Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Championship

OCTOBER 07-12, 2014

The Hawaii Harlequins are celebrating their 50th Anniversary during their annual tournament of sun, sea, sand and rugby - the Harlequins Rugby Championship.

Clubs from around the world are invited to participate in the tournament which is always an exciting celebration of rugby across a number of social, competitive Men's and Women's grades, all in idyllic Hawaii.

Following the successful 2013 Harlequins Championship, VSL Rugby has teamed up again with the Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Football Club to help promote and manage the Tournament.

The Harlequins Club

The Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Football Club is the pre-eminent rugby club in the Hawaiian Islands, based at Kapiolani Park, Waikiki. The Club was founded in 1964 and has a proud history of hosting international touring teams which developed into the annual tournament. Since the 1970’s the Harlequins have hosted teams from around the world to their international tournament and are looking forward to their association with VSL Rugby and creating a leading global Tournament in their beautiful location.

Waikiki, Hawaii

The tournament is based in Honolulu on the Island of O’ahu. Honolulu offers big-city entertainment, dining and culture. Nearby Waikiki (where the games will be played) is the heart of Honolulu’s visitor experience. Known for its world-class hotels, vibrant nightlife, great shopping and dining, Waikiki continues to be steeped in history and its cultural roots. Live Hawaiian entertainment, Hawaii regional cuisine, oceanfront dining and bars, surf lessons and of course the famous sands of Waikiki Beach.

Waikiki is also the gateway to the island of Oahu including the rustic surf towns and famous beaches of the North Shore – Waimea Bay, the Banzai Pipeline and Sunset Beach.

For rugby players looking for beautiful and warm crystal water (between matches), Hawaii is the perfect destination. Swimming, surfing, bodysurfing, bodyboarding, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, Kayaking, fishing charters, whale watching and submarine cruises are just some of the water activity choices. Or venture on a short flight to one of Hawaii’s six beautiful islands, each with its own unique and contrasting experiences. Explore the lush, laid-back beauty of Kauai; recharge the batteries on Maui; or marvel over the dramatic lava landscapes of Hawaii Island.

Each Island’s unique geography provides awe-inspiring natural wonders – from the active volcano, Kilauea, on Hawaii’s Big Island to the waterfalls cascading from the sea cliffs on Molokai’s North Coast.

Host Venue - Queen Kapiolani Park, Waikiki

Queen Kapiolani Park is 170 acres in the middle of urban Honolulu, below Diamond Head and at the edge of the ocean along the end of Waikiki. From unique beginnings as a private preserve for the King into a public charitable trust, Kapiolani Park has become a heavily-used recreational and sports space. It plays host to many sports including rugby and is the home ground of the Hawaiian Harlequins and headquarters for the Hawaii Harlequins Rugby Tournament.