Local businesses get much-needed boost as Maui Invitational returns

LAHAINA (HawaiiNewsNow) – A festival is underway in West Maui celebrating the return of the Maui Invitational college basketball tournament.
Dozens of local businesses are getting a much-needed boost at the Royal Lahaina Resort and Bungalow’s new outdoor gathering oasis, The Branches, this week as they scatter across the open-air courtyard.
The three-day celebration began on Sunday to kick off the prestigious tournament.
Each night, there is also a free concert featuring local musicians.
The festival, put on by The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement along with the Hawaii Tourism Authority and the Hawaii Community Foundation, brings music, culture, and community together to support the people of Maui after last year’s devastating fires.
Tina Delima, owner of Lahaina Jewelry, lost her family store on Front Street in the fire. She said the tournament brought in a lot of business over the years and is glad it has returned.
“What a great opportunity to get back out there and just letting people know that we are still working, we are still here. We’re still selling jewelry if needed, especially during the holiday season,” she said.
There are approximately 25 Maui-based vendors at the festival and several more at the tournament.
One vendor at the tournament, Kuuipo Lilikoi-VanBuren, is making eyelash yarn lei. Kuuipo said it takes her about two hours to make one lei and she made more than 500. She almost sold out on the first day.
“We all know what the disaster did to Lahaina, the economy here. This is going to definitely go back into the community for sure,” she said.
She said part of the proceeds will go to Leialii, a Department of Hawaiian Homes Lands residential community in Lahaina, Festivals of Aloha, and to help Halau Hula O Kauhionamauna attend the Merrie Monarch Festival next year.
The college basketball tournament started at the Lahaina Civic Center in 1984. It moved to North Carolina in 2020 and to Las Vegas in 2021 because of the pandemic. Then it moved to Oahu last year because of the fires.
Residents are also happy it is back on island.
“Super uplifting,” said Upcountry resident Shayla Vegas. “This is awesome. I think over the last year from where we were, until now, I think this is a great event for us and for the people of Lahaina. So, this is awesome to be out here today and be able to watch the basketball.”
The makeke, or market, goes until 9 p.m. each night. The concert begins each night at 6 p.m.
There are also still tickets left for the basketball games.
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