Over 120 Keiki and Skateboarding Enthusiasts Take Over ʻAʻala Park for Annual REYES’ing Hope Skate Event Presented by American Savings Bank
Local partners and pro skateboarder Jaime Reyes return to support nearly 50 local middle school students with free boards, gear and mentorship
HONOLULU — On Saturday, Oct. 25, the spirit of skateboarding rolled through ʻAʻala Park once again, becoming a gathering place for Honolulu’s next generation of skateboarders as REYES’ing Hope hosted its annual skate event presented by American Savings Bank (ASB), in collaboration with APB Skateshop and Trust for Public Land. The community came together to host an annual skateboard, helmet and gear giveaway designed to spark new passions and create safe, active spaces for local youth. Nearly 50 students from Kalākaua Middle School and Princess Ruth Ke‘elikōlani Middle School joined the event, many stepping on a board for the very first time.
“As we celebrate our 100th year serving Hawaiʻi, we’re proud to invest in family-friendly places like ʻAʻala Park that bring people together,” said Beth Whitehead, executive vice president and chief administrative officer at American Savings Bank. “The park is part of our neighborhood and a key focus for us. Events like this truly reflect what our next 100 years are all about—building a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone.”
The community event brought together professional skaters, including Hawaiʻi-born legend Jaime Reyes, along with Danny Hamaguchi, Shota Kubo, Vanessa Torres, and Dominick Walker, who shared their skills and inspired the next generation through lessons, demonstrations and a high-energy “Best Trick” competition hosted by APB Skateshop.
Skating Back to Where the Dream Began
For Jaime Reyes, professional skateboarder and founder of REYES’ing Hope, the event was deeply personal.
“Events like this are important because they plant a dream — the same way it did for me when I was a kid skating here,” said Jaime Reyes, Professional Skateboarder. “ʻAʻala Park is where I found my passion, and it opened up a world I never could have imagined. Skateboarding taught me resilience and confidence, and those lessons shaped every part of my life. Being able to return home, to stand in the same place where it all began, and to help give today’s keiki that same chance to dream big is deeply meaningful to me.”
As the neighborhood around ʻAʻala Park continues to grow, the skatepark remains a space for connection, creativity and confidence-building.
“APB is always excited to support this event and the opportunities it creates for local keiki,” said Chad Hiyakumoto, Owner of APB Skateshop. “ʻAʻala Skatepark has shaped many skaters over the years, and helping the next generation build their connection to this space keeps that legacy alive. Every year, it’s inspiring to watch the tradition grow and see new faces join the local skate scene.”
The invitation-only giveaway led into an afternoon of community fun, including a free skate exhibition and best trick contest from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. The event was made possible through the support of partners including American Savings Bank, Waiākea Kokua Initiative and brands such as Yeti, Real Skateboards, Zippy’s and The Skatepark Project. Together, this network of collaborators helped ensure the tradition continued — keeping ʻAʻala Park a place where keiki can explore new possibilities on and off the board.
Event Highlights
- Nearly 50 local students received new skateboards, helmets, sneakers and bags
- Public pro-skater demonstration with Jaime Reyes, Danny Hamaguchi, Shota Kubo, Vanessa Torres, Dominick Walker, Kea Duarte, JC III, Noah Brug, and Cyprus Blanco.
- “Best Trick” competition with prizes hosted by APB Skateshop.
- Follow-up lessons offered by APB Skateshop and Trust for Public Land.
Keeping the Momentum Rolling
Following the event, APB Skateshop and TPL will host free follow-up skate lessons to help keiki stay engaged and active.
“Growing up, I spent a lot of time skateboarding, and I believe this sport teaches you so much about perseverance and grit. Every time you fall trying to land a trick, you learn to make the adjustment, get back up, and try it again and again until you are successful,” said William Grindell, Principal of Kalākaua Middle School. “It's wonderful to see our students getting to experience this sport and discover their passion, and it's heartwarming to see opportunities like this open doors for every child, regardless of their financial situation.”
“Parks and green spaces are essential to the health and vitality of our communities,” said Lea Hong, Associate Vice President and Hawai‘i State Director of Trust for Public Land. “ʻAʻala Park is a space where people can connect, spend time outdoors, and feel a stronger sense of community. Events like this create meaningful opportunities for local keiki and families to come together in a safe, welcoming environment, and we’re grateful to our partners for helping make that possible.”
This year’s event welcomed more than 140 attendees, many eager for the chance to connect with professional skateboarders and experience the park in a new way. As the surrounding neighborhood continues to evolve, with thousands living within walking distance, ʻAʻala Park is playing a growing role as a gathering place for recreation and community. Building on that momentum, APB Skateshop and Trust for Public Land will offer free follow-up skateboarding lessons in the weeks after this year’s event to keep keiki engaged and inspired long after the celebration ends.
- Photos (all photo creds: Mako Ozaki; IG: makodavidozaki)
- B-Roll
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About REYES’ing Hope
REYES’ing Hope is a nonprofit making skateboarding accessible for youth in Hawai‘i and beyond—especially underserved communities and girls. Founded by local legend and pro skater Jaime Reyes in partnership with Adaku Ibekwe and Kimberly Woo-Chase, REYES’ing Hope provides gear, mentorship, and role models to inspire connection, confidence and bigger dreams. Because we believe everyone deserves the chance to roll, belong, and thrive.
About American Savings Bank
American Savings Bank (ASB) has been serving Hawaii’s businesses and communities since 1925 and provides a full range of financial products and services, including business and consumer banking, home loans, insurance and investments. ASB is one of Hawaii’s leading financial institutions offering easy and convenient online banking services and branch locations throughout the state with evening, weekend and holiday hours. For six years, Forbes has named “America’s Best In-State Bank,” a prestigious national recognition in which ASB was ranked highly in the categories of trust, branch services, digital services, customer service, financial advice and terms and conditions.
ASB matches its exceptional customer experience with an employee experience that has garnered local and national awards. ASB has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work” by Hawaii Business Magazine for 15 years and honored nationally as one of the “Best Banks to Work For” by American Banker Magazine and “America’s Greatest Workplaces” by Newsweek. Fortune Magazine has recognized ASB as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women and 50 Best Workplaces for Diversity. For more than a century, ASB has helped to build strong communities. Through its Seeds of Service program, ASB teammates have contributed more than 136,000 hours of volunteer service and ASB has donated millions of dollars to Hawaii’s nonprofits and community organizations. For more information, follow American Savings Bank on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About APB Skateshop
APB Skateshop is Hawaii’s premiere skateboard retailer. Founded by local skateboarder/skatepark designer Chad Hiyakumoto, APB strives to provide the latest and greatest in skateboard hard goods and apparel. APB sets the bar for what a skate shop should be, with many brands you can only find in the islands and the most extensive skateboard footwear and deck selection in the state.
With roots grounded at A’ala Park, Chad led the charge in the late 90s to develop skateparks on Oahu, along with creating videos of the local skateboard talent. Chad’s passion led him to open APB in 2002, along with his revised update to the iconic skatepark that he often frequented. The shop has become a fixture in the Hawaiʻi skateboard scene, promoting local skateboarders through its videos and sponsorship. Several of APB’s shop riders have become professional skateboarders, and the community of Hawaiʻi skateboarders continues to grow and flourish under APB’s ever-expanding family.
About Trust for Public Land
Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit that connects everyone to the benefits and joys of the outdoors. As a leader in equitable access to the outdoors, TPL works with communities to create parks and protect public land where they’re needed most. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 4 million acres of public land, created more than 5,504 parks, trails, schoolyards, and iconic outdoor places, raised $111 billion in public funding for parks and public lands, and connected nearly 9.7 million people to the outdoors. To learn more, visit tpl.org.
Media contact
Madelene Hissom
