Kansas basketball: 2023 Maui Invitational expected to remain in Hawaii

Despite reports that the Maui Invitational would be moved out of Hawaii due to the devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Kansas basketball will play the tournament in Honolulu this year.

A string of devastating wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii, left dozens of people dead and thousands of citizens displaced from their homes. Historic buildings in the Maui neighborhood were burnt, and one of the venues affected was the Lahaina Civic Center — the home of the Maui Invitational since 1984.

The Kansas Jayhawks and seven other schools are slated to play in the three-day event from Nov. 20-22. However, the status of the tournament was put into jeopardy with no arena to play in.

Although it won’t take place where it normally does, The Athletic reported on Tuesday that the 2023 Maui Invitational would be played at SimpliFi Arena at the Stan Sheriff Center on the island of Oahu.

It is massive news for the community in Lahaina that was affected by the tropical storm. Many of the proceeds from the event will be donated to wildfire relief programs in Lahaina. Having it played locally is a big step up from the Las Vegas area, which was the initial backup option for the Civic Center.

Kansas basketball begins the Maui Invitational on Nov. 20 against host school Chaminade, a Division II university located in Honolulu. The Silverswords played the Jayhawks back in 2015 and 2019 when Kansas won the entire tournament in both years.

The winner of Kansas-Chaminade will take on the winner of UCLA-Marquette. Whichever team advances will face Syracuse, Gonzaga, Purdue, or Tennessee in the championship game on Nov. 22.

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Kansas plays regular season games against North Carolina Central, Manhattan, and Kentucky before the invitational begins. The Jayhawks have a five-day break before the tournament and another one once it concludes. All three games, even the consolation rounds, are played in consecutive days.