My name is Garrett Lau and I am from Pearl City, HI. I attended Pearl City High School and have bounced around through UH Manoa and UH West Oahu pursuing different majors before landing on Creative Media. My passion lies in Esports which is competitive video gaming and have been active in the community here in Hawaii for about 4 years and nationally for 2 years. I am the current President of the gaming club on campus, Pueo Gaming. I enjoy filmmaking as that is where my major has contributed to. If I were an artist tool, I would be a tripod? I think I'm sturdy and dependable when you need it. I tend to help others before myself, I just like being there for others. I like to contribute to other people's work if they need it.
Over the last decade, the rise of esports has impacted the world in many different regions. Esports has been able to gain viewership in the millions and is not stopping anytime soon. However, as esports grows in multiple places such as North America mainland, South Korea, China, and countries in Europe, a US state like Hawaii is starting to grow and develop into an esports state. This paper talks about Hawaii as a sports state and how concepts from Hawaii sports such as football and basketball, can be translated into making Hawaii into an esports state as well as the disadvantages while playing games in Hawaii. Hawaii has economical and geographical advantages that could help turn Hawaii into an esports state and create an esports community.
The concept of creativity has come a long way. The Old Greeks would call those creative forces muses, other religions referred to them as God. Today people still mostly treat creativity as an aha moment outside the area of influence. However, just by looking at the creative process one can tell, that creativity and creative work is more than just that one "Aha-Moment" (insight). It is clear that generating ideas demands planning and preparation, identifying something of interest like a problem, an opportunity or a challenge, doing research. This then leads to thinking of a solution, allowing time to incubate and iterations before arriving at something “complete.” Students learn that hard work is what makes their ideas come to life and sticktuiveness is what helps them get better.
Garrett leveled up local storytelling with a TikTok series spotlighting Hawaiʻi’s emerging esports scene. Through interviews with players, organizers, and behind-the-scenes talent, his content brought visibility to a growing community often overlooked in the national conversation. Grounded in his research on how Hawaiʻi can evolve into an esports hub—despite geographic and economic challenges—Garrett’s series draws parallels between traditional sports culture in the islands and the teamwork, strategy, and community that define esports. His project shows that with the right spotlight, Hawaiʻi’s gamers are ready to compete on the global stage.
Game on. Garrett Streams the Future of Esports in Hawaiʻi. Go and check it out!