HONOLULU — More than a year after the catastrophic Maui wildfire devastated the community, TJ Rickard and his family have still not managed to rebuild their homes. As a high school basketball coach, Rickard is torn about the return of the historically significant Maui Invitational college basketball tournament next week. While there is palpable excitement about top-tier basketball being showcased in Lahaina, Rickard fears that it may create the impression that everything has returned to normal in a town still grappling with the aftermath of the disaster, which resulted in at least 102 fatalities and the destruction of thousands of homes.

“Just a short drive from the venue, there are still houses that remain in ruins, awaiting reconstruction,” said Rickard, who serves as the boys’ head coach at Lahainaluna High School.

Locals are hopeful that the upcoming tournament will not only highlight high-quality competition but also stimulate the economy. However, there is growing anxiety that visitors might inadvertently show disrespect by wandering through the Lahaina burn zone to take photos of the devastation or spark painful memories by inquiring about that tragic day.