KAILUA-KONA — The bleachers were packed full of spectators at the Kona Community Aquatic Center (KCAC) and tents representing local swim clubs lined the perimeter of the pool as 20 teams and 425 athletes from across the state descended upon the Kona pool for the 2024 Hawaiian Age Group State Swimming Championships.
The atmosphere was filled with energy and anticipation as swimmers ranging in age from 10 and under to 18 years took to the pristine waters for the 4-day short course championships. The competition commenced last Thursday with Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth inaugurating the swim races, culminating in the final showdowns on Sunday.
The last time KCAC hosted the Age-Group State Swimming Championships was in 2017 when island teams competed at what was a run-down aquatic facility. Since then, KCAC has undergone a stunning metamorphosis thanks to the support from the Kona community who worked with the county to make over $400,000 in improvements — boosting KCAC to what is now the premier aquatic facility in the state to hold championship meets.
“It feels really good because we worked really hard within our community to make this happen,” said Dave Gibson, the head coach and president of the Kona Aquatics Club. “But it’s also really gratifying when we get people who come here and we get the ‘wow’ from them as they haven’t realized how much we’ve done to the facility. That’s been a really good feeling and also hearing they want to come back. That’s when you know you’ve done something right — it’s when people want to come back again and again.”
Many of the upgrades occurred just in the last two years. From eight new starting blocks, a cutting-edge electric video scoreboard, the installation of an advanced UPF 50 shade-system above the bleachers, to the crisp rows of hanging competition flags and sparkly new lane lines — every detail is meticulously crafted to enhance the athlete and spectator experience. Not to mention the flagships blue and yellow colors of the Kona Aquatics Club that proudly adorns the aquatic facility.
“I do want to thank Mayor Mitch Roth who has been awesome to allow us to work with the county and the private partnerships to make many of these upgrades,” Gibson said. “Without him, we would’ve struggled to make many of these upgrades happen. The biggest benefit is that now the community can use this facility as their top-notch facility within the state.”
As the competition unfolded throughout the 4-day meet, athletes pushed themselves to strive for personal bests while chasing victory with every stroke. Many records were broken as participants walked away from the pool with personal best swims to their name. Two of those athletes happen to be Kona Aquatics swimmers ranked at the top of their division, both are proud to call KCAC their “home pool.”
Millie Knudson, a 12-year-old West Hawaii Explorations Academy seventh grader who has been swimming since she was six years old and coached by Gibson for the last four years, emerged as the number one girl to beat. Her jaw-dropping swim times certainly put a target on her back and a wide smile across her face.
“It’s going pretty good so far, and I’ve got some good times,” Knudson said of her performances. “I really like to be in the water and I really like to compete. I just kind of tell myself that I should go out there and try to win it. My favorite event is the 50-freestyle which is coming up later this morning.”
Her passion for the water explained why Knudson won seven out of eight events, with all of her finishing times designated as Age Group Western Zone (AGWZ) times. According to Gibson, her fast-finishing times qualifies Knudson to compete at a national level at her young age.
“It’s kind of a big deal,” Gibson explained. “To be making Age Group Western Zone times at her age is unbelievable. She’s got a bright future ahead.”
For 14-year-old Kona Aquatics swimmer Kiliheamaikalani Oka, “swimming has never been better!”
“I love swimming so much!” Oka said. “This is my sixth State Championships and I feel more confidence. My favorite event is the 200 IM out of all the events. I’m really fast in it and I like that it’s a combination of all the strokes which gives me an advantage. I’m really good at all strokes but if I had to pick, it would be my breaststroke and butterfly.”
Oka also happens to be the defending Triple Crown Open Water Swim Series women’s champion, a 1-mile swim series consisting of three events. Registration for the 2024 swim series will open on March 1, with the first 1-mile swim race — Anaehoomalu Splash — set for May 18 at Anaehoomalu Bay.
“I’m super excited!” Oka said. “I just can’t wait!”
Note: Combined team scores at the end of the 4-day Hawaii Age Group State Swimming Championships resulted to Oahu’s Kamehameha Swim Club in first place, Aulea Swim Club from Oahu in second, and the Kona Aquatics Club in third place.