After a dominant performance on Maui where the team swept all four of their preliminary trials, the Pueo advanced to the prestigious Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) Mock Trial Championship "Final Four" on Oahu.

Competing at the highest level, Maui Prep joined elite company alongside Punahou, Moanalua, and Hawaii Baptist. In a high-stakes opening round at the Supreme Court, the team faced off against Punahou. Despite delivering a sophisticated and poised performance, they ultimately fell by a narrow margin in a match that showcased the incredible caliber of this year's squad.

The season’s success was built on a foundation of rigorous preparation. Under the dedicated guidance of legal advisors Jessica Lucia, Ralph Pais, and Kelly LaPrade, the student-attorneys and witnesses spent months analyzing complex case materials. This year's defamation case required students to master the nuances of warrants, witness accounts, forensic evidence, and financial records to litigate a fictional scandal involving a hotel and a news organization.

During the two-hour proceedings, every team member played a critical role. The format demanded twelve minutes of opening statements, thirty-six minutes of direct and cross-examinations, and eighteen minutes of closing arguments. Whether they were delivering impassioned speeches, managing the courtroom as bailiffs, or standing firm under intense questioning as witnesses, the students mirrored the professionalism of seasoned legal experts to earn points from the presiding judges.

The school extends its deepest gratitude to legal advisors Ralph Pais, Kelly LaPrade, and Jessica Lucia for their tireless mentorship.

The 2026 Maui Prep Mock Trial team includes: Arianne Chacon, Kai DaProza, Stella Garnier, Madison Goldsmith, Isaac Goudreau, Caleb Gray, Dylan LaPrade, Kestrel Marshall, Anna Nguyen, Ty Parnell, Kaia Reader, Scout Smith, and Anna May Stoops.