As the highly anticipated 2025 University of Hawai‘i men’s volleyball season approaches, former Rainbow Warrior All-American Jason Olive is preparing to launch a new event celebrating the sport.
The Hawaiian Island Volleyball Festival, also known as Island Fest, will debut in June 2025 as a five-day celebration of volleyball and island culture. Olive, one of the event’s founders and organizers, describes it as a unique opportunity to showcase Hawai‘i’s deep connection to the sport.
“Everyone in the volleyball world knows Hawai‘i is one of the sport’s great epicenters,” said Olive, who now resides in Los Angeles. “There’s no better place in the world to create volleyball memories. It’s not a hard sell—come to paradise and enjoy incredible volleyball competition.”
A standout at the University of Hawai‘i, Olive made history as an AVCA First-Team All-American and led the Rainbow Warriors to their first NCAA Final Four appearance in 1995. He set multiple school records and was awarded the inaugural Governor’s Award for Academic Excellence, the Jack Bonham Award, and was named the university’s top Scholar-Athlete.
In addition to his collegiate accolades, Olive recently won the 50s USAV Open National Championship with Balboa Bay in 2024.
“I experienced it first hand. Hawaii is special and the sport of volleyball’s place in Hawaii is special. That’s a big part of what we will be celebrating,” said Olive.
Island Fest will feature international youth tournaments, post-season club events, and competition for players of all levels, from keiki to kūpuna. The festival will span both indoor and beach volleyball, with opportunities for amateur and professional athletes to participate.
The event will also celebrate island culture, integrating Hawaiian traditions through ceremonies, music, and a marketplace, perpetuating and introducing local customs to visiting players and fans.
“The one thing we haven’t had in the islands is a post-season tournament that highlights the amazing players from Hawai‘i,” Olive said. “Island Fest will create a visual and physical expression of what ‘island style’ volleyball means, celebrating the pillars of the sport here in Hawai‘i.”
The Island Fest organizing team includes notable volleyball names such as Logan Tom, Allen Allen, Dietra Collins-Parker, Kamalu Makekau-Whittaker, Dr. Sarah Solomon (Mason), and Anchulee Caranza.
EVENT SCHEDULE:
JUNE 11 – WELCOME MELE
JUNE 11 – NIKE US VOLLEYBALL CLINIC
JUNE 12 – OPENING CEREMONY
JUNE 12-14 – INDOOR YOUTH ISLAND FEST CHAMPIONSHIP
JUNE 12-14 – ISLAND FEST POP-UP MAKEKE
JUNE 13-14 – AAU BEACH HONOLULU CHAMPIONSHIP
JUNE 14 – QUEEN OF THE COURT CHAMPIONSHIP
JUNE 15 – ISLAND FUN
JUNE 15 – CLOSING CEREMONY LUAU
Island Fest organizers aim to grow the event into one of the largest volleyball festivals in the country.
For more information on the event, schedule, venues, and registration, visit https://www.hawaiivbfest.com/
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