Hawaii Water Dispute Halts the 2026 Sentry Tournament

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Understanding the Water Dispute Impacting Hawaii's Golf Tournament

Mark recently provided an update on the water dispute in Hawaii that has notably impacted the local community and the golf scene, particularly concerning the event at Kapalua. The Century Tournament in Maui was canceled this year due to the water issues, marking a significant disappointment for both residents and golf enthusiasts. This decision comes after a challenging period for Maui, which has been dealing with the aftermath of COVID-19, the Lahaina Fire, and now the worst drought in its history.

The drought was anticipated early last year, and concerns were raised with the PGA Tour during the Players Championship. Despite early warnings, the extent of the drought led to a last-minute decision to cancel the tournament in July to avoid escalating the situation. This cancellation subsequently opened the door to several litigation lawsuits, further complicating the matter.

The main problem revolves around water distribution rather than scarcity. The region hosts a watershed of 9000 acres at 5000 feet elevation, receiving around 200 inches of rain annually. However, the real issue lies with the outdated water delivery system. The infrastructure, over 100 years old, suffered considerable damage from a storm eight years ago and has since failed to adequately distribute water, leaving places like the bay course in dire conditions, with little prospects of recovery unless substantial repairs are undertaken.

The ongoing litigation seems not to focus directly on the water scarcity but rather on the challenges related to water distribution due to the damaged and antiquated infrastructure. The community remains uncertain about the resolution of this situation and its long-term impacts on the local environment and golf tournaments in the region.