History of The Hawaiian Channel Swimming Association

The rules of the Hawaiian Channel Swimming Association are based on the rules that govern the English Channel.  HCSA has an internationally acclaimed advisory board and other ad hoc committees that address protests, rule interpretations and rule-making issues whose members are HCSA members.  Its current Recorder/Honorary Secretary Steven Minaglia possesses an official HCSA Observer's Log and list of local escort boat pilots and boats that have been used in channel crossings.  In order for a swim to be recognized and certified by the HCSA an Observer's Log is required with the Observer's signature, date, start time and end time, the start location and end location, boat name and skipper name, and swim data.  Historically, HCSA has decertified 3 swim crossings due to swim fraud.  All published HCSA rules listed below must be followed and an approved certification form must be utilized when communicating the success of the swim.   Swimmers must swim at their own risk.  Do not attempt any channel crossing without safety support and be sure to follow all local, cultural, state, and federal regulations.  HCSA does not organize and/or observe channel swims.  The sharing or display of boat captain information is strictly for historical purposes and is not intended to endorse or approve services rendered by any boat captain.  Read the full disclaimer here.  Ratification fees are periodically updated and can be found here.

HCSA has a long and rich history of verifying and recording increasingly long continuous swims in Hawaiʻi through its own established rules and policies.  Since 1989 the HCSA has ratified the multi-channel swim crossings of Dr. Harry Huffaker (ʻAuʻau|Pailolo), Dr. Peter Attia (ʻAuʻau|ʻAuʻau), Meredith Novack (ʻAuʻau|ʻAuʻau), Billy Brown (Kalohi|Kalohi), Dr. Steven Minaglia (Pailolo|Pailolo, ʻAuʻau|ʻAuʻau), Mark Williams (ʻAuʻau|ʻAuʻau), and Becca Mann (Pailolo|Kalohi|ʻAuʻau).  The Triple Maui Nui Swim, for example, is a continuous swim across the ʻAuʻau, Pailolo, and Kalohi Channels taking into account the multiple channel swim crossing rules listed below.  This swim was first attempted by Dr. Harry Huffaker in 1989 and first completed by legendary open water swimmer Becca Mann in 2019.  The HCSA worked closely with Becca Mann and Dr. Harry Huffaker to name this famous swim the Triple Maui Nui Swim in order to inspire new swimmers and organizers, clarify course design, and to distinguish this particular swim from the Maui Nui SwimTM established in 2017.  Edward "Ted" Lomicka became the first swimmer to complete HCSAʻs suggested course of ʻAuʻau-Pailolo-Kalohi on February 22, 2026 with a time of 23:47.  HCSA will issue a one-of-a-kind certificate and swim cap for completing the Triple Maui Nui Swim.

Currently swimmers are not allowed to touch land on Kahoʻolawe and therefore crossing the Alalakeiki and Kealaikahiki channels is prohibited.  In 2024 HCSA decided to certify and recognize the following swims as substitutes for these two channels: The Maui-Around Molokini-Maui Swim and the Molokini to Lānaʻi Swim (Molokini Kealaikahiki Channel Swim).  Addition of these two swims, comparable to the above two prohibited channels gives swimmers a chance to achieve the 9 major inter-island channels.  A 2020 article written by Steven Minaglia and published by Steven Munatones that details these two new swims can be found here.