A Hawai'i-based promoter is scheduled to meet with officials of the Japan Sumo Association in Nagoya next week to finalize a contract that could bring an exhibition tournament to Honolulu next year.

A spokeswoman for Shige-mitsu Inohana, chief executive officer of Dormtech Hawaii Inc., said successful completion of a deal would bring an 80-man delegation to the Blaisdell Center for a tournament on June 9-10, 2007.

It would mark a return to Hawai'i, one of sumo's favorite international stops, after a 14-year absence. Then-yokozuna Akebono headed the last group to perform here in 1993. There are no Hawai'i sumotori currently competing in Japan.

A spokeswoman in the Tokyo public relations office of the JSA said nothing has yet been signed.

Mieko Crans, assistant to the executive producer of the tournament, said Inohana, an Osaka native who is based on Maui, has been appointed official promoting agent for a "2007 Hawai'i Grand Sumo Tournament." She said a deal between Dormtech and the JSA has been agreed to in principle.

Crans said Inohana is a long-time supporter of ozeki Tochiazuma and has a long-standing relationship with the ruling body of sumo in Japan.

A Blaisdell Center official said Dormtech Hawaii has reserved the June dates at the arena and a contract is pending.

Dormtech brought in former yokozuna Musashimaru of Wai'anae and other representatives last month to meet with local government and business leaders to drum up support for the tournament.

Crans said Dormtech is looking for support from local businesses and will be talking to television networks in Japan and the United States about showing the two-day tournament.

The Hawai'i tournament would coincide with the 2007 Japan Festival in Hawai'i.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com.