Sun, Surf & Hoops: Your Questions Answered
As the Southwest Maui Invitational celebrates its 42nd annual Tournament as the nation's premier early-season college basketball tournament, here are answers to some of your most common questions.
** Prior to arrival, we also encourage you to look over the dedicated "Know Before You Go Page" linked here on the official Tournament website for more helpful Tournament-related information. **
What's the story behind the Tournament? How did it all start?
In 1982, No. 1-ranked Virginia stopped in Honolulu to play Chaminade, an NAIA school at the time, on its return from an early season trip to Japan. The Cavaliers were led by three-time National Player of the Year and future No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Ralph Sampson. Meanwhile, Chaminade was in its basketball infancy, having started its program during the 1976-77 season. After 40 minutes in Honolulu, on Dec. 23, 1982, the final score rocked the college basketball landscape: Chaminade 77, Virginia 72.
After news began to spread throughout the country the following day, media outlets proclaimed the game as the greatest upset in college basketball history, an argument that remains to this day. Terry Holland, the head coach of Virginia, encouraged Chaminade to start inviting teams out to Hawaii to participate in a tournament. Two years after that historic upset, Chaminade hosted the inaugural Silversword Invitational, which was held at Konawaena High School in Kona. Then in 1985, the Tournament transitioned to War Memorial Gymnasium in Wailuku, Maui, before relocating to its current, and iconic, home at the Lahaina Civic Center in 1987.
How many teams compete in the Southwest Maui Invitational?
The first two Tournaments included four teams and was completed over two days. In 1986, the field expanded to eight teams, and everyone played three games in three days for the next 25 years. Then in 2011, the Tournament expanded once again, this time to 12 teams.
The Tournament then transitioned to a three-round structure - the Opening Games, Regional Games and Championship Round. Eleven teams competed in the Opening Games, as the seven continental-U.S. "Island Schools" hosted one game each against the four "Mainland Schools." After the Opening Games were completed, the four "Mainland Schools" traveled to a mainland host to play in the Regional Games. There, each school played two games over two days. The eight "Island Schools" then traveled to the Lahaina Civic Center to conduct the Championship Round of the Tournament.
The current format of the Tournament features 12 games at the Lahaina Civic Center with eight teams playing three games in three days for the Wayne Duke Championship Trophy.
How can I be a safe, responsible and respectful visitor?
Maui's communities are still healing from the disaster they have experienced. Respectfully visiting Maui right now means visiting with aloha and empathy. Expect a little wait time for food or other services. Approach conversations mindfully and be sensitive as to avoid triggering memories that survivors may not be ready to share. Should a Maui resident open up to you, your comfort and understanding are much appreciated. Respectful travel also includes the following: staying away from fire-affected areas, supporting and buying local, participating in a volunteer experience, and donating to those affected.
The Malama Maui County Pledge asks visitors to acknowledge, protect, respect, and learn about the islands' culture, natural resources, and community during their stay.
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I pledge to ho`oma`ema`e (do what is right) while visiting the islands and waters of Maui County.
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I will mindfully experience the breathtaking natural beauty of the `āina (land) and the welcoming aloha spirit of its po`e (people).
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I will be ha'aha'a (humble) and no`ono`o (thoughtful) in my actions.
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I will remember that each step I take is upon land that is someone else's home, sacred site, and living history.
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If I do not know proper, respectful, or safe behavior, it is my kuleana (responsibility) to 'imi na'auao (seek knowledge) and ask before acting.
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I will be maka'ala (aware) while swimming and hiking, and I will respect the strength and power of ocean currents, rushing streams and the variable and unfamiliar terrain of these islands.
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I will admire wildlife from a safe and respectful distance, as Hawai`i is the endangered species capital of the world.
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I will take nothing from this wahi (place) but memories and leave nothing but gratitude.
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I pledge to mālama (take care of) Maui County and remember that: he ali`i ka `āina; he kauā ke kanaka. "The land is a chief; man is its servant.
Enjoying the tropical climate also means being sun-smart. Because chemicals in some sunscreens can wash off our bodies and harm marine life, the County of Maui bans the sale and use of non-mineral sunscreens. Mama Kuleana is a Tournament-favorite sunscreen.
What are some of the most unique local food offerings found on Maui?
While you're on island, be sure to try some of Maui's local delicacies! Kalua pork - it's a giant pig that is roasted in an underground oven lined with thick banana leaves; poke - a flavorful raw fish salad appetizer served cold; poi - a creamy pudding-like dessert made of native taro plants; mahi mahi - a mild and delicious local fish; sweet and delicious teriyaki beef; the rum-based mai tai; and locally-grown coffee and brewed-on-Maui beer.
How does the Tournament contribute to the island's economy?
Each year, nearly 5,000 out-of-state visitors - boosters, players, officials, team and game personnel, media representatives, sponsors, production crews and basketball fans alike - travel to the Southwest Maui Invitational. During 2014, the Tournament generated an estimated $13.3 million plus for the local economy, bringing the economic impact total since the Tournaments debut in 1984 to over $190 million.
How does the intimately-sized Lahaina Civic Center deal with a major sporting event?
A multipurpose sports and recreation facility for 362 days of the year, Maui's Lahaina Civic Center transforms into a mecca of college basketball for three days each November. It takes a passionate and dedicated staff to prepare the Lahaina Civic Center for three of the most exciting days on the college basketball calendar.
Its 2,400 seats make it one of the most intimate and raucous environments for college basketball fans, coaches and players. Only 15 rows separate the 'nosebleeds' from the hardwood – there truly is not a bad seat in the house. The warm and friendly environment, combined with the excitement of the nation's top collegiate men's basketball programs going head to head, makes the Lahaina Civic Center one of the most unique venues in all of sports.
Over the years, the County of Maui has invested more than $1.6 million to make the venue an inviting atmosphere for fans, alumni and locals. Through the years, upgrades to the bleachers, scoreboards, lighting, and the addition of permanent air conditioning in 2003, have enhanced the experience for teams and fans alike. When wildfires devastated the town of Lahaina in August 2023 and moved the Tournament to the island of O'ahu, the Lahaina Civic Center stepped up to serve as a critical community hub for Maui's wildfire recovery efforts.
What company manages the Tournament?
Since 1990, the Southwest Maui Invitational has been managed and operated by KemperSports LIVE, a full-service sports and events agency. In addition to the Tournament, KemperSports LIVE produces and manages major national events such as the McDonald's All American Games and the POWERADE Jam Fest. Its team works year-round on everything from operations and ticket management to public relations and hospitality so that when the world's eyes turn to college basketball, the Southwest Maui Invitational is a best-in-class operation from tip-off to the awards ceremony.
When do tickets go on sale each year?
Tickets for the Tournament are sold in different waves throughout the year. All Tournament and Booster Tournament travel packages go on sale towards the middle of January and will close in early August. Once the travel packages have closed, Ticket only packages will go on sale. If you want to be one of the first to know about ticket travel packages in future years and learn more, join the Hoops Club on the official Tournament site.
My friends are back in the continental U.S. How can they watch the games too?
ESPN will once again offer broadcast coverage of all 12 games. Each game will be produced and aired on either ESPN, ESPN 2 and ESPNU or streamed on WatchESPN.com or the ESPN App. To see which ESPN network each game will air on, click this year's bracket here.
Who are the ESPN broadcasters sitting courtside?
You might recognize some familiar faces on the sidelines and college basketball's finest: Jay Bilas, Dan Shulman, Cory Alexander and native Hawaiian Kanoa Leahey.
This year, we also remember the late, great Bill Walton, whose love of Maui and the Southwest Maui Invitational came through in every broadcast and helped make these three days during Thanksgiving week so fun and memorable. He will forever be synonymous with the Southwest Maui Invitational, and we will miss the joy he brought us all.
What do the Southwest Maui Invitational champions win?
Besides early-season bragging rights, the winning team is awarded the coveted Wayne Duke Championship Trophy, a 2.5-foot solid sterling silver trophy engraved with the team names of all past champions. In addition, the winning team is given a souvenir take-home championship trophy - a 3-foot surfboard made of native koa wood - to be displayed in the team's on-campus trophy case. The head coach is presented a maile and tuberose lei, signifying protection for the wearer that bestows good luck.
How are the All-Tournament Team and MVP selected?
Each year, the Tournament recognizes the top performers by naming an All-Tournament Team made up of players who significantly contributed to their team's success. The All-Tournament Team and Most Valuable Player awards are selected through a media voting process, in which on-site media submit a ballot of the five players for the All-Tournament Team and a single most valuable player. In 2008, the Tournament MVP was renamed the Dr. Sue Wesselkamper Award for Most Valuable Player in honor of Chaminade University's beloved former president.
Who officiates the Tournament?
The Southwest Maui Invitational and former NCAA National Coordinator of Men's Basketball Officiating J.D. Collins annually selects 12 of the best officials in the country to patrol the sidelines in Maui.
What are the Admission Guidelines for the Tournament?
Event security and guest protection are a top priority at the Southwest Maui Invitational. Standards of public safety, admission and appropriate behavior will be enforced. The Tournament reserves the right to deny admission or revoke event attendance.
Valid Tournament credential, ticket and/or wristband is required of all guests and working staff to enter the Event Grounds. Guests without a valid ticket or general public seeking access to the property, will require a Venue Access Pass, which will be processed at the designated gate station.
All persons entering the Event Grounds will be security inspected, including but not limited to magnetometer scan or body search, as deemed appropriate. This requirement includes all guests, media, team personnel, working staff and general public seeking access to the property.
Additionally, all bags, deliveries, supplies/merchandise and/or items intended to be carried into Event Grounds will be subject to security search at the designated gate stations prior to entering. The person with the item(s) will be required to open and identify contents and/or personal items.
We appreciate your cooperation!
