Friday Night Prime Time games kicked off its ninth season at three high schools across O‘ahu in early March.

It’s a program to provide at-risk students and students with disabilities an opportunity to participate in inclusive interscholastic athletics and represent their schools in competition alongside their peers. The annual interscholastic athletics event gives students a chance to feel the excitement and pride of representing their school in a sporting event with an authentic feel, featuring the cheerleaders and the school band.

“We can kind of share a moment, that’s one of my favorite moments. I love playing basketball on the court and we get to share it with different people and give it to people that don’t normally have the experience,” said Kalani High School senior Alina Stephenson, who serves as a peer mentor and is a multi-sport athlete for the Falcons. “It’s very fun. They’re all very cute and energetic and I wish I had them on my team too.”

Dozens of supporters packed the gymnasium at President William McKinley High School for a doubleheader featuring Henry J. Kaiser High vs. President Theodore Roosevelt High followed by McKinley vs. Kalani. Waipahu High School was the site of a doubleheader with Waiʻanae vs. Pearl City and Waipahu vs. Nānākuli. Mililani High School hosted a game between Moanalua and Mililani. 

“A lot of (the students) never really had any formalized sports, whether it’s high school or PAL (Police Activities League) or AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization), so I think for them, it’s something they’re going to remember for the rest of their life,” McKinley High School special education teacher Chris Nakagawa said. “Win or lose, it doesn’t matter. They try hard. The fans are supporting them. They have their parents there, a lot of times we have the band and cheerleaders, so it’s as real as it can be.”

The program was launched in 2016 by Nathan Murata, dean of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s College of Education. It began with a single game between Kalani and Roosevelt but has grown steadily over the years, reaching a peak of 17 participating schools in one season with the support of community partners and volunteers. This year, 15 public high schools across the island have formed teams for the 2026 season. A middle school program is also being piloted this year, with the schedule still being finalized and games to start in May.

All games are open to the public and are free to attend. See 這裡 for a schedule of the upcoming games.