We the undersigned call for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to recognize a Hawaii National Olympic Committee to be the organizers of a Hawaii National Olympic Team to represent the Hawaiian Islands in the Olympic Games.  

Since the 1920s Hawaii has produced dozens of outstanding, medal-winning Olympians, who all had to compete under the USA banner. It is only fitting that the IOC allow a Hawaii Olympic team so Hawaii's athletes may at last compete under the Hawaiian flag.

The IOC has thankfully chosen to add surfing as an official sport starting in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. As everyone knows, surfing was invented by ancient Hawaiian chiefs and kings; and surfing’s spinoffs: skateboarding, snowboarding, wind and kite surfing, stand-up paddle-boarding, have all become immensely popular all over the world.

The World Surf League and all other international surfing events have always considered Hawaii surfers as representatives of Hawaii instead of the United States. Hawaiian winners of competitions worldwide drape themselves in the Hawaiian flag, rather than the U.S. flag. Furthermore, both Guam and Puerto Rico have their own National Olympic Teams despite being U.S. territories. 

It's a shame that without Hawaii having a berth in the Olympics, Hawaii's top athletes will have to compete under the USA flag instead of proudly representing their island home. 

We call on the IOC to please allow a Hawaii Olympic Team to participate in the Olympic Games. 

Further reading:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/17/sports/olympics/olympic-surfing-hawaii-flag.html#click=https://t.co/h6tFj91Mr6​

https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/05/23/sports/dave-reardon-up-to-surfers-if-they-want-to-join-flag-controversy/?HSA=bbfabc3bc4670b7d792a59735656b9fe92e03e17