Battle of the Islands held in Hilo

HILO, Hawaii: Roller Derby came to the legendary Edith Kanaka’ole Stadium this weekend, as teams from around the Aloha State converged on Hilo for a Battle of the Islands.

The all day all-day tournament began at 11 a.m. and the finals were scheduled to start at 7 p.m.

Taking part in the action: Hawaii Island’s own Paradise Roller Girls Honey Badgers, Kona’s Echo City Knockouts – seen here, Pacific Roller Derby Hulagans from Oahu, the Maui Roller Girls, the Maui Owies, the Garden Island Renegade Rollers, and the Bee Team – a mixed team from all islands.

On Saturday, the Maui Roller Girls took home the A-team Championship. They downed Pacific Roller Derby 119 to 69 in the final.

The Garden Island Renegade Rollerz defeated the BEE Team, 98 – 24, for the B-team Championship

The Battle of the Islands is a twice-annual tournament that rotates amongst the islands. The idea of Battle of the Islands started in an email discussion between Paradise Roller Girls, Maui Roller Girls, the Garden Island Renegade Rollers and Pacific Roller Derby. The expense for teams to purchase airfare and lodging makes it difficult to travel to each of the other islands to compete. Battle of the Islands allows all the leagues to come together in one city and bout against all the islands. The next Battle of the Islands will be hosted by Pacific Roller Derby on Oahu at the end of September.