On the picturesque island of Maui, surrounded by the Pacific Ocean, lies the small town of Lahaina. Amidst this backdrop is a golf course that is not only a dream location for golf lovers, but also a symbol of a community’s strength and determination in the face of tragedy. In the new season of Adventures in Golf, Erik Anders Lang tells the story of Kapalua – a golf course in the place that was the scene of the deadliest wildfire disaster in America in the century.
Maui devastated by forest fire
In August 2023, images of the devastating forest fires on Maui, which almost completely destroyed some places on the island, went around the world. Lang, who usually visits the golf courses directly on his travels, first meets Archie, a local leader and water activist who was one of the first to take a stand against the fire. “The reason for this fire was a lack of water,” he explains. Kapalua and the surrounding communities were threatened by the dry heat of the fire. Now Archie and his fellow campaigners are working to reclaim the water they so desperately needed. Steve Sims, a former Air Force veteran and lover of Hawaiian culture, whom Lang meets next, has also joined the fight. Together they are now working to restore the island’s water sources and bring the vital rivers and streams back to life.
Adventures in Golf: The history of golf in Kapalua
One of the most fascinating personalities in Kapalua’s history is golf legend Arnold Palmer. Palmer played a crucial role in the development of the Kapalua Golf Course in its early days. His dedication and passion for the game was instrumental in making Kapalua the renowned golf destination it is today. Mark Raling, a legend in the golf commentary circuit, has also been instrumental in shaping the history of golf on Maui. Among other things, Raling was the tournament director of the first international tournament on the golf course, the Kapalua International. Since the early days of the event, which began in the 1980s, the golf course has had a long tradition of top-class competitions. One of the most famous tournaments is the annual Tournament of Champions, formerly known as The Plantation Course Championship. This event marks the official start of the PGA Tour season and attracts the best golfers in the world. In the video, Raling recalls the humble beginnings of Kapalua Golf Course in the 1970s. “We basically started from nothing and built this little community,” he says.
The importance of Kapalua extends far beyond golf. After the devastating fire, the resort opened its doors to those who had lost everything. Harrison Delgado, Director of Room Operations at the Ritz Carlton, right on the golf course, remembers the emotional time after the fire. “The tables were covered with blankets and pillows, and it was a free space for anyone who needed help,” he says. “It was about supporting each other in a time of need and being a community.” Despite the tragedy and loss, Kapalua has shown amazing resilience. Tanata, principal of a local school, proudly recounts how the school reopened just three weeks after the fire, providing a stable environment for the children. “Our school is more than just an educational institution,” she says, “it’s a place of hope and cohesion that helps the children get through the difficult times.”