HIPA



ABOUT HAWAII INTERNATIONAL POLO ASSOCIATION

The Hawaii International Polo Association (HIPA) was founded in 2013 and has three tenets:
  • Celebrate the sport of polo in Hawaii since 1880
  • Develop an equine retirement facility for polo ponies
  • Support at risk youth via horsemanship programs.
The most reputable polo players in Hawaii serve as advisors and ambassadors, each with more than 20 years of polo experience and contributions to Hawaii. Our association not only celebrates the rich history of polo in Hawaii but also assures that the next century is even more spectacular. Our challenge now is to ensure polo's place in Hawaii for generations to come. With this goal, Hawaii Polo Productions was created to identify unique venues, produce world-class polo events and showcase individual and collective talents. We believe that Hawaii is an ideal place to showcase world-class polo. In doing so, we celebrate our rich history of polo in the Hawaiian Islands, dating back to 1880 during the reign of our King David Kalākaua, while promoting polo for future generations.
King David  Kal ā kaua, pictured circa 1882, a few years after the first recorded polo match was played in Hawaii on November 3, 1880. 

Hawaii State Archives 
Photographer: J.J. Williams, 1853-1926.
Walter F. Dillingham, island poloist and capitalist, talking with Mrs. Delos Emmons left, and Mrs. Alice Hanchett, right, of San Francisco.  Mr. Dillingham’s team defeated the Army team in the first game of the competition. Mrs. Emmons is the wife of Lt. Col. D.C. Emmons, Commander of the Army Air Force in Hawaii.
September 1, 1934.

Hawaii State Archives Photo Collection
PP-104-7-024

Lowell Dillingham of the Oahu Blues about to take the ball as Col. George Patton, left, and Lieut. Brewster of the U.S. Army team ride into play. Oahu won 14 to 3.  Patton would go on to become a famed WWII General. 
[**note this photo is undated, but likely 1934]

Hawaii State Archives 
Credit: Pan Pacific Press Bureau

Polo player at Kapi‘olani Park 

Hawaii State Archives 
Eaton Magoon’s Collection
Kapi‘olani Park polo match

Hawaii State Archives