Following back-to-back lay days, the HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro, a men’s and women’s World Surf League (WSL) Qualifying Series (QS) 2,000-level event and Regional Longboard Qualifying Series (LQS) 1,000-level event, came to life with the North Shore showing its teeth for opening day. The massive swell began to drop, but still provided ten-to-twelve-foot, occasional plus-sized faces in the morning, which eased slightly to a still solid, eight-to-ten-foot at the famed lineup with the men’s Round of 96 and 64, Heats 1 through 4, finding their moments to match Haleʻiwa’s raw power. The longboard contingent was called OFF for the day, with their next call tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2, at 7:00 a.m. HST.
Nalu Deodato’s Debut Stunner Posts 17.43 Heat Total
One of Oʻahu’s prominent teens, Nalu Deodato (HAW), reinforced his resume with an impeccable showing of forehand dominance. Deodato’s precision and flow, all while pushing power throughout, earned a day’s best 17.43 (out of a possible 20) in the Round of 96, Heat 14. Deodato kept building throughout his heat, posting a day’s best 9.00 (out of a possible 10) before then locking into another gem for an 8.43 to make his presence known.
“That was pretty much as good as it gets with only three other guys out,” said Deodato. “Kind of a dream come true. Hopefully, I can keep the ball rolling and take it one heat at a time. But, hopefully just keep making heats out here.”
Pictured: Teenagers took over the pumping conditions with Tama Hanneman (HAW) pushing one of the day’s best performances. Credit: WSL/ Heff
Tama Hanneman Takes Control Among Top Seeds’ Starts
The men’s top seeds made their highly anticipated debuts and early event standouts made their stand. Alongside 2023 Championship Tour (CT) Rookie of the Year Ian Gentil’s (HAW) excellent 8.17 and defending event victor Joshua Moniz’s (HAW) debut heat wins, Tama Hanneman (HAW) brought his Round of 96 confidence to top seeds, including former CTer Eli Hanneman (HAW), in defiant form with a 15.56 heat total.
“I’m stoked to win the last heat of the day. The waves were pumping all day and stoked to get those two scores to move on,” said Hanneman. “Now I’m just going to cruise and be ready for when the call’s on next. I was on my 6’2 Pyzel Ghost, and it felt good, but I buckled it in my first heat, but I got it fixed before that last one, so I’m stoked.”
Fellow Round of 96 standout Brodi Sale (HAW) also notched an impressive Round of 64 victory to surge toward the Round of 32.
Breakthrough Moments for Merrik Mochkatel and Shayden Pacarro Seal Major Heat Wins
One of the region’s perennial standouts, Shayden Pacarro (HAW), rose above the rest in the Round of 96 with a near-perfect 9.00 to match the day’s best single-scoring wave. Pacarro’s stamina in the relentless current of Haleʻiwa helped set him up for his moment to strike and unleash his backhand power all his own. But the North Shore’s energy still tested Pacarro, who had to deal with the brunt of the force over the shallow reef.
“That was a great wave. The whole heat was hard work for me. Before that 9.00 I fell on a wave, got out of position and had to work really hard to get back out,” said Pacarro. “I just stood up, and honestly, I was just so happy to be on the wave and out of the current, and it just kept giving so I was stoked.
Pictured: Merrik Mochkatel (HAW) staked his claim when Haleʻiwa asked all the questions. Credit: WSL/ Heff
Rising talent Merrik Mochkatel (HAW) found his opportunity to strike as the swell became more manageable throughout the later morning to post an 8.83. Mochkatel had to overcome proven contenders, including former CT contender Dusty Payne (HAW), QS veteran Evan Valiere (HAW), and Tahiti’s newcomer Kéo Tamatoa Chabrier (PYF).
“It was really fun and really good wave out there. I started off with a good wave then just kept trying to push harder,” said Mochkatel. “I got really smoked, but it was really fun (laughs). Stoked to be living, making another round, and just staying humble. I can’t wait to see what comes next.”
Pictured: Benji Brand is no stranger to hefty conditions and he showed his vigor today (HAW) . Credit: WSL/ Heff
Benji Brand Delivers More Backhand Excellence
Tahiti’s Maunakea Hioe (PYF) set the day’s scale with a 15.00 heat total before Benji Brand (HAW) remained in-form on a backhand attack all his own. Brand’s signature power and ability to charge has become a staple on the North Shore over the last two decades, and showcased that to post an excellent 8.17 and 14.84 heat total. Now, the South African-turned-Hawaiʻi resident prepares for top seeds once again on the North Shore.
“That went pretty well, stoked to get through, and the waves were really fun. Just such a fun day at Haleʻiwa,” said Brand. “It’s that dropping swell and just really rippable, and you still have to perform in bigger waves. This morning was huge, and it’s just the right size now. If you get the second wave of the set, it’s nice and smooth. And it’s just such a joy to be out there.”
Plus, Thatcher Johnson’s (HAW) 14.00 heat total earned a clutch heat win alongside the likes of Tereva David (PYF), Kane Turalde (HAW), Kalanoweo Desoto (HAW), and more, who now await their Round of 64 bouts.
Pictured: When the dust settled, it was Haleʻiwa who truly stole the show for opening day action. Credit: WSL/ Heff
Event organizers will reconvene at 7:00 a.m. HST for a possible 8:00 a.m. start for either men’s Round of 64, Heats 5 through 16, or the one-day longboard showdown.
The HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro QS 2,000 and LQS 1,000 event window opens November 29 through December 7, 2025. Competition will run on the best four days of the event window with the LQS 1,000 as a one-day event.
For more information, please visit WorldSurfLeague.com.
HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro Round of 96 Results:
HEAT 1: Steve Roberson (HAW) 12.00 DEF. Kala Grace (HAW) 8.83, Niko Fernandez (HAW) 5.97, Love Hodel (HAW) 4.53
HEAT 2: Kodin Wau (HAW) 9.40 DEF. Maddix Alotis (HAW) 8.70, Taije Liljestrom (HAW) 7.70, Peio Charriaud Ostolozaga (PYF) 6.13
HEAT 3: Brodi Sale (HAW) 12.50 DEF. Koa Rothman (HAW) 11.90, Kainehe Hunt (HAW) 9.60, Wyatt Butterbaugh (HAW) 3.77
HEAT 4: Tama Hannemann (HAW) 12.10 DEF. Kainaru Kato (HAW) 10.46, Kaiano Costa (HAW) 10.10, Kai Nelson (HAW) 9.47
HEAT 5: Maunakea Hioe (PYF) 15.00 DEF. Tyler Newton (HAW) 10.23, Sheldon Paishon (HAW) 9.80, Matteus Santos (HAW) 8.00
HEAT 6: Kalanoweo Desoto (HAW) 13.90 DEF. Eala Stewart (HAW) 13.86, Marco Rista (HAW) 9.34, Landon McNamara (HAW) 6.36
HEAT 7: Benji Brand (HAW) 14.84 DEF. Keone Roitman (USA) 9.83, Nalu Sheppard (HAW) 6.44, Haven Hodel (USA) 5.27
HEAT 8: Thatcher Johnson (HAW) 14.00 DEF. Kiron Jabour (HAW) 13.30, Cole Alves (HAW) 12.67, Leonid Nichols (HAW) 6.70
HEAT 9: Merrik Mochkatel (HAW) 13.43 DEF. Evan Valiere (HAW) 9.73, Kéo Tamatoa Chabrier (PYF) 5.97, Dusty Payne (HAW) 5.17
HEAT 10: Kane Turalde (HAW) 12.83 DEF. Mason Ho (HAW) 9.70, Talan Lillyman (HAW) 5.64, Nolan Senn (HAW) 5.44
HEAT 11: Shayden Pacarro (HAW) 13.33 DEF. Gregg Nakamura (HAW) 10.50, Roran Mullen (HAW) 8.80, Zac Hedemann (HAW) 6.86
HEAT 12: Haunui David (PYF) 10.57 DEF. Coconut Willie (HAW) 9.23, Branden Defilippo (HAW) 8.50, Brandon Kuakini (HAW) 5.70
HEAT 13: Tereva David (PYF) 13.00 DEF. Ezra Clark (HAW) 12.57, Torrey Meister (HAW) 11.00, Kaiwi Berry (HAW) 9.33
HEAT 14: Nalu Deodato (HAW) 17.43 DEF. Memphis Brown (HAW) 11.07, Kalani Rivero (HAW) 10.84, Angel Jardine (HAW) 10.67
HEAT 15: Kainalu McCormick (HAW) 11.50 DEF. Sam Debonet (USA) 9.90, Waimea Star (USA) 9.83, Pax Tybuszewski (USA) 7.53
HEAT 16: Makana Franzmann (HAW) 11.83 DEF. Koa Smith (HAW) 11.13, Mananalu Chandler (HAW) 10.03, Zachary Newton (HAW) 5.87
HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro Round of 64 (Heats 1 – 4) Results:
HEAT 1: Ian Gentil (HAW) 14.67 DEF. Steve Roberson (HAW) 11.44, Maddix Alotis (HAW) 10.94, Billy Kemper (HAW) 9.57
HEAT 2: Diego Ferri (HAW) 12.07 DEF. Kingston Panebianco (HAW) 10.36, Kodin Wau (HAW) 9.90, Kala Grace (HAW) 8.00
HEAT 3: Joshua Moniz (HAW) 14.40 DEF. Kai Martin (HAW) 13.63, Brodi Sale (HAW) 12.67, Kainaru Kato (HAW) 10.73
HEAT 4: Tama Hannemann (HAW) 15.56 DEF. Eli Hanneman (HAW) 12.20, Koa Rothman (HAW) 11.60, Jackson Dorian (HAW) 8.36
HTA HIC Haleʻiwa Pro Round of 64 (Heats 5 – 16) Matchups:
HEAT 5: Oliver Zietz (NLD) vs. Given Goodwin (HAW) vs. Maunakea Hioe (PYF) vs. Eala Stewart (HAW)
HEAT 6: Luke Tema (HAW) vs. Logan Bediamol (HAW) vs. Kalanoweo Desoto (HAW) vs. Tyler Newton (HAW)
HEAT 7: Levi Young (HAW) vs. Robert Grilho (HAW) vs. Benji Brand (HAW) vs. Kiron Jabour (HAW)
HEAT 8: Barron Mamiya (HAW) vs. Shiloh Tennberg (HAW) vs. Thatcher Johnson (HAW) vs. Keone Roitman (USA)
HEAT 9: Jackson Bunch (HAW) vs. Eimeo Czermak (PYF) vs. Merrik Mochkatel (HAW) vs. Mason Ho (HAW)
HEAT 10: MaiKai Burdine (HAW) vs. Ezekiel Lau (HAW) vs. Kane Turalde (HAW) vs. Evan Valiere (HAW)
HEAT 11: Finn McGill (HAW) vs. Liam Wilson (ASM) vs. Shayden Pacarro (HAW) vs. Coconut Willie (HAW)
HEAT 12: Luke Swanson (HAW) vs. Cody Young (HAW) vs. Haunui David (PYF) vs. Gregg Nakamura (HAW)
HEAT 13: Shion Crawford (HAW) vs. Cash Berzolla (HAW) vs. Tereva David (PYF) vs. Memphis Brown (HAW)
HEAT 14: Mihimana Braye (PYF) vs. Kuio Young (HAW) vs. Nalu Deodato (HAW) vs. Ezra Clark (HAW)
HEAT 15: Rylan Beavers (HAW) vs. Turo Ariitu (PYF) vs. Kainalu McCormick (HAW) vs. Koa Smith (HAW)
HEAT 16: Imaikalani deVault (HAW) vs. Makai McNamara (HAW) vs. Makana Franzmann (HAW) vs. Sam Debonet (USA)
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