A Celebration of Culture and Sport
The 2026 Korea‑Hawaii Heritage Baseball Tournament has begun a two‑year fundraising effort that will culminate in a traditional Korean pavilion at Makiki District Park by 2028.
The Republic of Korea Navy is partnering on the project, drawing on the memory of a pavilion it helped donate during the 2024 RIMPAC exercise.
At Cartwright Field in the Makiki neighborhood of Honolulu, a friendly baseball game brought together players from YMCA Korea and a Hawaiian squad, drawing a crowd eager to experience the cultural exchange.
Fans gathered under the shade of a tree, cheering as vintage wooden bats clacked against the ball, while the scent of the island breeze mixed with the sound of cheers.
Park Si Hyun of YMCA Korea drove a double down the line, and later Kang Seong Hyeon celebrated a home run with a high‑five that sparked applause.
Pitcher Zach Diionno, nicknamed “Mongoose,” delivered a strong outing against YMCA Korea, while Kim Dong Hyun of the same team smiled between pitches.
From the dugout, Trishnalei Haugen of the Royal Hawaiians, known as “Songbird,” watched the action with a bright smile, embodying the spirit of the event.
Organizers say the tournament will continue to raise awareness and funds, with the ultimate goal of completing the pavilion before the end of 2028.