MAUI, HAWAII (March 11, 2015) – Two of Maui's most iconic brands, Maui Jim Sunglasses and the Maui Invitational, have joined together to bring the aloha spirit to basketball fans across the nation and the world. Maui Jim, the premium polarized sunglasses company founded on the beaches of Lahaina just minutes from the Lahaina Civic Center, has claimed title to the nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational.
 
The aloha spirit permeates every aspect of Maui Jim. Inspired by the beauty and culture of the island, Maui Jim makes sunglasses that enable beauty, color and clarity to be seen at their finest.
 
The Maui Invitational has been a magnet for the nation's top college basketball programs and fans for the past 31 years. Not only are some of the most exciting early-season basketball games on display, but the limitless Maui sun and beautiful water inspire thousands of basketball fans to visit the island each year.
 
"When we looked at the Maui Invitational, we saw an incredibly organic partnership," said Jay Black, vice president, global brand marketing at Maui Jim. "Both brands place a premium on quality, and both are inextricably tied to the island of Maui. We intend to leverage the strength of each other's shared history to reach consumers across the globe."
 
"We welcome Maui Jim into our family as title sponsor of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational and look forward to collectively bringing Maui to life," said Tom Valdiserri, executive vice president of KemperLesnik, the tournament's operator. "Whether among the thousands at the Lahaina Civic Center or the millions watching at home, basketball fans know that the best early-season competition happens in Maui. There is no doubt that Maui No Ka 'Oi – Maui is the best."
 
The 2015 Maui Jim Maui Invitational will take place Nov. 23-25 and will feature four of the winningest programs in college basketball history, including Indiana, Kansas, St. John's and UCLA. The quartet will also be joined by UNLV, Wake Forest and Vanderbilt, along with host Chaminade, for the 32nd annual event at the Lahaina Civic Center. The teams in this year's field have won 20 national championships, made 47 trips to the Final Four and earned 215 NCAA Tournament berths.
 
All-Tournament Reserved Travel Packages are now on sale at www.mauiinvitational.com/travel or by contacting the Tournament Travel Department at 800-826-3822.
 
About Maui Jim Sunglasses
Now the fastest growing premium polarized sunglass maker in the world, Maui Jim got its start in 1980 as a small company selling sunglasses on the beach in Lahaina, Hawaii. Seeing a need in the market for technology that could combat intense glare and harmful UV while bringing the brilliant colors of the island to life, Maui Jim engineered the revolutionary PolarizedPlus® lens. Incorporated into seven sunglass styles, our Classic Collection was introduced. And with that, Maui Jim steadily built a cult following that now includes sales in over 100 countries with 450 unique styles.
 
About the Maui Jim Maui Invitational
In December 1982, then No. 1 ranked Virginia, led by National College Player of the Year Ralph Sampson, played little-known NAIA Chaminade University in Honolulu while on the way back from a trip to Tokyo. The Silverswords stunned Virginia 77-72 in one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history. Two years later, in 1984, Chaminade University hosted the first Maui Invitational and it has proven to be the premier early-season college basketball tournament for 31 years running. Each year, the Maui Jim Maui Invitational attracts the top programs, best-known coaches and most outstanding players to compete in an exciting atmosphere at the Lahaina Civic Center near the beautiful beaches of Maui.
 
About Tournament Sponsors
Other tournament sponsors include the Maui Visitors Bureau, County of Maui Department of Parks and Recreation, Hawaii Tourism Authority, adidas, GEICO and Hawaiian Airlines. The Hyatt Regency Maui Resort & Spa, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa and Westin Maui Resort & Spa, all located in the beautiful Ka'anapali Beach Resort area, serve as host hotels.
 
About Chaminade University
Chaminade University, the only Catholic university in Hawaii, provides a rich educational experience. Chaminade is a place where people grow: professionally, intellectually and spiritually. The Society of Mary, the Marianists, founded Chaminade University in 1955 (as St. Louis Junior College.) Chaminade University offers its students an education in a collaborative learning environment that prepares them for life, service and successful careers.
 
About KemperLesnik
KemperLesnik is a sports marketing, events and public relations agency. Ranked by Crain's Chicago Business among Chicago's top PR agencies, KemperLesnik produces integrated communications programs and manages major national events, including the Maui Jim Maui Invitational, the CBS SPORTS Classic, the McDonald's All American Games, the POWERADE Jam Fest and activation for KitchenAid and its PGA of America partnership. KemperLesnik has operated the Maui Jim Maui Invitational since 1990. For more information, visit www.kemperlesnik.com.