What started out as a five team tournament in 1991 has grown into the greatest international lacrosse tournament in the world. The smiles on people's faces all weekend told the story. The Hawaii Tournament is synonymous with camaraderie, celebration, World class Lacrosse, and of course, Aloha.

The games take place at Kapiolani Park, located at the base of Diamond Head Crater and across the street from Waikiki Beach. Six fields were laid out, with the first games beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. Each team was to play a minimum of four games, two games on Saturday, and two or three games on Sunday.

A bonus to the tournament is that just about everything is in walking distance from your hotel. Throw on your shades, put on your board shorts, apply sun block and put on your flip flops, it's go time. Whether it be riding a longboard at legendary Waikiki Beach, cruising around town on a moped, or staring at beautiful bodies while quaffing a drink at Duke's, one thing is for sure, there is an activity for everyone. Before the off field activities were to begin players still had two games to play on Saturday.

By the time the games were finished on Saturday afternoon, there was a clearer picture of who would be contending for titles. In the women's division Brand Elite, Northwest, and the Crease Monkettes were all 2-0 heading into Sunday. The men's master's division played a round robin format with the Silver Crease Monkeys going 2-0 and the Ladner Pioneers, Hawaii Masters and Atlantic Sportswear/Brine all believing they could reach the final with some solid play on Sunday. The men's elite division had the Crease Monkeys, Marin, and Wimmer Solutions cruising to 2-0 records, with the Olympic Club beating Carl Spackler and the Bushwood Country Club team 10-5 in a hard fought game to go 2-0 as well.

Teams made their way back to the fields Sunday morning, with many players looking banged up from the effects of a late night in town. One of the biggest challenges of the tournament is striking the balance between enjoying the pleasures of paradise and still being able to play big time lacrosse come face off. As always, T-Rex Productions came through with a variety of off-field activities. The only thing that can match the intensity of the games during the day are the legendary parties that take place at night.

The women's final matched the Crease Monkette's against last year's champion Brand Elite. The Monkette's proved to be overmatched by the stacked Brand Elite team losing 14-1. The men's master's final featured the Silver Crease Monkeys versus the Ladner Pioneers from Canada. Ladner battled hard but the Harry Jackson and Jay Bloom-led Silver Crease Monkeys pulled away for a 10-4 championship. The men's elite final was the equivalent of watching an MLL game on ESPN2. The Wimmer Solutions team beefed up their roster from last year, and it showed. Tournament MVP and face off machine Andy Corno made life difficult for the Crease Monkeys controlling the ball in critical moments. The players treated the fans to another classic final, with Wimmer Solutions winning their first ever men's elite championship, 11-9.

What has become as sure as the surf in Waikiki is the involvement and passion of the Japanese teams in the tournament. The teams from Japan can be seen soaking up all things aloha throughout the weekend. Names like Powell, Boyle, and Harrison kept busy throwing shakas and smiling with their newest friends for the cameras. It was common for the Japanese teams to arrive at 7 a.m. for a game at 9 a.m. and go through a detailed pre-game warm up while their opponent was still pulling themselves out of bed and shaking out the cobwebs from a wild night in Waikiki. Most Japanese players have only been playing lacrosse a couple years, but textbook slow breaks and back door cuts could be seen all weekend. Lacrosse fever has hit Japan, and it shows every year in Hawaii.

The awards presentation took place immediately after the men's elite final with all the winning teams and runner-ups receiving ceremonial leis. The Hawaii Lacrosse Club gave special thanks to lead sponsor's LuLu's Surf Club, Warrior, Tesoro, and US Lacrosse. Hawaii was also celebrating becoming the newest chapter of US Lacrosse. Chapter President (and Master's Division MVP) Harry Jackson took time to give mahalos to everyone who helped make this year's tournament the best yet. A special recognition should be given to the high school volunteers, especially the Kapolei Lacrosse Club, who did a great job supporting the event all weekend.

The last event of the weekend was the Halloween Party at LuLu's Surf Club, conveniently located across the street from Kapiolani Park. When veteran players pack for the Hawaii Tournament they are always sure to bring along a great costume. It was the last chance for all tournament participants to get together, get loose, and enjoy in the good times that the lacrosse community specializes in. Some of the partygoers included Richard Simmons, Napoleon Dynamite and Rex Quan Do ("Bow to your Sensei!!!"), Hunter S. Thompson, a group of beauty pageant contestants, and the baseball gang from "Warriors." The players left it all on the playing fields, but were still able to dig deep for one more go around. The DJ kept players cutting the rug until last call. It was truly a celebration of a memorable weekend of surf, sand, sun, and world class lacrosse.

Mark your calendar for the 2006 Hawaii Tournament: October 27th, 28th, and 29th. Next year is sure to be even bigger and better. The men's and women's divisions will be expanding the 16 teams each. The men's master's division will expand to 8 teams, and there will be a new Men's Grand Master's Division. Mahalo to all the great people and players that made this year's tournament so special. Aloha!

Thursday, October 27, 2005
ALL HAWAII US LACROSSE MEMBER MEETING at 6:30pm, located at 1515 Wilder Avenue, Honolulu 96822. Beth Reisinger will be introducing the new US Lacrosse - Hawaii Chapter Board to the Hawaii US Lacrosse Members including youth, men, and women. All are welcome. Please let us know if you would like to attend and show your support of Hawaii Lacrosse.

Friday, October 28, 2005

CREASE MONKEYS/MONKETTES YOUTH CLINIC from 4:00-5:30pm, located at Kapiolani Park. The Crease Monkeys/Crease Monkettes will be doing a free clinic for kids. All participants must be US Lacrosse members. Kids can sign up by contacting Jeff Overton at jeffo57@yahoo.com.

TEAM CHECK IN from 4-6pm, located at Kapiolani Park. Mandatory for one representative from each team to check-in, receive your team packet, reconcile rosters, etc.

US LACROSSE WELCOME RECEPTION from 7:00-9:00pm. located at Lu Lu's Waikiki Surf Club at 2589 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu 96815. For team reps plus 2 guests. You should have received an Evite from Beth Reisinger, US Lacrosse, on Monday, October 3. If not please email breisinger@uslacrosse.org to rsvp.

Saturday, October 29, 2005

15TH ANNUAL HAWAII LACROSSE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT from 8am-5pm at Kapiolani Park. 6 fields of play: 11 Men’s Elite, 5 Men’s Masters, and 13 Women’s teams including all of last year’s champs: Crease Monkeys – Men’s Elite, Grey Long Island Jesters – Men’s Masters, and Brand Elite who won last year under the name of Long Island Jesters in the Women’s Division. We continue to host many Japan teams in all divisions who will be out in full force as they continue to support Hawaii lacrosse!

Sunday, October 30, 2005

15TH ANNUAL HAWAII LACROSSE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT from 8am - 4:30pm at Kapiolani Park. Games continue under blue skies at the base of Diamond Head crater!

15th ANNUAL HAWAII LACROSSE INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT AWARDS CEREMONY held Immediately following the Finals at Kapiolani Park. Awards this year include: Don Gladstone Award; Kane, Wahine, & Masters 2005 Champions; Kane, Wahine, & Masters 2005 2nd Place; Kane, Wahine, & Masters 2005 MVP's; Kane, Wahine, & Masters US Lacrosse Sportsmanship Team Awards.

HALLOWEEN PARTY at 10pm at Lu Lu’s Waikiki Surf Club on 2589 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu 96815. See Pictures of the Party

Monday, October 31, 2005

WARRIOR LACROSSE JAPANESE CLINIC from 11am-2pm at Kapiolani Park. Please also be reminded that: As always, we will have Trainers on site for medical needs throughout the tournament.
Don’t forget to visit the main tent to purchase some Hawaii Lacrosse merchandise and check out new information from the US Lacrosse information booth. Aloha Youth Lacrosse Association will be selling refreshments and all proceeds directly support youth lacrosse in Hawaii. Lu Lu’s Waikiki beach Club will be offering on site concessions as well as specials at their Waikiki Beach Club Restaurant (corner of Kalakaua and Kapahulu).