SWIMMING

Swimming consists of several categories: Competitive, Open Water (Ocean), Channel,  Masters and Synchronized. Each category requires that person be of good moral character, has participated in the sport for a long enough time to have developed a full resume of accomplishments, is a contributing member of his/her community, and was born in Hawai'i or lived here for at least 5 years.  Further qualifications and descriptions for each are shown below:

Competitive Swimming
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This category is for organized pool swimming, sanctioned by USA Swimming Association.
  • Person must be retired a minimum of 5 years from Olympic competition.
  • Events are of various lengths in meters or yards: 50, 100, 200, 400, etc.; in various swim-stroke categories: freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, combination (medley); and solo and relay teams.
  • Events competed in that count toward induction are: Olympic Games, Pan American Games, World Games, International and National Championships, NCAA and Conference National Championships.
  • Accomplishments that are recognized are: World and American record holder, membership in All-American Teams, membership in International or State Halls of Fame.

​Open Water Swimming
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This category is for organized ocean and open water swimming, sanctioned nationally by USA Swimming Association, and in Hawaii by various local swim organizations.
  • Swim races are either loop courses (start/finish at same place, course out and back) or point-to-point, and over one-mile in distance.
  • Any swim stroke can be used, but freestyle is most commonly used because it is the fastest.
  • Most Hawaii organizations allow swim suit, goggles, and often a snorkel, but no wet suit or fins.
  • Events competed in that count toward induction are: major Hawaiian ocean swim races greater than 1.25 mile in distance, major national and international ocean or open water swim races.
  • Open water swim racing became an Olympic sport in 2008, so Olympic games participation is also recognized.

Channel Swimming
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This category is for organized ocean swimming across a Hawaiian Island channel. Hawai'i swim crossings are certified by the Hawaii Channel Swim Association.
  • Any swim stroke can be used, but only swim suit and goggles are allowed. 
  • The swimmer must start above the high water mark on the other island, without receiving any flotation or propulsive support during the swim.
  • Events that count toward induction are: One of the 9 major Hawaiian Island Channels, out-of-state ocean channel crossings certified by a major organization, out-of-state lake, river, ocean strait crossings certified by a major organization. 
  • At least one of the crossings must be of a Hawaiian Island channel.

Masters Swimming
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This category is for organized pool swimming, sanctioned by United States Masters Swimming Association.
  • Person must be over 25 years of age to qualify for Masters Swimming.
  • Events are of various lengths in meters or yards: 50, 100, 200, 400, etc.; in various swim-stroke categories: freestyle, backstroke, butterfly, breaststroke, combination (medley); and solo and relay teams.
  • Events competed in that count toward induction are: World and National Masters Championships.
  • Accomplishments that are recognized are: World and National record holder, membership in All-American Teams, Top Ten National Rankings, membership in International or State Halls of Fame.