Maui Invitational in Jeopardy??

[77Zag]

Lahaina is wiped out by fire...pray for all. Not good....

https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2023/08/09/coast-guard-joins-brush-fire-response-lahaina-where-crews-continue-battle-wind-whipped-flames/

[ZagNut08]

Was just coming to post the same. Very, very sad day. My in laws have a condo there, so Maui has been our go to vacation spot.

[GUDAD2020]

Yes, the Lahaina devastation is very sad.

[gu03alum]

I don't think we should be worried about the invitational.

Prayers for the people affected by this.

[77Zag]

I don't think we should be worried about the invitational.

Prayers for the people affected by this.

Totally understood and not my intention, but relevant to the board members to get their attention. So sad, and yes prayers to all. Devastating to Maui and it's people.

[Zagceo]

https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2023/aug/09/maui-invitational-monitoring-wildfire-situation-la/

[SorenTodd45]

Worst case scenario would probably be that they move the entire tourney to Las Vegas; that's what happened in 2021.

[daskim]

Never expected anything this catastrophic to happen in West Maui, or anywhere for that matter. So windy they couldn't get fire fighting helicopters in the air.

[SorenTodd45]

The Lahaina Civic Center appears to be undamaged, however, that's not the major issue. The infrastructure of Lahaina has been totally turned upside down (no cell service, no electricity). I realize that Disney is having financial issues, but if the tourney has to be moved (and I think it will be), maybe ESPN can donate some money to the Red Cross to help people who have lost everything in those horrible fires.

[72Prep]

I hope any of us that can, will donate. Especially those of us that have been lucky enough to spend time on Maui and in Lahaina. There are 1000s of people left homeless. They need our help now.

[jazzdelmar]

With corpses still adrift in the Pacific, any talk about the effects of the catastrophe on sports is unseemly, IMO.

[SorenTodd45]

https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/hawaii-wildfires-devastate-area-around-lahaina-civic-center-and-home-of-maui-invitational-wont-be-the-same/

[Goshzagit]

A sad tragedy. Death toll nearing 60 now.

The Civic Center is standing, yet structures within a few feet have burned around it. The town of Lahaina is nearly gone, including the docks, and all.

The hotels to the North are fine, they could accommodate, yet Maui Invite only 3 months away. They will be in the midst of a rebuild. I highly doubt this event will continue, unless they move venues/cities.

It could be a rally cry of sorts, and raise money to rehabilitate, etc, yet too soon imho. They need time to heal and construct their lives again -- both literally and figuratively.

[ZagNut08]

Either way, I hope the tournament can be a great opportunity to raise funds to assist and highlight the devastation. Been so sad watching it unfold and see all the historical and cultural losses, on top of the loss of life.

[HenneZag]

Truly devastating. I will be heading out with IMT team to help out for a couple weeks. Go Zags!