Hawaiʻi Big Island Winter 2026

Jaden Matsunaka delivered the standout performance of the winter stretch by capturing five individual titles across a packed schedule, including an impressive 11.52 average to win the main event. As the early 2026 calendar begins to take shape, this one-day gathering set an energetic tone for the region. The action unfolded on February 28, 2026, bringing competitors together for a high-tempo day of solving at the Hawaiʻi Preparatory Academy venue.

Hosted in Waimea (Kamuela), Hawaii, USA, the Hawaiʻi Big Island Winter 2026 featured 11 competitors tackling 10 distinct events across 13 rounds of play. While the roster was compact, the standard across the tables proved remarkably high as competitors pushed through varied disciplines. Fans following speedcubing saw a tightly contested slate where multiple multi-event standouts battled across traditional cubes, side events, and complex twisty puzzles throughout the competition.

The 3x3x3 Cube tournament generated considerable excitement as finalists chased the top step. Matsunaka claimed victory with an 11.52 average, punctuated by a best single solve of 9.73. Brody Higaki took the second position on the podium with a 12.23 average, while Chris Martin secured third place with a 17.86 mark. These 3x3 results underlined Matsunaka's steady execution on the classic Rubik's Cube under final-round pressure.

Brody Higaki reversed the order in the 2x2x2 Cube final, posting a winning 4.36 average alongside a 3.14 single to capture the title over two rounds of competition. Matsunaka finished as the runner-up with a 5.84 average, while Kealoha Ke earned third place with a 6.70 average. The fast-paced event saw 11 entrants battle through the preliminary round before Higaki sealed the victory in the finals.

Beyond the smaller puzzles, Matsunaka dominated the broader rotational slate during the weekend. In the 3x3x3 One-Handed event, Matsunaka averaged 26.99 to claim top honors ahead of Higaki's 29.29 and Martin's 47.11. Matsunaka also secured gold in the 4x4x4 Cube with an average of 44.09, took first in the 6x6x6 Cube with a mark of 2:50.66, and topped the Square-1 field with an average of 22.45 and a single of 19.02.

Tainui Alameda produced massive strides during the meet, competing across four events and finishing sixth in the 2x2x2 Cube. Alameda notched an 8.71 personal best in Pyraminx to eclipse a previous mark of 17.30 by 49.7 percent, dropped a 2x2x2 Cube personal best to 6.37 for a 14.7 percent improvement, and took on a first ever attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed with a 1:09.42 solve. Ku'uipo Tahiti'a Smith entered three disciplines, highlighted by a sixth-place finish in Pyraminx that included a first ever attempt of 12.02.

The competition also served as an exciting debut stage for newcomers entering their very first WCA competition. Gus Morris stepped onto the official floor for the first time across four events, placing eighth in 3x3x3 One-Handed with an initial attempt of 1:37.51, alongside debut marks of 39.21 in the 3x3x3 Cube and 13.49 in the 2x2x2 Cube. Randy Linville likewise launched an official career in three events, recording initial attempts of 10.12 on the 2x2x2 Cube, 12.32 in Pyraminx, and 39.75 on the 3x3x3 Cube.

Chris Martin highlighted the side-puzzle slate by collecting three event victories of his own. Martin prevailed in the Pyraminx final with a 6.86 average, besting Higaki's 8.99 and Matsunaka's 10.02. In Clock, Martin secured the win with a 7.56 average, and added another first-place finish in the 7x7x7 Cube with a time of 6:19.12. Ka'ale McGerity also claimed gold on the day, taking the Skewb victory with a 15.80 average.

The successful running of Hawaiʻi Big Island Winter 2026 offered a comprehensive showcase of local talent and multi-discipline mastery. From big cubes to mechanical puzzles, the cubing competition highlighted both seasoned title winners and emerging speed cubing enthusiasts looking forward to future stops on the tournament calendar.