Mahalo iā Maui 2024

Dominic Shoji delivered an extraordinary masterclass on the specialised side of the schedule at the Paia Mantokuji Soto Zen Mission, securing victory in four distinct categories. Held on November 9, 2024, Mahalo iā Maui 2024 brought a concentrated field of 12 competitors together in Pāʻia, Hawaii, USA for 11 different events across 16 rounds. While the standard 3x3 Rubik's Cube usually garners the biggest spotlight, the broader array of puzzles defined the day. Shoji took command of the specialty formats early, showing exceptional technical skill on the mechanical dial mechanism of the Clock event to win with an average of 5.25 seconds and a best single of 4.13 seconds.

Shoji also demonstrated remarkable dexterity across the mechanical turns of the Pyraminx, taking first place with a winning average of 2.98 seconds and a single of 2.34 seconds. In that contest, Taj Bressert finished as runner-up with an average of 4.41 seconds, while Jack Okazaki collected third place on a 4.77 average. Shoji further extended his dominance across smaller cubes and mid-range challenges, topping the 2x2x2 Cube with a 2.14 average and pacing the 4x4x4 Cube field with a mark of 43.36 seconds. This versatile showing across four different formats anchored the overall schedule and set the competitive tone for the speedcubing gathering.

The non-standard twisting puzzles provided some of the day's sharpest battles. In Square-1, a challenging shape-shifting event, Jack Okazaki captured top honours with an average of 19.63 seconds and a sharp 13.53 single solve. Dominic Shoji followed closely in second place at 20.79 seconds, while Jaden Matsunaka finished third with an average of 25.94. Okazaki's victory highlighted the precise spatial planning required for the puzzle, providing a contrasting rhythm to the conventional cubing disciplines and rewarding dedicated practice on unconventional gear.

Taj Bressert proved equally formidable on the corner-turning and dodecahedral events. Bressert captured the Skewb title with a 3.41 average and a 2.61 single, holding off TJ Kelly who finished second with a 5.06 average, while Dominic Shoji completed the podium in 5.92 seconds. Bressert was unmatched in Megaminx as well, solving through the 12-sided puzzle to win the standalone round in 1:17.51, punctuated by a best single of 1:10.00. Bressert also secured a podium spot in 5x5x5 Cube, finishing third in 1:38.88 behind Shoji's 1:38.79 and event winner Jaden Matsunaka, who took the 5x5x5 title with a 1:33.29 average.

The blindfolded event presented its usual test of pure memorisation and flawless execution. Only two competitors took on the 3x3x3 Blindfolded challenge, and TJ Kelly emerged victorious by registering a successful single solve of 2:39.69. Navigating the solve entirely from memory without visual feedback demands absolute concentration, and Kelly's single stood as the only successful recorded solve of the round, securing the top spot in one of the most punishing events on the WCA competition roster.

Beyond the podium battles, several competitors achieved remarkable milestones across their individual schedules. Kaleo Noda took on eight events, securing a personal best of 2.56 seconds in Skewb, which was 68.5 percent faster than their previous best of 8.12, along with a 16 percent improvement in Pyraminx to 7.69 seconds and a first career attempt at 3x3x3 One-Handed at 1:04.13. Reggie Marcus Shropshire tackled nine events, marking a first career Megaminx attempt of 3:46.98 to take sixth place, while also lowering their 3x3x3 One-Handed personal best by 22.3 percent to 35.01 seconds and their standard single by 8.2 percent to 15.21 seconds. Meanwhile, Nakoa Dang made their official debut in competitive speed cubing, recording a first career 3x3x3 attempt of 29.76 seconds.

When attention shifted to the classic formats, Timothy Elnitiarta commanded the field. In the two-round 3x3x3 One-Handed competition, Elnitiarta captured first place with an impressive winning average of 14.01 seconds and an 11.74 single. Barton Felipe earned second place on a 22.06 average, while Dominic Shoji took third with 23.62. Elnitiarta maintained that rhythm into the main event, finishing atop the 3x3 results with an average of 10.14 seconds and the day's fastest single solve of 8.92 seconds over two rounds against 12 competitors.

With 16 rounds completed in a single action-packed day, Mahalo iā Maui 2024 proved how dynamic an intimate cubing competition can be. Across all events, competitors demonstrated deep preparation, versatility, and mastery of both mainstream and niche speedcubing disciplines. As the 2024 season progresses, the performances logged across 11 diverse puzzles in Pāʻia set a high standard of precision and breadth for the community moving forward.