The wildfire that raged through Maui destroyed communities and families, but now relief is pouring in from all over, including the world of sports.
In the NBA, the Utah Jazz and LA Clippers announced that they will donate of all of the proceeds from their preseason opener to the Maui Strong Fund to benefit wildfire relief efforts.
“We are pleased to announce that all proceeds from our first preseason game with the Los Angeles Clippers, which will take place on Oahu on October 8, will be donated to the Maui Strong Fund to benefit wildfire relief,” said the Jazz in a statement. “In joining with the Clippers in Hawai’i, we are proud to work alongside the Hawai’i Tourism Authority in support of its residents and provide continued visibility of ongoing relief efforts. The Utah Jazz prioritize community stewardship as a core value and are focused on showing the greatest care and concern for the victims of the devastating Maui wildfires. We are proud to partner with the Clippers on this trip that will be so much bigger than basketball.”
The game will be played on Sunday, Oct. 8 at SimpliFi Arena in Honolulu.
“The Clippers organization, under Steve Ballmer, has always prioritized making a positive impact beyond the basketball court, and HTA is proud to work alongside them to mālama Hawai‘i – to care for our beloved home,” said Kalani Ka‘anā‘anā, Chief Brand Officer of the Hawai’i Tourism Association.
The wildfire that ripped through the island devastated thousands of acres and homes, hitting the city of Lahaina the hardest. And while its mostly contained, firefighters are still battling some of the fire on parts of the island.