Hawaii leads US high school football calendar with early August start
The 2026 season commences a week before mainland states, with state championships set for late November
Hawaii has commenced the 2026 high school football season, beginning on Friday, 7 August. The Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) initiated play a full week ahead of other US states, including Alaska and Nevada, which begin their seasons on 14 August, and Georgia, which starts on 15 August.
The HHSAA executive director, Chris Chun, stated that the early start accommodates three full sports seasons, concluding in early May before commencement ceremonies. Schools were permitted to begin practices on 20 July, followed by a mandatory 14-calendar-day heat acclimatisation period before games.
The split schedule (Friday and Saturday) is designed to manage officiating crew availability, allow for Junior Varsity doubleheaders, and avoid conflicts with mainland college football broadcasts due to time zone differences.
In the Open Division, Campbell and Kailua are aiming to repeat as champions. In Division II, Kamehameha-Maui is attempting a three-peat.
State championships are scheduled for 27 and 28 November.
