2026 Regional Academic WordQuest Competition
The Academic WorldQuest Competition is an exciting global trivia competition for high school students, in teams of four, to test their international IQ. The Hawai’i Regional Competition will take place on March 7th, 2026 from 1:00 PM tp 4:30 PM HST. (Location TBA). Neighbor Island students will compete from satellite sites on each island.
During the competition, student teams are asked 60 multiple-choice questions based on 6 regional competition categories. The highest scoring team will win an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC, where they will represent Hawai’i in the National WorldQuest Competition! Prizes will also be awarded to the top 2 runner-ups and the highest scoring teams from each county.
Form a team and test your knowledge for a chance to win!
Registration deadlines:
Early Registration: December 20th, 2025
First come-first serve for front row seats
Final Registration (without fees): February 20, 2026
Late Registration: February 27, 2026
Late fee: $25 per team member
NOTE: Both the TEAM registration form and the INDIVIDUAL registration form must be completed by all team members before the deadline.
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Students from all public, private, and charter schools within the state of Hawai’i are welcomed to apply.
Students must compete in teams of four.
All team members must be from the same High School.
Winning team must be available to travel for 5 days and fully participate at the National Competition in Washington DC during the dates below:
Depart on Saturday, April 25th 2026
Return Wednesday, April 29th 2026
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Pop Culture and Soft Power in International Relations
The FIFA World Cup
Migration and Immigration
The Belt and Road Initiative
Tariffs and Trade
Coffee and Chocolate: A Global Perspective
If you have any questions, reach out to Max Malmud at program@paachawaii.org or 808-944-7783
Interested in supporting? Become a Sponsor!
This is a free event, but for those wishing to support the competition, we have several sponsorship packages available. Choose from one of the options below or email Max Malmud to discuss further.
Sponsorship Tiers:
Gold Sponsor - $1,500
Branding at the event and on select promotional materials
Recognition in social media outreach
Recognition in event programs
Opportunity to engage with students during the event
Silver Sponsor - $1000
Branding at the event
Recognition in event programs
Mention in social media posts
Bronze Sponsor - $750
Logo included in the event program
Acknowledgment during the event
Sponsor a Competition Category - $500
This year’s competition categories include USA and Foreign Languages, Space and National Security, Music & Globalization, Indigenous Peacebuilding, Borders and Boundaries, & County Focus of Mexico. Your support in any category of your choosing will be recognized in promotional materials and during the competition.
Sponsor a County Prize - $100 or Business Voucher
Prizes are awarded to the highest scoring teams representing each county across the State of Hawai’i. Show your support by contributing a cash amount or a product/voucher from your business as a prize for your county of choice!