The HHSAA officially named its swimming and diving state championships in honor of the late U.S. Rep. K. Mark Takai during a dedication ceremony Friday afternoon

Friends, family and former constituents of Takai, as well as the public, all joined together at the Duke Kahanamoku Aquatic Complex for the dedication.

Before he started his political career, Takai was a four-time high school swimming state champion at Pearl City High School, a two-time National High School All-American in the 100-yard breaststroke, and a 1985 inductee into the Hawaii High School Hall of Honor. 

Takai's former swim coach, Ken Suenaga, was among a handful of individuals that spoke on Takai's life during the dedication ceremony. 

The event ended with all those in attendance holding hands together while lifting a maile lei as Mid-Pacific Institute's Kahu Wendell Davis gave a Hawaiian blessing, which was followed by everyone singing "Hawaii Aloha" before the start of the swimming state championship trials.