Surfing Olympics: the end of Hawaii?

After years of lobbying by @ISAsurfing and heavyweight backing by @WSL & its top athletes, #surfing finally got added to the list of #Olympics sports for Tokyo's #Olympics2020.

Much has been said about the possibility of commercial pressure leading to the use of #wavepools after the recent acquisition of @kswaveco by #WSL Holdings. (Still a space to watch we believe).
Less was said about the sudden reshuffle of teams and impact on #surf nations. #Hawaii has always been fiercely proud of its heritage and distinct identity when it comes to surfing. Will #HI just turn the other cheek and surrender its top athletes to team USA? How will @john_john_florence, @rissmoore10, @bethanyhamilton or @cocom4debarrelkilla take to the stars and stripes? Other islanders such as #Tahiti's @bourezmichel or #Guadeloupe's @tim_bisso will face the same identity dilemma with France's flag.
Before the Olympics can bring all surfing nations together, #surfers will need to find a way to navigate #colonial history and reconcile their allegiances, interests and heritage in the name of sports. #fasterhigherstronger #differenttogether

Unlikely sight