Starting in 2027, Maui’s Kapalua Resort will host the LPGA Tour’s LOTTE Championship at its Plantation Course, marking the return of professional golf to Kapalua for the first time since 2008. The tournament, which carries a $3 million purse, was previously held for 14 years on Oahu, most recently at Hoakalei Country Club. This new hosting opportunity comes after the PGA Tour ended its long-standing event at Kapalua, which ran from 1999 to 2025, canceling the 2026 tournament and deciding against a return to Hawaii in 2027 due to logistical challenges.

The shift to the LPGA Tour event is seen as a crucial economic boost for Kapalua and the broader West Maui area, which is still recuperating from the 2023 Lahaina wildfires. Kapalua Golf and Tennis General Manager Alex Nakajima emphasized that the LOTTE Championship will bring hundreds of visitors requiring thousands of hotel rooms, benefiting every sector of Maui’s economy. This development also reflects strong support from the resort’s ownership and the local community’s commitment to recovery and growth.

From the LPGA’s perspective, Kapalua’s Plantation Course is highly regarded, ranking 23rd among the top 100 public courses nationwide according to Golf Digest. LPGA Commissioner Craig Kessler highlighted the importance of venues with deep-rooted heritage like Kapalua as the tour continues to expand and enhance its schedule. The tournament also aligns with the Play Hawaii Golf alliance initiative, which includes 12 founding resorts such as Ko Olina on Oahu and Wailea in Maui, aiming to boost golf tourism amid the departure of PGA Tour events from Hawaii.

In addition to the LOTTE Championship, Hawaii will also host the LPGA’s Nanea Cup at Nanea Golf Club on the Big Island, featuring a $4 million purse and a unique competition involving both LPGA professionals and top collegiate golfers. This event, along with Kapalua’s tournament, underscores Hawaii’s strategic role in the LPGA Tour schedule as it transitions from its Asian leg to West Coast events. Hawaiian native and 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion Allisen Corpuz praised Kapalua as a spectacular venue that showcases the beauty and spirit of the islands.