HONOLULU -- Retired sumo wrestler Musashimaru, or Waianae's Fiamalu Penitani, announced on Tuesday the return of sumo to Hawaii

The retired yokozuna -- or grand champion of sumo -- announced that a grand sumo tournament will take place in June at the Blaisdell Center Arena.

"Well, the sad part is I don't wrestle but, you know, I just enjoy watching sumo now, sitting down on a chair. So, I have a better time sitting down now 'cause I don't stress out," Penitani said.

The last time a sumo tournament was held in the islands was 1993, when Musashimaru was one of three island sumo wrestlers, along with Konishiki and Akebono.

When the sumotori -- or wrestlers -- came from Japan in '93, they posed at Waikiki Beach. Hordes of Japanese media swarmed their events.

Crowds flocked to the sold-out matches.

Organizers and city officials hope that will happen again in June.

"We know that there are legions of sumo fans throughout Hawaii. We know that this will attract sumo fans from throughout the world," Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said.

About 40 sumotori and their attendants and other officials will be here for the exhibition tournament. It is part of the Japan Sumo Association's recent efforts to spread sumo around the world.

The tour will include a three-day tournament in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Resort.

"We got a big crowd who came out in Vegas last year. So, we can't lose to Vegas," Penitani said.