʻi, another sign of 东精影业鈥檚 growing success in this skyrocketing field.

These internships aren鈥檛 just about playing games—they鈥檙e launching pads into a multi-billion dollar industry where business acumen is as crucial as gaming skills. According to a , the value of the esports market worldwide is expected to grow from $1.64 billion in 2023 to more than $4.8 billion by 2030.

“Overall, this was another banner year for 东精影业 Esports (东精影业E) and the initiative we created to get students interfacing with industry,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa.

Interning abroad in South Korea

Twelve students interned at Gen.G and one interned at T1. According to a , Gen.G and T1 were among the top 10 most valuable esports companies in the world, placing 8th and 10th, respectively.

“Due to 东精影业E鈥檚 presence, Gen.G has expanded its academic operations within the company to bring in more college students globally for their practicum,” Kauweloa said. “T1 is regarded as the top team in esports within Korea, and normally is much more reluctant with accepting international interns to their company, so to have 东精影业 students at both companies in Korea for the summer was an impressive feat for the program.”

Jazmin Horio, a student at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, was 东精影业鈥檚 representative at T1. During her internship, Horio worked with T1’s business development department, observing various business initiatives including partnerships for PC cafes, tourism events and community engagement. Her main tasks were to propose ideas for a guided tour aimed at foreign audiences and suggest improvements to the fan loyalty program to diversify its demographics. Horio got a headstart with her internship and spent four months in Korea as she was already studying abroad in Seoul at Yonsei University in spring 2024.

“To be able to join and witness how the most prestigious esports organization in the world navigates being at the top of their industry, it will forever remain one of the best experiences of my life,” Horio said. “Not only did I gain experience in a field I am the most passionate about, but I gained a family at T1 that I’ll be sure to keep in contact with for years to come.”

Jaydon Patoc, an education major at 东精影业 West Oʻahu, was among the 12 students at Gen.G. This was Patoc鈥檚 second year interning with the company. As part of the education team, Patoc helped create and develop courses for a new Gen.G academy program.

“Being a part of the Gen.G practicum and internship a second year has allowed me to not only see old mentors, but also to meet new mentors and friends as well,” Patoc said. “Through this internship, it has allowed me to develop as a future educator by having experiences in a classroom setting abroad, and developing my own course and lesson plans before I start my student teaching this fall.”

• Related 东精影业 News story: 东精影业 students intern with leading South Korean esports company, July 5, 2023

Gaining experience in Hawaiʻi

An additional eight students were part of 东精影业鈥檚 second cohort to intern at Vanta Esports in Hawaiʻi. According to Kauweloa, this internship continues to develop as part of 东精影业E‘s mission to support a local workforce development path in esports in the state.

“The Vanta internship was an incredible opportunity to immerse myself in the rapidly evolving esports industry, particularly in Hawaiʻi,” said Binh Phan, a student at 东精影业 West Oʻahu. “It gave me hands-on experience with analyzing user engagement, auditing UI/UX (user interface and user experience), and understanding the competitive landscape of platforms like PlayVS and Generation Esports.”

The summer interns will share more about their experiences at a 东精影业 Esports x (PACE) networking event on October 25. More details will be announced on and on social media ((pacehawaii).

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

—By Marc Arakaki

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 esports program launched a groundbreaking camp aimed to engage students with disabilities through video games and esports.

The four-day program in July featured nine students from Leeward Community College, Windward CC, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and 东精影业 West Oʻahu. Participants learned to build PCs, create in-game avatars and practice online gaming safety.

Sky Kauweloa, director of 东精影业 Esports, partnered with the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 to create the camp. Kauweloa鈥檚 goal has been to provide opportunities for marginalized students and communities, starting with supporting women and LGBTQ+ players through the Women of 东精影业 Esports program, and forming the first varsity mobile esports team in North America via the game Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

“Now, we have extended the core mission of 东精影业 Esports to become a venue for students with disabilities to find a home across our system campuses,” Kauweloa said. “The esports disability camp is possibly one of the first in North America, which reinforces the core mission of 东精影业 Esports to be inclusive of marginalized student populations on our campus when it comes to access to video games and gaming and digital technologies. I believe this camp could be a catalyst for collaborations with other universities interested in supporting their own students with disabilities.”

A key feature was the introduction of Microsoft鈥檚 adaptive controllers, which assisted individuals with physical limitations. Leeward CC is planning to purchase these controllers for their esports initiative.

Social impacts

Moshe Karabelnike, the main camp organizer and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 communication and information sciences PhD alum, highlighted the social impact.

“Many of the students we work with struggle to make friends, and it was beautiful to watch how a shared interest immediately brought the students together,” Karabelnike said. “My proudest moment in camp was seeing a student with no previous gaming experience use an adaptive controller to participate in competitive gaming, cooperate with teammates, and score for her team.”

The camp employed coaches from 东精影业 Esports, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and Leeward CC. Kauweloa hopes the camp will continue to be offered every summer.

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and . More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

A first-of-its-kind esports pathways program will launch this fall for University of Hawaiʻi students, as well as eligible Hawaiʻi residents through .

The free program consists of nine credits (SOCs 150 and COM 201 in fall 2024 and SOCs 489 in summer 2025) and a 150-hour internship in summer 2025. This is the first program from college to the esports industry in the state for students who want to learn more about careers in esports. After completing this program, participants will at least be qualified for entry level positions in the industry. This pathway program is designed to lead to a certificate program within the next year.

is hosting the program and working in partnership with . 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program director Nyle Sky Kauweloa is the lead instructor for the courses and manages the program.

Kauweloa said the program is geared towards freshmen and sophomores, especially at the community colleges, who have long expressed their interests in the video games/esports industries, but due to various constraints have been unable to fully participate in the growth around esports in Hawaiʻi.

“The goal is to have this cohort of students better prepared with established contacts, relationships and knowledge to start finding sustainable work in esports from Hawaiʻi,” Kauweloa said. “This is an unprecedented move by the state to support a pathway experience in esports with the support of the community, higher education and industry.”

Current 东精影业 System students as well as Hawaiʻi residents who are not currently enrolled at a 东精影业 campus are . Kauweloa is also hosting a virtual informational session for interested applicants on July 17 at 4 p.m. .

• Related 东精影业 News story: Free training: Media, film, esports, more, July 2, 2024

Vanta Esports is the program鈥檚 industry partner for the summer 2025 internship.

“We are excited to participate in the 东精影业 (Good Jobs Hawaiʻi) esports pathway program this year,” said Ed Lallier, co-founder and chief revenue officer at Vanta. “It is a meaningful program that will have a significant impact on the local economy. It鈥檚 also great to have the state of Hawaiʻi financially support this initiative to help increase skill development and address critical needs in today鈥檚 job market. Skills learned through this program will give students opportunities to earn high paying jobs so they can afford a quality lifestyle on the island.”

Under Kauweloa鈥檚 leadership, the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program has achieved global prominence, winning national collegiate program of the year in 2022, ranking in the top 5 nationally in multiple games and placing several students in successful international esports internships and jobs.

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and . More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

In less than five years since its inception, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 esports program has achieved global prominence, winning national collegiate program of the year in 2022, ranking in the top 5 nationally in multiple games and placing several students in successful international esports internships and jobs. Due to the program鈥檚 success, attention from tech and esports companies around the world continues to build.

In the spring 2024 semester, four employees from the world鈥檚 most valuable company NVIDIA—a leading technology organization specializing in graphics processing units for gaming, professional visualization, data centers and automotive markets—visited 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 to talk with students about future career opportunities with the company. Students asked questions about careers related to gaming and artificial intelligence, and exchanged contact information with the NVIDIA representatives. NVIDIA鈥檚 emphasis on hiring gamers was a real eye opener to the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 students.

Kyle Yumen, NVIDIA director of test engineering, said the visit was “Refreshing to see the dedication these students are putting into their education and gaming. They鈥檝e built a great supportive community and friends.”

“东精影业 Esports (东精影业E) is constantly looking for opportunities for students to interface with the broader video games industry,” said Nyle Sky Kauweloa, 东精影业 Esports program director. “A visit by NVIDIA highlights 东精影业E‘s commitment to that goal, and the success we’ve had in standing out as a program. What also made this visit special is that the engineers at NVIDIA specifically came to 东精影业E looking for gamers and esports players to network with and possibly hire for future jobs. At the end of the talk, they even asked the students to prepare a ‘gaming resume’ if they were interested in working at NVIDIA’s AI gaming division.”

Aloha Pacific FCU extends student scholarships

The 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program has received a donation of more than $26,000 from Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union for the second straight year, extending the team鈥檚 first scholarship fund. Scholarships are awarded each fall to the five students who qualify for the fall varsity Overwatch team. Each scholarship is worth $2,000. With the additional funding, Kauweloa hopes to expand scholarships to students on the other teams.

• Related 东精影业 News story: Aloha Pacific FCU starts $26K scholarship fund for 东精影业 Esports students, February 17, 2023

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and . More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

Free summer training classes are now available for sign up through University of Hawaiʻi Community Colleges鈥� Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative. These training programs offer individuals the chance to upskill and attain industry certifications, opening doors to employment opportunities, paid internships, and apprenticeship pathways. Registration is now open for a variety of online and in-person classes with varying durations though goodjobshawaii.org.

Trainings that will be offered starting in May 2024 include:

• Creative Industry jobs: Intro to esports careers and digital art fundamentals
• Technology jobs: Help desk technician prep, CompTIA A+, AI in the workplace and AWS cloud certifications
• Clean Energy and Skilled Trade jobs: Carpenter pre-apprenticeship, renewable energy and commercial driver鈥檚 license
• Healthcare jobs: Certified personal trainer, certified nurse aide and medical assisting
• City & County of Honolulu jobs: Police Academy prep, certification in court interpreter training,
• Microsoft Office and plant propagation for nursery workers

Since the launch of Good Jobs Hawaiʻi in 2023, more than 4,000 residents throughout the state have enrolled in free training offered through the program.

“The Good Jobs Hawaiʻi initiative is focused on ensuring our state鈥檚 economic future has a skilled and local workforce ready to meet the demands of our high-growth industries,” said Erika Lacro, vice president for 东精影业 Community Colleges. “These free training classes being offered to Hawaiʻi residents provide an invaluable opportunity to upskill, paving the way for a successful future filled with promising career prospects.”

Free for most participants

More than $3 million in funding is available from various funding sources for tuition. Eligible applicants receive tuition assistance for courses and other training costs such as industry certification exam fees. The Good Jobs Hawaiʻi program is free for most eligible participants, since many of the trainings provide a 100% tuition subsidy to cover all costs.

In addition to the free tuition, each participant is also supported by a Good Jobs Hawaiʻi navigator, who provides one-on-one support to ensure a student鈥檚 success. Their services include offering college and career advising, referring to community partners for support services, facilitating connections to employers, and providing various forms of financial assistance.

To apply online for current training or to learn more visit Good Jobs Hawaiʻi.

Esports, digital creative industries

In the creative industries sector, an exciting esports experiential learning pathway is set to start in fall of 2024 for students from all 东精影业 campuses.

“We encourage interested applicants to apply now as seats are limited. The training will provide an unprecedented experience of academic instruction, industry mentorship, and esports internships in Hawaiʻi. The 东精影业 Esports program is a three-time nominated collegiate program of the year and winner of the 2022 national award,” said Nyle Sky Kauweloa, director of 东精影业 Esports.

The new online digital art fundamentals course prepares students for jobs in the rapidly evolving creative industries sector.

“This course offers a blend of introductory theory and practical skills essential for a digital media landscape that affects everything from education to digital marketing, telehealth to e-commerce, social media to esports,” said Associate Professor Adam Moura, coordinator for the New Media Arts Program at Kapiʻolani Community College.

Healthcare sector training

In the healthcare sector, a new personal trainer program hosted online for statewide participants by University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo in collaboration with 东精影业 Maui College offers the opportunity to attain the industry recognized ACE (American Council of Exercise) Industry Certification.

“The training provides students with the foundational knowledge and skills required to pursue an actual personal trainer certification from an accredited organization. It equips them with the educational groundwork needed to design safe and effective exercise programs, increasing their credibility and marketability in Hawaiʻi‘s vibrant fitness industry,” said Ozan Atala臒, department chair in kinesiology and exercise sciences at University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo.

Technology fields

In the technology sector, a new help desk technician prep course leading to an internship with local managed service providers (MSPs) for Oʻahu residents will begin in May.

“The value of this training isn鈥檛 just about fixing computers, it鈥檚 about building the confidence to tackle any problem that may come your way,” said Branden Baker of InTech, one of the MSPs offering paid internships.

Financial support provided by the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Economic Development Administration, and City and County of Honolulu. Grants from the Ascendium Education Group, Hawaiʻi Community Foundation and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation support the 东精影业 Community Colleges鈥� coordination with industry partners in targeted sectors identified as recession-resilient in , issued by the Hawaiʻi Executive Collaborative.

Collegiate esports is trending toward more gaming experiences on mobile platforms. To keep universities in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific at the forefront of the industry, the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 hosted Hawaiʻi鈥檚 first Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament.

Eight collegiate teams from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, University of Guam, Northern Marianas College and Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi battled it out for the Aloha Collegiate Cup over the past week. The finals, featuring two teams from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and one team from Brigham Young University–Hawaiʻi, were held at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 iLab on April 21. 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s Varsity X team won over 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补’s Varsity Y team in a marathon 4-3 final match.

“It’s the first Pan South-Pacific tournament in esports for Mobile Legends and mobile esports,” said 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa. “That also marks an important pivot point for us across the state. I hope to make this into a broader league with other universities.”

东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports students also produced the live tournament broadcast on YouTube. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is one of the most successful and widely played mobile esports games globally.

Traditionally thought of as games played on a personal computer, esports has shifted to be played on mobile phones, which has been critical to closing the gap around the accessibility and affordability of technologies for students. According to Statista, .

The 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program launched the first Mobile Legends: Bang Bang varsity team in North America in fall 2023, giving students who have been brought up in a mobile-first environment more opportunities to join the team. This Aloha Collegiate Cup tournament was one of the ways Kauweloa is expanding participation across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

“We’ve been successful, not only with our game, but with the community as well,” said Jerome Carl Castillo, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team captain and tournament organizer. “I think that’s what we’re trying to push because we’re not here to just play, we’re here to grow a community. We’re pretty proud of what we’ve achieved so far in these past few months.”

Alison Chuang, a 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 Mobile Legends: Bang Bang Varsity X player, added, “We’ve had some offline meetups for Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and the turnout was pretty great. It was really nice just getting to know people within the community that also play. If you are attending 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 or any of the 东精影业 campuses please come by and see if you would be interested in joining us.”

In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, players compete in teams of five to defeat the opposing team鈥檚 base while controlling their own hero character. Each hero has unique abilities and characteristics, and players can choose from a wide variety of heroes to suit their play style. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was the second and third most watched esports tournament in 2023 with a peak viewership count of more than five million.

“Collaborating with 东精影业, Northern Marianas College and BYU in this esports tournament marks a significant stride in bridging campuses across the Pacific,” said Ken San Nicolas, University of Guam esports manager. “The greatest obstacle to a long-term goal is often showing commitment and putting components in action. We have now moved past that hurdle. I extend my gratitude to the leadership at 东精影业 and Sky Kauweloa for spearheading much of this endeavor. Beyond fostering connections within our esports programs, this initiative has prompted collaboration even among our IT departments, presenting avenues for future partnerships across various fronts.rdquo;

.

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

—By Marc Arakaki

Eight collegiate teams from Hawaiʻi and the Pacific will battle it out in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 first ever Mobile Legends: Bang Bang tournament to become the winner of the Aloha Collegiate Cup.

Hosted by the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 esports program, the event is April 21, from noon–4 p.m., at the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 iLab. Participating institutions include 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, the University of Guam, Northern Marianas College and another Hawaiʻi university.

Traditionally thought of as PC games, esports has recently shifted to be played on mobile phones, which has been critical to closing the gap around the accessibility and affordability of technologies for students. 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports Program Director Nyle Sky Kauweloa said mobile esports is the future of collegiate esports, and 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 location in the Pacific and Asia-Pacific ties have allowed the program to pivot to mobile games that not all programs in the U.S. are able to.

More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program

The 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program launched the first varsity Mobile Legends: Bang Bang team for North America in fall 2023, giving students who have been brought up in a mobile-first environment more opportunities to join the team. This tournament is one of the ways Kauweloa is expanding participation across Hawaiʻi and the Pacific.

“I’m cognizant of how important this game is to our own players in Hawaiʻi,” Kauweloa said. “This is a game that is deeply embedded into the local Filipino community as a means of fostering relationships and connections. In our recent local Mobile Legends: Bang Bang meet-up, we had players who ranged in backgrounds from middle school to medical professionals. This is extremely unusual to find in most esports environments, and thus why I want 东精影业 Esports to be supportive of what is taking place with mobile esports.”

In Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, players compete in teams of five to defeat the opposing team鈥檚 base while controlling their own hero character. Each hero has unique abilities and characteristics, and players can choose from a wide variety of heroes to suit their play style. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang was the second and third most watched esports tournament in 2023 with a peak viewership count of more than five million.

If you are planning to watch the matches in person, you are asked to . If you are unable to make it out to the iLab for the tournament, you can .

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and pages.

The esports scene at the University of Hawaiʻi took a major leap forward as students from seven 东精影业 campuses engaged in friendly competition at the 2024 Kawaii Kon.

Held at the Hawaiʻi Convention Center, March 29–31, students from 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补, 东精影业 West Oʻahu, 东精影业 Hilo, Leeward Community College, Kapiʻolani CC, Windward CC and Kauaʻi CC participated in a Super Smash Bros. tournament.

“The overall purpose of the Smash tournament is to not only offer students a highly competitive venue for esports, but to also have them experience the larger (and extremely popular) digital games, anime, and cosplay events locally,” said Nyle Sky Kauweloa, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program director. “This is not just a tournament, but an entire cultural experience for the students.”

“This was my second time attending the 东精影业 collegiate tournament, and it was just as awesome to see all the campuses come together in spirited and friendly competition,” said 东精影业 Hilo student Logan Nobriga. “I really appreciated how supportive players were, not just of their own teams, but of the other teams as well. Hilo came and gave it our all, and I’m really grateful our new players had the chance to experience some competition and got to show their skill to the other campuses.”

With more than 20,000 attendees over the three-day event, the success of the 东精影业 esports programs were on full display for the Kawaii Kon fans.

“Kapiʻolani‘s debut at the Kawaii Kon tournament was a significant step for our club, having been established just two months prior,” said Adam Moura, Kapiʻolani CC instructor and esports advisor. “It was a great opportunity for growth and learning, and we came away from it inspired to continue developing our skill for future competitions.”

Keala Chock, Leeward CC vice chancellor for academic affairs, added, “For Leeward Community College’s students to be part of systemwide esports events is not just about competition; it’s about fostering a sense of community, collaboration, and innovation among our students, shaping them into well-rounded individuals prepared for the challenges of the future.”

Continuing collaboration

While the tournament at Kawaii Kon is the one event each year where 东精影业 brings together students from several campuses together to compete, organizers hope to increase the collaboration throughout the year. The esports programs would like to acknowledge Southwest Airlines for flying in students from Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi, Bank of Hawaii for 3D-printing trophies, Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union for providing scholarships and the Academy for Creative Media System (ACM System) for funding the program.

“Just as ACM System started at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 and now supports programs on all 10 东精影业 campuses, my discussions about funding esports with President Lassner six years ago always had the goal of rolling this out to every 东精影业 campus that wants to participate,” said Chris Lee, founder and director of ACM System. “I am very grateful to President Lassner who brought on Sky Kauweloa and his team to grow 东精影业 Esports to the global powerhouse it is today and even more proud to see so many of our campuses and students engaging through esports.”

More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

The Pueo Gaming esports club now holds a collegiate title. In February, the club received a trophy for winning its first championship in League of Legends in the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) Emergents West Division in December.

“This championship helped recognize the school and the club at a national level,” said Garrett Lau, president of Pueo Gaming. “Most colleges don鈥檛 hold an esports title yet, so it鈥檚 nice to still be one of the first schools to do it.”

Pueo Gaming League of Legends team members Melanie Denda, Trey Lum, Ari Nicholson, Cyrus Olivas, Josh Sato, and Darryl Tsutsui represented 东精影业 West Oʻahu on December 6, in the finals match against Mid-America Christian University (MACU) from Oklahoma.

Nationally competitive

The NECC Emergents West Division finals match for (LoL)—a team-based strategy game where two teams of five champions face off to destroy the other team鈥檚 base—was a best-of-five series that lasted about five hours.

“I have been part of this team for a few years, and each time we played it was so much fun!” said Olivas, Pueo Gaming LoL team captain. “ This time around it seemed like winning was an actual possibility so it became stressful quickly, but that never took away from the enjoyment of the experience.”

The esports club was founded in 2020 and didn鈥檛 begin national competition until 2021. Since then, Pueo Gaming has competed in both local and national tournaments in various game titles.

Lau added, “Thank you to everyone who supported us and we hope to keep making all of you proud in the future as we look to bring home more championships to 东精影业 West 翱驶补丑耻!&谤诲辩耻辞;

—By Zenaida Serrano Arvman

The Women of 东精影业 Esports (Women of 东精影业E), an organization within the award-winning University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 esports program, has achieved a program milestone: competing in its first national tournament.

The organization was founded in 2022 to support women and all marginalized genders in esports at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补. Several of its players competed against more than a dozen institutions in a Valorant competition called the Aurora Series in February 2024. While the team didn鈥檛 capture the top spot, 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program director Nyle Sky Kauweloa said it wasn鈥檛 as much about winning as it was getting the players experience, and playing against and interacting with other women across the country.

“Taking part in the Aurora Series allowed our students to interact, socialize and interface with a larger community of women and non-binary players,” Kauweloa said. “That鈥檚 the mission of these tournaments. It鈥檚 not so much about being the best.”

Read more about the Women of 东精影业E

“We only had a couple of practices together before competing so our main goal was to try our best and play well as a team,” Zelda Cole said. “After competing against some crazy good teams, we all felt inspired and excited for the potential of Women of 东精影业E. It’s always been a dream to play in a supportive community with other girls. Being able to turn to them, fist bump, laugh at our mistakes, and cheer each other on side by side was so special and I can’t wait to compete with them again.”

Haley Teramoto added, “This past Aurora tournament was my first time competing in any video game at a higher level, and while we may have lost I felt like it was a really good learning experience for us. We had fun implementing what we’d learned into a match with actual stakes and got to see the level of other teams in the field. Now that we’ve been practicing as a team for a bit longer now I’m excited to see how much we’ve improved in this upcoming tournament.”

Cora Kennedy, the founder of the Aurora Series, explained why she started the series for marginalized genders in esports.

“I have always recognized the power of marginalized gender competitive spaces because, for many players, it is a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space that they feel comfortable starting out their competitive journey in,” Kennedy said. “These players are typically ignored and disenfranchised in the traditional esports infrastructure, so by creating a dedicated space for them, they can grow and thrive in a place free from the harassment and trappings of traditional esports communities.”

The Women of 东精影业E will be participating in the Collegiate Esports Commissioners Cup later this spring.

For more about Women of 东精影业E, .

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and . More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) has become an increasingly popular mobile esports game worldwide designed to be played on mobile devices. The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 esports program, led by director Nyle Sky Kauweloa, is using the platform to bring together players from Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific region to increase the level of play, while bringing together the gaming community.

In preparation for a major MLBB tournament Kauweloa is planning for April, he and the 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补 esports program hosted an offline meetup session, February 25, at 东精影业 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 iLab. Nearly 100 attended to learn more about the game and meet directly with esports leaders.

“With our MLBB leadership at 东精影业E, we have worked with Moonton (the video game publisher for MLBB) to actually get the 东精影业 meetup featured in the pregame announcements within the actual game so that everyone who opens the game will see our event,” Kauweloa said. “This is definitely a first for 东精影业 Esports. To put that into perspective, the game officially registered 1 billion downloads as of 2022.”

Representatives from Moonton attended, as well as OneQode, a company responsible for creating the optimal networking connections for the April tournament. Kauweloa also reached out to the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaiʻi, Filipino Jaycees of Honolulu and the Filipino Community Center to spread the word about the meetup session and tournament.

“The goal of leveraging Mobile Legends is to catalyze two conversations around esports in Hawaiʻi: 1) That mobile technologies address issues of the digital divide in ways that PCs aren’t able to, and 东精影业 Esports is here to be a pillar for that cause, and 2) this is a game that is heavily embedded in our local Filipino community, not only for competitive play but as a means of social inclusion and interactions,” Kauweloa said. “As the director of 东精影业 Esports, I am seeking to position our program as a means of extending accessibility to underserved and underrecognized communities.”

In MLBB, players compete in teams of five to defeat the opposing team’s base while controlling their own hero character. Each hero has unique abilities and characteristics, and players can choose from a wide variety of heroes to suit their playstyle. MLBB was the second and third most watched esports tournament in 2023 with a peak viewership count of more than five million.

东精影业 Esports receives funding from the . Visit the 东精影业 Esports team鈥檚 and pages. More stories on 东精影业鈥檚 esports program.