For the first time in over 20 years, a new sport for girls in Hawai’i high schools will be available come spring 2025.

In a joint press conference Thursday morning at McKinley High School, the Hawai’i High School Athletic Association and the Hawai’i State Department of Education announced the start of varsity girls’ flag football as an official sport starting this school year.

Hawai’i becomes the 12th state in the country to sanction girls’ flag football as an official sport with a tentative start date of Feb. 27, 2025. It will be played using a 7-on-7 format.

This was made possible with the HHSAA and HIDOE teaming up with the NFL, Seattle Seahawks, Nike and many other private contributors to make high school girls’ flag football a reality.

“With the potential for 1,000 female athletes statewide to participate in the inaugural season, these young women are not just making history — they are trailblazing a path for future generations of female high school athletes. Their involvement will inspire and empower countless others in the years to come,” HIDOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi said. “The Department appreciates the partnership with HHSAA, our generous sponsors and our dedicated athletic directors and school administrators for providing this historic opportunity.”

“It is so profound that we are continuing to follow the legacy and the life work of Patsy T. Mink and Title IX,” said Lt. Governor Sylvia Luke, the state’s only elected woman in the Executive Branch.

All 44 public high schools across the state will be given the opportunity to compete, with the potential of private schools also getting involved. With multiple leagues getting involved, there will be also be a 12-team state tournament the week of April 21.

“Through these athletic opportunities, I have seen first-hand the benefits that education-based athletics offers,” said HHSAA Executive Director Chris Chun. “It is with great pride to know that we have expanded opportunities to female student-athletes beginning this very school year.”

McKinley senior Trishelle Domingo said that she is looking forward to being a part of her school’s inaugural flag football team.

“Girls’ flag football will be an amazing opportunity for girls who are interested in playing high school sports. There is no doubt that it will be enjoyed and that there is a high interest in the sport,” Domingo said. “I hope this excitement is seen throughout all of the high schools around the state. I am extremely excited to see an increase in student participation in sports, especially on the girls’ side.”

The first season of high school girls’ flag football will be covered through private sponsorships.

The NFL and Seahawks are providing grants for equipment while uniforms will be provided by Nike. The Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) is also donating protective headgear while Hawaii Dental Service is providing mouthguards and flags.

“It’s amazing to see the continued growth and adoption of girls’ flag football programs across the country, and we are thrilled that it’s become a state sanctioned sport in Hawai‘i,” Seattle Seahawks Vice President of Community Engagement & Legends Mario Bailey said. “The Seahawks are proud to continue our efforts across Hawai‘i to help grow their girls flag programs through clinics, events and grant funding, and give as many girls as possible the opportunity to play at the highest level.”

Washington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota is also supporting the new sport with funding through his Motiv8 Foundation.

“For year two and beyond, we are going to enlist the support of our friends in the legislature, and hopefully they will jump on board, as I am confident that they will to ensure that flag football is here for many years to come,” said Keith Amemiya, chair of the Governor’s Sports Task Force.

The addition comes at a time when girls’ flag football is exploding in popularity across the United States. According to the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS), 31 of the 51 state athletic associations are participating in girls’ flag football, either as a sanctioned sport or as a pilot program. In addition, both men and women’s flag football will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.