High school sports on Maui remain in limbo as the athletic directors of the Maui Interscholastic Association have held a series of meetings to determine a way forward in the aftermath of the island’s devastating wildfires.

Maui’s primary team sports of the fall — football for boys and volleyball for girls — are effectively in stasis until a reworked master schedule is announced. At issue is whether Lahainaluna High School will be allowed to compete with much of its community displaced and the school closed indefinitely. Most of the rest of the MIL has been in a holding pattern, practicing without a known date to begin league competition. Meanwhile, the rest of the state is playing like normal; football teams are entering their third weekend of sanctioned games.

What You Need To Know

  • Maui’s primary team sports of the fall — football for boys and volleyball for girls — are effectively in stasis in the wake of the island's devastating wildfires until a reworked master schedule is announced by the MIL

  • MIL athletic directors have continued to meet on the subject of Lahainaluna High School and whether it can compete this fall, and in what capacity

  • Many displaced Lahaina students have already found new homes at other schools

  • Fall sports with a greater individual component like cross country and bowling were set to resume this weekend

Jordan Helle, a Maui native and broadcaster for Spectrum OC16 and ESPN Maui, said the issue of when and how to proceed with sports is complicated for Valley Isle residents. As of Wednesday, the official death toll was 115 and over 1,000 people were missing, according to the FBI.

“For a lot of folks, it may not be time yet to go, and I respect that,” Helle, an assistant coach with Baldwin High football, told Spectrum News. “But others might be…looking for some sort of direction on how things are going to proceed.”

King Kekaulike High, in Upcountry Maui, also experienced a full pause for school after high winds damaged the campus, but students were to return on Wednesday.

Many displaced Lahaina students have already found new homes at other schools as there appears to be no timetable on when Lahainaluna High — which overlooks the devastated historic town — will reopen.

Among the topics said to be in discussion by the athletic directors is whether students who’ve transferred can compete under a Lahainaluna flag while at another school, and what would happen to former Lunas if Lahainaluna reopened — possibly virtually — and found a way to field teams at midseason.

An MIL athletic director reached by Spectrum News on Tuesday said all of the ADs have been restricted from commenting on the progress of their meetings.

Helle said he sympathized with the ADs’ dilemma.

“It’s such a hard thing to adjust with everything going on, because you’re juggling a lot of things,” he said. “First and foremost trying to be respectful of all the loss that’s been suffered on this island, both in Lahaina and some of the homes that have been destroyed Upcountry as well."

“There’s still a sense of sorrow and sadness around the island, and frustration as well, generally speaking. People have rallied around and doing their best to be positive, but I think understandably so. They’re searching for answers. They’re still grieving in a lot of ways,” he continued.

Helle pointed out that the community had a fresh memory of the effect of a lack of team sports and the absence of camaraderie with peers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“When you’re trying to plan and get back to a little bit of routine and normalcy, when it’s prep sports or anything else when it comes to schools…you have to be mindful of that, and I think the schools and athletic directors are doing that,” Helle said. “I commend them for that.”

Fall sports with a greater individual component like cross country and bowling were set to resume this weekend. The resumption of eight-man football — which Hana, Lanai, Molokai and Seabury Hall play — was possible as well.

Rob Collias of the Maui News reported that more is expected to be known on Thursday after the MIL and Board of Education meet.

Earlier this week, the MIL issued a statement through the HHSAA:

“The Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) extends its heartfelt sympathy and support for Lahaina and our Maui ohana during this most difficult time. School athletics will be an important part of the healing process for all Maui communities and the MIL will be releasing their Fall Sports schedules soon."

“These schedules, which include both public and private schools in Maui County, are being developed to accommodate the fluid circumstances created by the Maui wildfires. All options are being considered and may include game rescheduling when possible based on venue availability. Due to the limitations of the school calendar, forfeits and/or teams not participating or completing the Fall Season may be necessary, but every accommodation will be made to help support our teams."

“Any scheduled games for Lahainaluna and King Kekaulike on all of the schedules are tentative pending school reopening dates. The focus for these schools will be to ensure safety and make certain that student athletes will not jeopardize their academic progress and graduation standing."

“We thank all of our Maui families for their patience and understanding as we work together to support our student athletes.”

Sporting events of national prominence that are held annually on Maui, like the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at Lahaina Civic Center and the Sentry Tournament of Champions at the Kapalua Plantation Course, also face uncertain futures.

Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.