The Big Island Holiday Classic has returned to Hilo, bringing many men’s and women’s college basketball teams to the island to compete.
The University of Hawaii at Hilo is hosting men’s teams from University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and women’s teams from the University of Tampa, University of Mary and St. Edwards University are all in town this week to play in the Classic.
The Holiday Classic, which has been hosted on Oahu for the past few years, was moved to Hilo for logistical reasons, according to UH-Hilo Athletic Director Patrick Guillen. All games will be played at the Afook-Chinen Civic Auditorium.
“This is really exciting for us, because we get to play more games at home for the fans, and we save on expenses with less travel to the mainland and Oahu,” Guillen said. “In November and December, we’ll have 21 teams visiting in all, which is huge for Hilo.”
The event, put on by Malika Sport Tours and hosted by UH-Hilo, is a modern reiteration of the Big Island Invitational Tournament from the 1990s, which featured many NCAA Division I programs.
The Big Island Classic moniker was resurrected in winter 2016 when current UH-Hilo’s men’s basketball head coach Kaniela Aiona was at the helm of the Menlo College men’s hoops program.
The one-year stint featured Menlo, Indiana Wesleyan, Benedictine University and Northern New Mexico and was played at Kealakehe High School.
The UH-Hilo men’s team played Central Oklahoma Tuesday and is playing Colorado Springs at 7 p.m. tonight at the civic.
The UH-Hilo women’s team will play St. Edwards at 2:15 p.m. on Thursday and the University of Mary at 4:30 p.m. on Friday.
The December schedule, from Saturday, Dec. 17, to Monday, Dec. 19, will feature a four-team men’s basketball tournament between UH-Hilo, Central Methodist, Valley City State and Milligan.
The women’s slate will be heavy-loaded, with 12 games to be played in three days in December.
“Having the Classic in Hilo is so great, because it benefits the school and the community, especially coming out of the pandemic,” Guillen said. “Hundreds of people will be spending money at hotels, restaurants and other attractions and that will help elevate the local economy.”
Guillen predicts the Classic could bring in about $1.8 million in the short term to the community.
“We’re also looking forward to bringing more basketball to fans out there,” Guillen said. “The Vulcans are playing teams they haven’t played before, and it’ll be a great atmosphere with competitive games.”
UH-Hilo athletics has partnered with the Hawaiian language program to provide literature to visitors and fans about Hawaiian language and culture.
During the Classic in December, UH-Hilo will also be hosting keiki and coach basketball clinics to provide learning opportunities.
More information about the UH-Hilo basketball season and the Holiday Classic can be found at hiloathletics.com/sports/2017/10/12/big-island-holiday-classic.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.