Maui Invitational announces auction, including KU gear, to benefit fire relief efforts
Maui Invitational officials have launched a “Hoops for ‘Ohana” online auction and fundraiser in support of the Hawaii Community Foundation’s “Maui Strong” Fund.
The auction, which opened Thursday, will remain available to contributors through Nov. 22. Fans can access the auction at mauiinvitational.com/hoopsforohana or by texting MAUIINV to 76278.
Many college and NBA teams, including Kansas — which will play in the 2023 Maui Invitational on Nov. 20-22 either in Lahaina, Maui, site of this summer’s devastating fires, or an alternate site — have contributed items to the auction. A tournament official told The Star on Friday an update on the tournament should be provided by next Friday, Sept. 15.
The Maui Strong Fund is dedicated to providing financial resources for rapid response and recovery from this summer’s wildfires in Maui.
All fans will have the opportunity to bid on items donated by past Maui Invitational basketball programs and tournament partners, purchase Maui Strong T-shirts as well as make donations.
A Jayhawk men’s basketball package, which Friday had a current bid of $1,074, is available at auction. The package includes the following items:
Autographed Bill Self basketball
2023 KU Big 12 champs T-shirts
2022 National Champions hat, T-shirt and hoodie
2022 Final Four apparel
Framed 2022 National Champions photo.
Also available for purchase are Items such as Maui Invitational surfboards signed by past tournament coaches, including KU’s Self, Mike Krzyzewski and Tom Izzo.
The Maui Invitational posted a video on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday explaining the initiative.
“If you’ve experienced ‘Maui Magic,’ you understand the impact the Maui Invitational has on the island and the larger college basketball community,” said tournament chair Dave Odom. “As our Maui ‘Ohana faces the task of rebuilding a place that has come to mean so much to so many of us, we are leaning on our Maui fans and supporters to rally together and give back.”
KU will play Illinois in an exhibition game on Oct. 29 in Champaign, Illinois, with all proceeds from the game benefiting Maui relief. Michigan State will play host to Tennessee on Oct. 29 and Hawaii will play host to Saint Mary’s on Oct. 20 in Honolulu with the proceeds going to Maui relief.
Tourney officials have said they will meet with government officials in Maui to decide where the event will be held this season. The Lahaina Civic Center, site of the tourney, was not damaged by the recent fires in Maui.
