PÅHAKU X PENA CHALLENGE
A BOND OF
BROTHERS..
The PÅHAKU X PENA Challenge grew from a simple idea: to honor two friends, Hopena Pokipala (Pena) and Seth Stone (PÅhaku), whose strength and generosity shaped everyone around them. Rooted in a demanding course of swim, run, and paddling, the race mirrors the grit, heart, and resilience that defined both Hopena and Seth.
In his lifetime, Hopena was already dreaming up this event with his brothers to honor his mentor Seth, and he was determined to build something that would challenge the body while uplifting the next generation.
What began as Hopena’s shared vision has become a community promise: to show up for one another the way they always did. The POHAKU X PENA Challenge is a living tribute, carrying forward Hopena and Seth’s legacy of strength, Aloha, and paying it forward.
OUR VISION
HOPENA Foundation will host an annual unique multi-sport triathlon - featuring a run, swim, paddle - to raise revenue for scholarships and Aloha-aligned initiatives, celebrate the ocean lifestyle, and foster a spirit of camaraderie and athletic excellence in the community.
SOLO
Take on the full course at your own pace. The Solo division is for athletes ready to challenge themselves, push their limits, and experience every mile of the journey from start to finish. This is about personal growth, determination, and showing up for yourself.
RELAY
Share the journey with your team. The Relay division allows teammates to divide the race, with each person completing one discipline—run, swim, or paddle. It's the perfect way to compete together, support one another, and celebrate the strength of teamwork while honoring HoPENA's spirit of community.
TEAM
Experience the challenge together. The Team division is designed for groups who want to complete the entire course as one unit. Working side by side through every leg of the race, teams will rely on communication, encouragement, and collective strength to cross the finish line together.