Harry M. Mamizuka Invitational

For generations of swimmers in Hawai‘i, Harry M. Mamizuka was more than a coach — he was a mentor, a disciplinarian, and a second father to many. His lessons extended far beyond the pool, shaping young athletes into responsible adults with the values of hard work, perseverance, and integrity.

On April 26-27, the 43rd Annual Harry M. Mamizuka Invitational will once again celebrate his enduring impact, bringing together hundreds of swimmers from across the islands to compete at the K. Mark Takai Veterans Memorial Aquatics Center in Waipahu.

This meet is not just a competition — it is a community event, a tribute, and a reminder of what youth sports should be about. It continues the work that Mamizuka dedicated his life to: giving young swimmers, regardless of background, the opportunity to challenge themselves, push their limits, and grow as individuals.

A Coach Who Built More Than Champions

Born and raised in Hawai‘i, Harry Mamizuka understood the struggles many local kids faced — especially those from working-class families. He knew that swimming, like life, required discipline, consistency, and self-belief.

Mamizuka coached at Pālama Settlement, McKinley High School, and Mānoa Aquatics, where he founded the club to make swim training accessible to youth from all walks of life.

He was known for his no-nonsense coaching style, setting high expectations for his swimmers, but always balancing it with deep care and unwavering support.

Even after a life-changing accident in 1989 left him paralyzed, Mamizuka remained dedicated to the sport, coaching from his wheelchair on the pool deck. His resilience and commitment became a lesson in itself: setbacks do not define us — our response to them does.

Through the years, many of his swimmers have gone on to receive college scholarships, become coaches, teachers, and leaders in their communities — all carrying forward the values instilled by Mamizuka.

Why This Event Matters

Hawai‘i has a rich history of producing elite swimmers, from Olympians to collegiate champions. But events like the Mamizuka Invitational are about more than just competition. They serve as:

• A Platform for Young Athletes. Many swimmers use this meet as a stepping stone to qualify for regional and national competitions.

• A Community Gathering. Families, coaches, and former athletes come together to celebrate Hawai‘i’s swimming tradition.

• A Tribute to a Local Hero. The event keeps Mamizuka’s legacy alive, inspiring new generations to uphold his values of discipline and perseverance.

middle, second row

This year’s invitational will feature a full lineup of age-group races, where young competitors — some as young as 9 years old — will swim alongside seasoned high school athletes hoping to post personal bests and qualify for bigger meets.

Beyond the races, the event serves as a reminder of the impact a single individual can have on a community. Mamizuka’s influence continues not just through the competition that bears his name, but in the countless swimmers he coached, many of whom now return as parents, coaches, and mentors themselves.

Keeping Harry Mamizuka’s Spirit Alive

The Mamizuka Invitational is more than a swim meet. It is a testament to one man’s belief that sports can transform lives. It is a celebration of young athletes, a gathering of families and mentors, and a reminder that in sports — and in life — hard work, resilience, and community support make all the difference.

As we approach April 26-27, let’s take a moment to reflect on what events like these truly mean — not just for the swimmers, but for Hawai‘i as a whole. When we support youth athletics, we are investing in the future of our islands, helping to shape the next generation of leaders, athletes, and community builders. (...)

Let’s make this year’s meet not just about competition, but about continuing a legacy that has uplifted generations of Hawai‘i’s youth.

by Kanekoa Crabbe, DeRoy Lavatai, Honolulu Civil Beat | Read more:
Images: Gov. Neil Abercrombie/2013. Hawaii Swimming Hall of Fame
[ed. Love this. Mami (as he was known to everyone back then) was my assistant football and head swimming coach for 3 years in high school. As much as he was known for his swimming acumen, he was probably best known for his creative swearing and dirty joke telling. I mean the guy had no peers. Plus, the most outrageous stories you could imagine (actually, never imagine), mostly about his sexual exploits. I wanted to go to McKinley high school in Honolulu because all my friends were going there, the best public school in Hawaii, and that's where I'd practiced when I was playing Pop Warner football. But, because I lived out of district, the only way I could do that was to apply for a district exception, and the only excuse my folks and I could come up with was to claim that I wanted to swim (the high school I was supposed to go to didn't have a pool at the time). And it worked! Anyway, after my first football season wrapped up Mami found me and told me to get my ass up to the pool. I told him...no, no, that was just an excuse... I'm really not a swimmer. But no excuses. Get up there! So for the next three years I swam on the varsity swim team under his abuse guidance. Those practices were so brutal, worse than football, sometimes two a day, the first at 6 am before school started (in a freezing, heavily chlorinated pool outside), the second for two hours after school. He was such a funny and unpredictable guy, but had a malevolent temper that could explode at any time. You did not want to be on his bad side (or find out he'd had a bad day at work). Nevertheless, we all loved him, and vice versa. Deeply missed.]