Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, University of Hawaii Bring Collegiate Basketball to Maui

The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority along with the University of Hawai‘i and County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development will bring the UH men’s and women’s basketball teams to Maui for a pair of exhibition games against Chaminade University as well as a clinic for grade schoolers in what is billed as Kinipōpō Hīna‘i ma Pukalani, ‘Bows vs. Silverswords, on November 1 and 2.

The basketball clinic will be held at Lahainaluna High School on November 1 before the exhibition games are at Kamehameha Schools Maui on November 2. The women’s game will begin at 2 p.m. and the men’s game will begin at 5 p.m. To help facilitate economic recovery for Maui, the Maui Economic Recovery Commission identified the opportunity for regular community gatherings that promote healing for displaced families and business recovery.

“This partnership with the County of Maui, Hawai‘i Community Foundation and the University of Hawai‘i supports Maui businesses and revitalizes sports tourism by fostering community engagement and infusing tourism’s economic benefits back into the local community,” said Mufi Hannemann, the Hawai’i Tourism Authority’s board chair. “We invite Maui residents to take full advantage of this terrific, free opportunity for our keiki to strengthen their skills and for basketball fans to see both teams showcase their talents right in their backyard.”

Kinipōpō Hīna‘i ma Pukalani, ‘Bows vs. Silverswords is part of efforts to uplift the community and support Maui in its rebuilding efforts with funding administered by the Hawai‘i Community Foundation.

“Sports and recreational activities can play a valuable role in nurturing physical and mental well-being and renewing connections with community,” said Micah Kāne, chief executive officer and president of the Hawai‘i Community Foundation. “We appreciate this partnership with the County of Maui and HTA to support West Maui families in enjoying local basketball games and engaging keiki in skill-building—and the opportunity to provide Maui with an economic boost during the events.”

It will also be a lead-in of sorts for the 2024 Maui Invitational tournament from November 25–27 with a field including Auburn, Colorado, Dayton, Iowa State, Memphis, Michigan State, North Carolina and two-time defending national champion UConn at the Lahaina Civic Center in Maui. The 2023 Maui Invitational was held on the island of Oʻahu while the Lahaina Civic Center served as a hub for Maui wildfire recovery efforts; it was the third time in the last four years the Maui Invitational was not in its usual venue. During the pandemic, the 2020 event was held at Asheville Civic Center in Asheville, North Carolina, while the 2021 event was at Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas.

“It’s an absolute thrill to bring our UH men’s and women’s basketball programs to Maui,” UH Athletics Director Craig Angelos said. “Through the exhibition games and keiki clinic, we hope to entertain, engage and show our aloha to a Maui community that has endured so much in the last year. Mahalo to the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Mufi Hannemann, Maui County, the Hawai‘i Community Foundation and the numerous other supporters in helping make this happen.”