Hula Bowl will remain on Maui

Associated Press

WAILUKU, Maui — The head of the Hula Bowl said yesterday that he has no plans to move the college football all-star game from Maui.

Leonard Klompus, Hula Bowl's chief executive officer, said there is an agreement "in principal" to keep the game on the Valley Isle for the next five years. The agreement is expected to receive official approval from Maui County on Feb. 12.

The current contract with the county expires after tomorrow's game.

Klompus said he was approached about moving the game back to O'ahu or even to the Mainland.

"It doesn't mean I'm going to," he said.

The Hula Bowl moved to Maui's War Memorial Stadium five years ago, after 51 years on O'ahu. It has sold out four of the years and brought millions of dollars into Maui's economy.

With a marketing partnership with the NFL Pro Bowl, having the two games on separate islands does create some logistical challenges, but the issues can be overcome, Klompus said.