{"id":213034,"date":"2025-04-01T12:32:19","date_gmt":"2025-04-01T22:32:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/?p=213034"},"modified":"2025-04-01T12:33:04","modified_gmt":"2025-04-01T22:33:04","slug":"hawaii-esports-invitational","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hawaii.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/01\/hawaii-esports-invitational\/","title":{"rendered":"National esports event draws hundreds to UH<\/abbr> West O\u02bbahu"},"content":{"rendered":"Reading time: <\/span> 2<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span>
\"people
(Photo courtesy: Garrett Lau)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

More than 900 people attended the Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Esports Invitational<\/a>, March 22 and 23 at the University of Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>–West Oʻahu<\/span> Academy for Creative Media (ACM<\/abbr>) Facility. The esports event brought together collegiate teams from the continental U.S. and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>, including six UH<\/abbr> campuses.<\/p>\n

\"people<\/p>\n

The Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Esports Invitational welcomed players from Boise State University and Michigan State University, who battled against local teams from UH<\/abbr> Hilo, UH<\/abbr> M\u0101noa and UH<\/abbr> West Oʻahu<\/span>; Kapiʻolani<\/span>, Kauaʻi<\/span> and Leeward Community Colleges; Chaminade University; and Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Pacific University. Players competed in “Valorant,” a tactical shooter game, and “Super Smash Bros<\/abbr>.,” a platform fighter game.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\"people
Participants of the 1st UH<\/abbr> Esports Systems Leadership and Student Summit<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

“The turnout far exceeded previous years, with players, families, and friends coming together from across the United States to celebrate esports in Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span>,” said Paul Todkill, Vanta director of marketing.<\/p>\n

Â鶹´«Ã½<\/span> Esports Invitational overall winners:<\/p>\n