In 1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments was signed into law, transforming the landscape of education and athletics for women and girls across the United States. One of the driving forces behind this groundbreaking legislation was Hawaii’s own Patsy Takemoto Mink, the first woman of color elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Mink co-authored Title IX to ensure that no person, on the basis of sex, would be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
Her vision and relentless advocacy opened doors for millions of girls and women to participate in school sports, opportunities that were rare or nonexistent before. For Hawaii’s young female athletes, Mink’s legacy lives on in every practice, game, and championship they play. Today, more than 50 years later, her work continues to create new pathways for equity and empowerment in athletics.
In 2025, Hawaii officially recognized girls flag football as a high school sport, marking an exciting milestone for female athletes. The decision to sanction this sport, made by the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA), is not just about adding a new game to the roster; it’s about offering young women in Hawaii new opportunities for athletic growth, leadership, and recognition. The sport’s official status has ignited enthusiasm across schools, coaches, and communities, making this year the first official season of girls flag football.
Chris Chun, the executive director of the HHSAA, explained that the move to officially sanction the sport stemmed from overwhelming community support and its rapid growth. “There was a lot of community support, and the public schools conducted a poll on which new sport should be introduced. Flag football topped that poll,” he shared. This overwhelming response indicated a clear demand for the sport, one that had already begun to make waves at the grassroots level.
Zoey Naboa, a Campbell High School athlete who is part of the first official season, reflected on how the recognition has changed the landscape for female athletes. “Being a part of this season makes me feel like I’m a pioneer in this sport and a role model for girls who aspire to play this sport in high school,” she said. It’s an exciting time, not only for those already involved in flag football but for future athletes who will now have the chance to compete in an organized and supported setting.
Of course, there were challenges along the way, particularly the competition with other spring sports like softball and water polo. Chun acknowledged this, stating, “Softball teams weren’t truly losing key players, mostly players who were doing it for fun and wanted to do a spring sport for their offseason, and water polo has been losing players for a long time now.” Despite some initial concerns, the decision to move forward was made with the bigger picture in mind: creating more opportunities for girls in sports.
Will Naboa, who also supports the expansion of girls flag football, noted that this new addition to the sports scene isn’t just about competition, it’s about fostering an inclusive atmosphere. “The addition of flag football will bring more athletes into the mix, and that’s a win for everyone,” he said. His perspective aligns with the growing understanding that this sport is meant to support all athletes, not detract from others.
With the sanctioning of girls flag football, opportunities for female athletes are expanding. Chun emphasized how important this recognition is: “It legitimizes the sport for athletes who’ve been playing it in Hawaii long before it became a high school sport.” This official status gives these athletes the chance to compete at a higher level, with better resources and infrastructure to support their efforts.
Ojastro, a Hawaii high school sports personality and broadcaster, explained that this growth is something that’s been building for years. “The more schools we get involved in, the stronger this sport will become,” he said. As more schools begin to add flag football teams, the sport will continue to gain traction, offering girls throughout Hawaii a chance to develop their skills, build leadership, and work as part of a team.
Chun also highlighted the role of media exposure in growing the sport. “Media exposure is crucial. It’s going to help people see what’s going on and get excited about the sport,” he said. With local outlets like OC16 providing coverage of the games, the visibility of girls flag football is on the rise. This increased exposure will be vital in encouraging even more players and fans to get involved in the sport.
For Ojastro, the media’s role in spreading awareness of flag football cannot be understated. “The media is giving this sport a voice, and that’s so important for its continued success,” he explained. The more attention the sport gets, the more likely it is to inspire the next generation of athletes.
The future of girls flag football in Hawaii looks bright, with more schools expected to join the growing movement. Chun shared his optimism, stating, “We’re working on expanding the sport to more schools. Some are on board, while others aren’t, so we are targeting them.” The push to get more schools involved will help ensure that the sport remains accessible to all athletes, regardless of where they live.
Zoey Naboa is also hopeful for the future, saying, “This sport has been growing, and to now see it as an official sport, it feels amazing.” With the official sanctioning of flag football, athletes like Zoey will continue to pave the way for future generations, helping to normalize and popularize the sport for young girls across the state.
The official recognition of girls flag football is a monumental step for women’s sports in Hawaii. By providing more avenues for competition and development, the HHSAA is helping create a legacy of opportunities for female athletes. This decision will ensure that girls in Hawaii have equal opportunities to thrive in sports, building confidence and leadership skills that will serve them throughout their lives. With each passing season, more young women will have the chance to excel in a sport that was once only available to their male counterparts, further breaking down barriers and inspiring the next generation of female athletes.
