Special Thanks
The Pāʻani Challenge wants to extend a special mahalo to Kamehameha Schools Kapālama for their generous facilities support and the incredible KS team whose hard work made this event a success.
Step onto the mat and take part in our specialized wrestling clinic, where experienced coaches and athletes provide hands-on training, technique development, and motivational support. This is a unique opportunity to sharpen your skills, build confidence, and grow as both an athlete and individual.
We’re honored to have Clarissa Chun — Hawai‘i’s own Olympian and the head women’s wrestling coach at the University of Iowa—leading this clinic at The Pa‘ani Challenge for many years.
Following the clinic, girls of all experience levels are invited to compete in a statewide wrestling tournament designed to empower and inspire. Each participant will have the chance to wrestle in 3–4 matches, regardless of skill level, promoting self-confidence, personal growth, and a strong sense of camaraderie.
The 2025 Pāʻani Challenge Award Winners
The Clarissa Chun Clinic Award
This wrestler is being recognized for her outstanding work ethic during this year’s wrestling clinic, as well as having a positive “can do” attitude. These traits are tell-tale signs of greatness to come!
Adelyn Shelverton
Kalani High School
Hardware Hawaii - Most Pins Award
The Most Pins Award goes to the wrestler in the Open Division that has the highest number of pins, cumulatively throughout the tournament.
Zoey Okamura
Honoka‘a High School
American Savings Bank - Fighting Spirit Award
$1,000 awarded to the school of the winner of this award. As we all know, the value of sports competition extends beyond the physical benefits. The Fighting Spirit Award is a wrestler who has been identified by their coach as someone who has overcome great odds in life, and through their perseverance on and off the mat, has become an outstanding example and representative of their team, their school, our state and our sport. One wrestler is chosen out of all of the nominated girls, based upon the coaches’ recommendations as well as their attitude and perseverance.
Sandra Morales
Kealakehe High School
Department of Education - Most Outstanding Wrestler
(<130lb)
One wrestler from each of the above weight designations receives this award, as the most outstanding wrestler of The Pā‘ani Challenge. The award qualification speaks for itself, and is awarded based upon a poll of the coaches who were present.
Serah Yogi
Pearl City High School
Lundquist Family - Most Outstanding Wrestler
(≥130lb)
One wrestler from each of the above weight designations receives this award, as the most outstanding wrestler of The Pā‘ani Challenge. The award qualification speaks for itself, and is awarded based upon a poll of the coaches who were present.
Zaira Sugui
Moanalua High School
ConnectWorks Group - Best Novice Wrestler
(<130lb)
One wrestler from each of the above weight designations receives this award, as the most outstanding wrestler of The Pa‘ani Challenge. The award qualification speaks for itself, and is awarded based upon a poll of the coaches who were present.
Kinikapene Pieper
Pearl City High School
aio/ESPN Honolulu - Best Novice Wrestler
(≥130lb)
One wrestler from each of the above weight designations receives this award, as the most outstanding wrestler of The Pā‘ani Challenge. The award qualification speaks for itself, and is awarded based upon a poll of the coaches who were present.
Princess Brown
Damien High School
The Largest Girls Wrestling Tournament in the Nation!
Featuring:
- 3-4 Matches for each Wrestler
- Inspirational Speakers
- College & Career Fair
- Wrestling Clinic
- Coaches Clinic
Featured Speakers
Clarissa Chun, Wrestling Clinic Director
Clarissa Chun became the first head coach of the University of Iowa women’s wrestling team on Nov. 18, 2021, leading the newly established program.
Before Iowa, Chun served as an assistant coach for USA Wrestling’s women’s national team (2017–21), helping the team win 17 World medals (seven gold, four silver, six bronze) and four Olympic medals, including one gold.
A two-time Olympian and 2012 bronze medalist at 48 kg, Chun claimed gold at the 2008 World Championships in Tokyo, five U.S. Open titles, and four Pan American Championship golds in a decorated 18-year Senior-level career.
Chun was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2022, one of only four women to receive the honor. She is also a member of the Missouri Valley College Hall of Fame, Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, and Roosevelt High School Hall of Fame.
Clarissa Chun, Wrestling Clinic Director
Clarissa Chun became the first head coach of the University of Iowa women’s wrestling team on Nov. 18, 2021, leading the newly established program.
Before Iowa, Chun served as an assistant coach for USA Wrestling’s women’s national team (2017–21), helping the team win 17 World medals (seven gold, four silver, six bronze) and four Olympic medals, including one gold.
A two-time Olympian and 2012 bronze medalist at 48 kg, Chun claimed gold at the 2008 World Championships in Tokyo, five U.S. Open titles, and four Pan American Championship golds in a decorated 18-year Senior-level career.
Chun was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 2022, one of only four women to receive the honor. She is also a member of the Missouri Valley College Hall of Fame, Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame, and Roosevelt High School Hall of Fame.
Trisha Nomura, Inspirational Speaker
Trisha is the owner of Ascend Consulting, LLC where she leverages her background in leadership, accounting, human resources and operations to develop strategies and provide services for clients in many different industries. Prior to that, she spent 10 years with public accounting firms in Honolulu, and in 2014, she joined Hawaii Human Resources, Inc. where she was the Chief Operating Officer before the company’s acquisition by ProService Hawaii, where she was the Chief People Officer.
Her passion for the accounting profession led to her involvement with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Hawaii Society of Certified Public Accountants (HSCPA). In 2012, Trisha was selected to attend the AICPA Leadership Academy and credits this experience as being transformative for her career. She has since served on the AICPA’s Recruitment Committee and Women’s Initiatives Executive Committee, as an at-large Council member and a Board member of the Association. At the HSCPA, Trisha is currently the President-elect and has led the YCPA Squad, where she has guided the organization’s efforts in influencing students and young professionals about the career experiences of a CPA. She also serves as the treasurer for Kaneohe Little League.
Trisha is a graduate of Castle High School where she was a swimmer and a volunteer scorekeeper for the wrestling team. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration in Accounting from Creighton University and a Master’s of Accountancy degree from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She is married with two children and enjoys cooking and traveling.
Event Details & Sign Up
Interested in participating in the 2026 Pāʻani Challenge?
December 22 & 23, 2026
Kamehameha Schools Kapālama
More Information Coming Soon
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