The Hawaii Surfing Association State Championships presented by Hard Rock Cafe Waikiki kicked off yesterday with excellent surf at Ala Moana Bowls.

Wave faces hovered in the 6- to 8-foot range and the offshore winds offered highly contestable conditions and big scores.

In the ultra-competitive junior men's division, Ezekiel Lau, 15, earned a perfect score in the pumping surf.

“;The waves are good, some of the best in a long time,”; Lau said. “;Right when the heat started I saw bumps out the back and I just waited for the set. I let four of them go by and went for the one that looked good.”;

The Kamehameha sophomore's patience paid off when he pulled in to a draining barrel on a good-sized wave. Upon exiting the tube Lau yanked two cutbacks and earned himself a perfect 10-point score.

“;This (event) is a good way to start off the summer and all the contests coming up,”; Lau said. “;If you win this, you're in good shape.”;

This contest is a gathering for the state's best amateur surfers to get the ball rolling for the Quiksilver Junior Men's 1-Star Event at Kewalos on Monday. It's also a good way for Lau and his peers to prepare for the National Scholastic Surfing Championships in San Clemente, Calif., later this month.

Beyond the contest surfing practice, the HSA State Championships are also a treat for neighbor island surfers. According to HSA contest director Wendell Aoki, this is a highly anticipated event for visiting competitors.

“;For the outer island kids, Ala Moana Bowls is a big venue for them,”; Aoki said. “;They work hard all year to get here, surf Bowls with three other people in the heat and enjoy themselves.”;

The HSA Championships will run through tomorrow. There will be an award ceremony at the Hard Rock Cafe Waikiki that evening where the winners will be announced. For more information, call the HSA hotline at (808) 262-2488.