Honolulu H-Perm Hōʻike 2023

Matty Hiroto Inaba delivered a blistering performance at the Noelani Elementary School, posting a 5.67 winning average and a 4.89 single in the 3x3x3 Cube to anchor a dominant triple-victory weekend. Across six different events and eleven rounds of action on May 27, 2023, the floor was powered entirely by the dedicated organizers, delegates, and local volunteers who kept every station running on schedule. Their tireless work behind the scorekeeping desks and judging mats made the smooth execution of the cubing competition possible for all 61 competitors assembled in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.

The tournament team managed a demanding schedule featuring 2x2x2 Cube, 3x3x3 Cube, 4x4x4 Cube, Clock, Megaminx, and Pyraminx. Every bracket advanced without delay thanks to the volunteers who scrambled cubes, ran scorecards, and ensured that World Cube Association standards were upheld at every table. That steady operational framework allowed the competitors to focus entirely on their solves, creating an environment where both elite speedcubing veterans and newcomers could produce their sharpest turn speeds of the 2023 season.

In the main event, the 3x3 results demonstrated world-class speed at the top of the standings. Inaba took first place with his 5.67 final average, followed by Ao Nogami of Japan in second with a 6.68 mark and Yoji Ogura, also representing Japan, taking third on an 8.42 average. The standard Rubik's Cube division drew all 61 entrants through three full rounds of play, proving to be the centerpiece of the gathering and drawing enthusiastic focus to the main stage as the final solves concluded.

Inaba extended his dominance beyond the classic puzzle, capturing two additional titles across the day. In the 4x4x4 Cube, he clinched the victory with a 24.46 average and a 19.76 single, ahead of Ao Nogami at 31.26 and Micah Platt at 45.94. In the 2x2x2 Cube, Inaba secured his third gold of the Honolulu H-Perm Hōʻike 2023 with a 2.14 average and a 1.75 best single, topping a 51-person field where Travis Dumaran placed second with 2.89 and Yoji Ogura finished third with 2.91.

The non-cubic and specialized puzzles delivered equally intense competition, led by Ao Nogami who secured two titles of his own. Nogami claimed the Megaminx victory with a 42.65 average and a 38.48 single, finishing clear of Travis Dumaran at 1:05.08 and Taitum Tanouye at 1:15.13. Nogami also prevailed in Clock, averaging 6.53 with a 4.54 single to best Steven Wintringham, who took second with 7.55, and Chris Martin in third at 8.69. Wintringham found the top step of the podium in Pyraminx, taking first place with a 2.49 average over Nogami at 3.27 and Dumaran at 3.63.

Behind the top podium spots, several competitors achieved major personal milestones on the tournament floor. Kyle Aoki took on six events, placing 10th in Megaminx while recording a first career Clock solve of 25.26, a first Megaminx mark of 2:07.34, and a Pyraminx personal best of 7.89 that was 44.1 percent faster than their prior mark. Kaimana N. Higa also tackled all six events, finishing 11th in Megaminx while logging debut attempts of 23.40 in Clock and 2:07.67 in Megaminx alongside a 2x2x2 Cube personal best of 3.36, an improvement of 40.5 percent. Michael Anthony T. Amodo entered three disciplines and trimmed their 2x2x2 Cube best to 3.19, which was 37.9 percent faster, while Jared Ezell improved their 2x2x2 Cube best to 6.05 by 37.2 percent and dropped their 3x3x3 Cube time to 14.52 by 27.9 percent.

That same momentum carried across the roster for others exploring new categories at this speed cubing showcase. Zack Halsall took on six events and earned an 11th-place result in Clock, completing debut attempts in Clock at 18.67 and Megaminx at 2:47.41 while shaving 32.8 percent off their Pyraminx best to hit 6.62. Darwin Williams registered a Clock debut of 25.76 and lowered their 2x2x2 Cube record to 8.15, a 32.6 percent drop, alongside a 25.74 personal best in 3x3x3 Cube. Kai Dugger tackled six events, logging a 36.20 Clock debut and a 9.47 Pyraminx mark that was 26.4 percent faster. Joseph Carrillo made their first WCA competition appearance memorable by completing four events, including debut marks of 19.28 in Pyraminx, 31.89 in 3x3x3 Cube, and 10.68 in 2x2x2 Cube.

The collective medal haul highlighted the international talent on hand, with competitors representing the USA capturing 11 podium finishes and Japan taking seven. The smooth pace across all 11 rounds stood as a testament to the community members and staff who staged the event at Noelani Elementary School. As the final scores were entered and verified, the Honolulu H-Perm Hōʻike 2023 wrapped up having delivered a complete showcase of precision, organization, and athletic execution across every single division.