LAHAINA, Hawaii — The Maui Invitational is returning to the Lahaina Civic Center for the first time since wildfires devastated the area and killed 101 people.
The tournament will be played Nov. 25-27 after being shifted to Honolulu earlier this season.
"As a long-standing community partner, we are looking forward to welcoming the Maui Jim Maui Invitational back to Lahaina," Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said in a statement on Thursday. "We appreciate their unwavering support and sensitivity in navigating this difficult time and appreciate their commitment to bringing this much anticipated event back to Maui's community."
The deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century devastated the historic town of Lahaina on Aug. 8, with thousands of residents losing their homes and most of the downtown area burned to ashes. The death toll rose to 101 this month when the remains of 76-year-old Paul Kasprzycki were identified. Two people are still missing.
The Lahaina Civic Center was spared by the flames, but officials opted to shift the Maui Invitational to Oahu. No. 2 Purdue beat No. 4 Marquette in the title game.
The 2024 Maui Invitational includes top-ranked UConn, No. 7 North Carolina, No. 10 Iowa State, No. 13 Auburn and No. 16 Dayton. Colorado, Memphis and Michigan State round out the field.
2024 Maui Invitational invitees
- UConn
- North Carolina
- Iowa State
- Auburn
- Dayton
- Colorado
- Memphis
- Michigan State
SUGGESTED VIDEOS: Colorado Buffaloes
MORE WAYS TO GET 9NEWS
Subscribe to our daily 9NEWSLETTER
Download the 9NEWS APP
iTunes: http://on9news.tv/itunes
Google Play: http://on9news.tv/1lWnC5n
HOW TO ADD THE 9NEWS APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for KUSA.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "9news" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
