Inaugural tournament already generating impact, with more than $90,000 awarded to four Hawaiʻi organizations
WAI’ANAE, Hawaiʻi – The inaugural Max Holloway Golf Classic, hosted by the Max Holloway Foundation on Monday, July 20, at Kapolei Golf Club, raised more than $300,000 to benefit youth programs and communities throughout Hawaiʻi.
The tournament, hosted by Hawaiʻi sports broadcaster Rob DeMello, brought together golfers, sponsors, business and community leaders, partners, vendors, volunteers, and supporters for a memorable day in Kapolei, united by a shared commitment to creating positive opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s youth.
The event was proudly presented in partnership with UFC, Chosen Advisory and Kapolei Golf Club, whose support and commitment to the Max Holloway Foundation helped make the event possible.
“What started as an idea to bring people together around something meaningful exceeded our expectations,” said Max Holloway. “Raising more than $300,000 at our first tournament is an incredible accomplishment, but what makes us most proud is seeing those dollars already reaching organizations doing important work across Hawaiʻi. This is exactly why the Foundation was created.”
Joining Holloway in helping raise funds and awareness for the Foundation were a distinguished group of athletes and personalities, including UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje, UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier, former UFC featherweight Cub Swanson, UFC commentator Jon Anik, and former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Kyle Rudolph. Their participation helped bring additional attention and excitement to the inaugural event while supporting the Foundation’s mission to give back to Hawaiʻi’s youth and local communities.
The event also received tremendous support from a number of Hawaiʻi businesses and brands that share a personal connection with Holloway and a commitment to giving back to the local community. 808 Puffs, Shiro’s Saimin, Highway Inn, Alli’s Fish Market, Manalulu Water, Sonic, Zippy’s, Melin, Aoki Foundation, BumpBoxx, Instant Hydration, and many other valued sponsors and partners helped make the event possible and contributed to creating an event that was deeply connected to the people and culture of Hawaiʻi.
The impact of the event is already being felt across the islands. The Max Holloway Foundation has awarded more than $90,000 in grants to its first four recipients, putting funds raised through the Golf Classic directly to work in Hawaiʻi communities.
The Foundation’s inaugural grant recipients are:
• Westside Striking
• Searider Productions
• Hope Lodge Hawaiʻi
• Ulu Aʻe Learning Center
• The Institute for Native Pacific Education and Culture (INPEACE)
Each organization is making a meaningful difference by creating opportunities and providing support for youth and families throughout Hawaiʻi. The Foundation is honored to partner with these organizations and looks forward to seeing the long-term impact of their work.
The success of the event would not have been possible without the generosity and commitment of the event’s sponsors and partners, along with the participation of golfers and the countless hours contributed by vendors, volunteers, staff, and community supporters.
The event also marked an important milestone for the newly established Max Holloway Foundation, which is committed to creating positive opportunities for Hawaiʻi’s youth and supporting local communities.
With the success of the first tournament, the Foundation is already looking ahead to 2027 and plans to build upon the momentum of the inaugural event to expand its reach and make an even greater impact. To learn more, please visit MAXHOLLOWAYFOUNDATION.
About the Max Holloway Foundation
Established in 2025 by former UFC featherweight and BMF champion Max Holloway, the mission of the foundation is to help underprivileged youth in Hawai’i reach their full potential as productive, thoughtful, and responsible citizens. Through fundraising, grants, partnerships, and community initiatives, the Foundation works to provide resources and opportunities that help Hawaiʻi’s young people and families thrive.
The inaugural Max Holloway Golf Classic serves as the Foundation’s primary annual fundraising event, bringing together supporters from across Hawaiʻi and beyond to raise funds and awareness for organizations making a difference in local communities.
