I mean, there's no way they can play it in Lahaina this year, can they?

(08-18-2023 03:00 AM)C2__ Wrote:  I mean, there's no way they can play it in Lahaina this year, can they?

I highly doubt that the Maui Invitational can be played in Lahaina this year, after all the damage that they took from that disaster!!!

I just looked at an aerial video of the Lahaina fire damage and it shows that the Lahaina Civic Center (where the Maui Invitational is played) is undamaged.

There are good reasons to relocate the tournament this year, e.g. the need to restore/repair critical infrastructure and the need to use visitor accommodations as temporary shelter for families who lost homes. But if it came down to having a place to play, the venue is still there.

(08-18-2023 05:41 AM)HawaiiMongoose Wrote:  I just looked at an aerial video of the Lahaina fire damage and it shows that the Lahaina Civic Center (where the Maui Invitational is played) is undamaged.

There are good reasons to relocate the tournament this year, e.g. the need to restore/repair critical infrastructure and the need to use visitor accommodations as temporary shelter for families who lost homes. But if it came down to having a place to play, the venue is still there.

If there are no room and food accommodations or not suitable for the teams and ESPN staff, they have no choice but to move it.

The only reason NOT to move it might be if it is used as focal event for relief fund raising.

Actually, that should be done even if it is moved.

(08-18-2023 08:28 AM)Claw Wrote:  The only reason NOT to move it might be if it is used as focal event for relief fund raising.

Actually, that should be done even if it is moved.

Having the event there would inherently help the local economy. Relief Aid is great and needed but for an economy (I'm assuming) that relies so heavily on tourist dollars losing events like these would be an extra gut punch. Of course the hotels, infrastructure etc. have to be available along with the venue.

There are plenty of resorts on Maui that were untouched. The drives to the Lahaina Civic Center would be inconvenient, but it would allow them to keep the tournament on the island.

They'll try everything possible to keep the tournament there.

(08-18-2023 10:01 AM)mturn017 Wrote:  

(08-18-2023 08:28 AM)Claw Wrote:  The only reason NOT to move it might be if it is used as focal event for relief fund raising.

Actually, that should be done even if it is moved.

Having the event there would inherently help the local economy. Relief Aid is great and needed but for an economy (I'm assuming) that relies so heavily on tourist dollars losing events like these would be an extra gut punch. Of course the hotels, infrastructure etc. have to be available along with the venue.

I think some of the resorts were damage as well.

(08-18-2023 10:06 AM)johnintx Wrote:  There are plenty of resorts on Maui that were untouched. The drives to the Lahaina Civic Center would be inconvenient, but it would allow them to keep the tournament on the island.

They'll try everything possible to keep the tournament there.

I think it really depends on who "they" is. The LOCAL organizers should get to make the call, not someone who isn't there (like ESPN).

There's no reason to have seven or eight NCAA teams and fan bases fly out to take hotel rooms and resources if those are needed for more important stuff. If they need to FEED residents, then you don't bring in basketball tourists looking who've gotta eat something, too.

The tourism dollars helping the economy is a valid point, but there's a time for it and that time is different based on the level/situation of things... I.E. - NYC inviting people to visit after 9/11 was a lot sooner than New Orleans after Katrina.

Maybe move it to Oahu and use proceeds to help out Lahaina. Such a terrible disaster to an amazing little town.

(08-18-2023 05:42 PM)esayem Wrote:  Maybe move it to Oahu and use proceeds to help out Lahaina. Such a terrible disaster to an amazing little town.

Or better, keep it on Maui and move it to the other side of the island.

(08-18-2023 02:27 PM)JSchmack Wrote:  

(08-18-2023 10:06 AM)johnintx Wrote:  There are plenty of resorts on Maui that were untouched. The drives to the Lahaina Civic Center would be inconvenient, but it would allow them to keep the tournament on the island.

They'll try everything possible to keep the tournament there.

I think it really depends on who "they" is. The LOCAL organizers should get to make the call, not someone who isn't there (like ESPN).

There's no reason to have seven or eight NCAA teams and fan bases fly out to take hotel rooms and resources if those are needed for more important stuff. If they need to FEED residents, then you don't bring in basketball tourists looking who've gotta eat something, too.

The tourism dollars helping the economy is a valid point, but there's a time for it and that time is different based on the level/situation of things... I.E. - NYC inviting people to visit after 9/11 was a lot sooner than New Orleans after Katrina.

Absolutely, this will be the deciding factor. What’s possible and best for local interests. The tournament can probably move and be fine. It seems a very bad situation with many people displaced. It’s still too early to speculate I think.

(08-18-2023 05:42 PM)esayem Wrote:  Maybe move it to Oahu and use proceeds to help out Lahaina. Such a terrible disaster to an amazing little town.

Best idea yet, +3.

Sorry I'm so late. The Maui I will be hosted in Honolulu this year.

https://mauiinvitational.com/news/2023/9...olulu.aspx

(11-15-2023 01:07 AM)C2__ Wrote:  Sorry I'm so late. The Maui I will be hosted in Honolulu this year.

https://mauiinvitational.com/news/2023/9...olulu.aspx

It was mentioned during the second game of the Champions Classic that the Invitational would be moved to Honolulu and that the exhibition game between Illinois and Kansas had raised over $2M for Maui relief. Apparently, game jerseys and other mementos will be auctioned off to raise additional relief funds.