40th YEAR OF PRESTIGIOUS MAUI INVITATIONAL STATUS UNKNOWN

Devastating Fires Change the Landscape of Maui

LAHAINA, Hawaii – Over 100 people have lost their lives and countless others remain missing in the aftermath of fires on Maui that devastated the area more than ten days ago.

Many houses, stores and public buildings no longer remain. One building that does remain is the Lahaina Civic Center – though several of the surrounding buildings were lost in the fire.

Lahaina Civic Center is host to the Maui Jim Maui Invitational men’s basketball tournament, an annual event that brings some of the most elite programs in the country to Maui. Over the last two weeks, the civic center has served as an evacuation center.

Uncertainty Looms Over the 40th Maui Invitational

This season was set to be the 40th iteration of the Maui Invitational but understandably event officials are unsure if the event will take place in the aftermath of the Maui fire.

Earlier this week, tournament organizers released a statement: “We are actively monitoring the wildfire situation on Maui. Our main concern right now is the safety and well-being of our Maui Ohana and the first responders that we know are doing everything in their power to keep the island safe. We will share more information as it becomes available.”

The Maui Invitational has been a huge tourist draw for the area in years past. According to KITV Island Television, an ABC affiliate on Maui, the basketball events have generated more than $190 million since 1984. Lahaina has been host to all years of the tournament except for 2020, 2021 and 2022 when the event was moved to the mainland because of COVID-19.

Teams slated to play in this year’s event are tournament host Chaminade, Gonzaga, Kansas, Marquette, Purdue, Syracuse, Tennessee and UCLA – all Division 1 teams with the exception of Division 2 Chaminade who host and participate each year. This year’s elite field includes two number one seeds from the 2023 NCAA Tournament (Purdue, Kansas), two number two seeds (Marquette, UCLA), a three seed (Gonzaga) and a four seed (Tennessee). Syracuse, with a record of 17-15, was the only team in this year’s field not named Chaminade to have missed the Division 1 NCAA Tournament.

Other Teams Step Up in Support of Maui Relief Efforts

Meanwhile, Kansas and Illinois have scheduled a charity exhibition game that will be played Oct 29; all proceeds will benefit the Maui relief efforts. The exhibition will take place in Champaign, Ill. at Illinois’ State Farm Center.