Surfing has been a high school sport since 2004, but a lack of funding and state support has kept many schools from starting their own competitive teams.

Many Hawaiʻi high schools are gearing up for their first-ever competitive surfing seasons this year as officials unveiled plans for a statewide student championship meet in early May on Maui.

But while the dates and location were announced Monday, state officials said they are still working on details such as how many schools will have competitive surf teams this year and what the format of the championship meet will be.

Hawaiʻi made surfing a high school sport more than 20 years ago and is home to internationally recognized surfers like gold medalist Carissa Moore. But the Hawaiʻi High School Athletic Association has never held a cham

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