The major thrust of the Sacred Hearts Academy Speech and Debate Association (SHASDA) is competition in monthly competitions sponsored by the Hawaii Speech League from October to April, including speech and debate events. Speaking opportunities in these monthly events includes competition in Storytelling; Program Reading; Humorous, Dramatic and Duo Interpretation; Original Oratory; Impromptu Speaking and U.S. and International Extemporaneous Speaking. Debate opportunities include Lincoln-Douglas, one-on-one value debate, and Public Forum, team policy debate, formats.

In the spring, members compete for qualification in the State Final Tournament with those winners moving on to national-level competition in June. Also, once a year, the team travels to another island for the Neighbor Island Tournament.

In addition to their travels to other schools for competition, SHASDA hosts two events on the Academy’s campus – a tournament sponsored by the Hawaii Speech League and the Invitational Speech Festival, open to students in grades five to eight throughout Oahu.

SHASDA members earn points toward and membership in the National Forensic League, the national honor society for speech and debate, through ratings and rankings garnered during competition.