Hawai‘i Baptist Academy (HBA) captured the 2026 Hawai‘i High School Mock Trial Competition, prevailing in a hard‑fought final round at the Hawai‘i Supreme Court on March 7.

The annual Competition was coordinated by the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association. This year’s Competition set a new record, bringing together 200 students from 21 teams representing 17 public and private schools across O‘ahu, Maui, Kaua‘i, and Hawai‘i Island.

Throughout the Competition, students assumed the roles of attorneys, bailiffs, clerks, and witnesses. They developed and delivered opening statements, conducted direct and cross‑examinations, and demonstrated advanced knowledge of courtroom procedures. Roughly 38 current judges presided over the majority of rounds, supported by 30 coaches and 60 volunteers.

This year’s civil case, “Itching for a Story,” required teams to litigate issues of negligence and defamation involving an investigative reporter and an alleged hotel infestation.

The Competition took place over three consecutive Saturdays. Preliminary rounds were held on February 21 and 28 at the First and Second Circuit Courts, with the semifinals and final round held at the Hawai‘i Supreme Court on March 7. Students began preparing months in advance.

After highly competitive preliminary rounds, HBA, Maui Preparatory Academy, Moanalua High School, and Punahou School advanced to the semifinals. Justice Lisa M. Ginoza and Hawai‘i State Bar Association President Mark K. Murakami presided over the semifinal matches.

Acting Chief Justice Sabrina S. McKenna presided over the final round, in which HBA earned the state championship, narrowly defeating Punahou School. Faculty advisor Robert Weismantel and attorney coach Nathaniel Higa led HBA, which will represent Hawai‘i at the National High School Mock Trial Championship this May in Des Moines, Iowa.