– click on image for full size.

I watched the University of Hawaii play against Chicago State last night on the island of Maui in the Lahina Civic Center, the home of the Maui Invitational. Granted this wasn’t the caliber of play you’ll see @ the Maui Invitational, but who doesn’t love a college basketball game!? Right? And what’s better than D1 basketball in a high school size gym? Such a great feel! Add to that the fact that the gym is about 1,000 meters from the ocean… sick!

The Maui Invitational is a must see on my 2011 list. Just checkout the history of the amazing teams and players who have taken part in the tournament. It takes place in November.

UConn won the 2010 tournament and UConn’s Kemba Walker was tournament MVP.

The 2011 field includes Duke, Georgetown, Kansas, Memphis, Michigan, Tennessee, UCLA and host Chaminade as well as four additional teams yet to be announced.

Tournament Champions
2009 Gonzaga (vs. Cincinnati – 61, 59)
2008 North Carolina (vs. Notre Dame – 102, 87)
2007 Duke (vs. Marquette – 77, 73)
2006 UCLA (vs. Georgia Tech – 88, 73)
2005 Connecticut (vs. Gonzaga – 65, 63)
2004 North Carolina (vs. Iowa – 106, 92)
2003 Dayton (vs. Hawaii – 82, 72)
2002 Indiana (vs. Virginia – 70, 63)
2001 Duke (vs. Ball State – 83, 71)
2000 Arizona (vs. Illinois – 79, 76)
1999 North Carolina (vs. Purdue – 90, 75)
1998 Syracuse (vs. Indiana – 76, 63)
1997 Duke (vs. Arizona – 95, 87)
1996 Kansas (vs. Virginia – 80, 63)
1995 Villanova (vs. North Carolina – 77, 75)
1994 Arizona State (vs. Maryland – 97, 90)
1993 Kentucky (vs. Arizona – 93, 92)
1992 Duke (vs. BYU – 89, 66)
1991 Michigan State (vs. Arkansas – 86, 71)
1990 Syracuse (vs. Indiana – 77, 74)
1989 Missouri (vs. North Carolina – 80, 73)
1988 Michigan (vs. Oklahoma – 91, 80)
1987 Iowa (vs. Villanova – 97, 74)
1986 Vanderbilt (vs. New Mexico – 87, 71)
1985 Michigan (vs. Kansas State – 80, 58)
1984 Providence (vs. Chaminade – 60, 58)

Tournament Most Valuable Players
2009 (TIE) Steven Gray and Matt Bouldin, Gonzaga
2008 Ty Lawson, North Carolina
2007 Kyle Singler, Duke
2006 Darren Collison, UCLA
2005 Adam Morrison, Gonzaga
2004 Raymond Felton, North Carolina
2003 Keith Waleskowski, Dayton
2002 Bracey Wright, Indiana
2001 Mike Dunleavy, Duke
2000 Michael Wright, Arizona
1999 Joseph Forte, North Carolina
1998 Jason Hart, Syracuse
1997 Steve Wojciechowski, Duke
1996 Raef LaFrentz, Kansas
1995 Kerry Kittles, Villanova University
1994 Mario Bennett, Arizona State
1993 Travis Ford, Kentucky
1992 (TIE) Bobby Hurley, Duke | Anfernee Hardaway, Memphis State
1991 George Gilmore, Chaminade
1990 Billy Owens, Syracuse
1989 Doug Smith, Missouri
1988 Glenn Rice, Michigan
1987 Entire Iowa Team
1986 Will Purdue, Vanderbilt
1985 Dell Curry, Virginia Tech
1984 Patrick Langlois, Chaminade

I spent five months recently on the island of Maui and it is very much the “Bend” of Hawaii. If you love Central Oregon and all it has to offer in outdoor activities, then you’d likely love Maui. If you are planning on going to Maui and want to make the most of your time there, you need to start by getting the book “Maui Revealed.” It is by far the best guide to the island. Complete with all of Maui’s activities and accommodations. Start your trip with Maui Revealed.

– A photo I took on the trail in Wai’anapanapa State Park.

For some reason there is a strong Central Oregon/Maui connection. I’m not positive why that is but I’m guessing it has to do with the adventures and lifestyle that both provide. The Hawaiian island of Maui has numerous great hiking trails like Bend. Here are a few of my favorites.
• Seven sacred pools (Loop – Hana) – Maybe the most well known hike in Maui, the pools themselves are truly amazing. One of the prettier places you’ll ever see. Don’t expect to have the trail to yourself, this is a VERY popular place, but well worth checking out.
• Swinging bridges (Out and back – Waihee) – This is a really nice hike on “the other side of the island.” Worth doing for several reasons, one of which is that you may spend a lot of time in Maui and never go to Waihee unless you have this hike as a destination. Another reason is for the nice swimming hole @ the end of the hike.
• Iao valley (Out and back – Wailuku) – This is a hike I made several times and every time was different because you have so many trail options. This hike is a must because of the view you get of the valley all the way to the ocean, truly amazing.
• Wai’anapanapa State Park (Out and back – Hana) – This is my favorite hike by far! First is the fact that I’ve done it twice and never seen another person on the trail (once you get outside of the camping area) second is because it follows the most beautiful shore line and you get to have the ocean right next to you the whole way and third because the volcanic lava rock that forms the shoreline makes for the coolest crashing waves I’ve ever seen.

For great info on all-things Maui, checkout the book “Maui Revealed.” It’s no doubt the best book about Maui, everything from activities to where to stay to where to eat… and where not to eat! A must if you are headed to Maui.