Kapalua Resort, the iconic Hawaii golf course famous for hosting the PGA Tour’s season opener since 1999, is facing a serious challenge. Due to an ongoing water dispute involving a century-old irrigation system, the Plantation and Bay courses will close for 60 days starting September 2.

This shutdown aims to protect the water-starved greens and possibly save the chance to host The Sentry tournament in early 2026.

Alex Nakajima, the general manager of Kapalua Golf and Tennis, explained the urgency: “The golf course has been damaged with no water for months. I proposed to the owner that we need to shut the golf course to increase our chances to save the golf course and the tournament.” Without water since late July, the once lush green fairways have turned brown and dry, a stark contrast to Kapalua’s usual vibrant landscape.

The root of the problem lies in the 11-mile Honokohau Stream and Ditch System, which carries water from the West Maui mountains to the Kapalua area for irrigation and farming. Recently, homeowners and farms have sued Maui Land & Pineapple (MLP), accusing them of neglecting maintenance of this vital water system.

The lawsuit claims that MLP has “knowingly… let the Ditch System get into a state of clear poor repair,” leaving many users without the water they need—not due to drought but due to mismanagement.

MLP’s CEO, Race Randle, countered by saying the lawsuit is a tactic to get irrigation water during a historic drought. He also mentioned that the golf courses sought legal action because regulatory agencies did not stop what they call “careless water use.”

Meanwhile, TY Management, owned by Japanese billionaire Tadashi Yanai (founder of Uniqlo and owner of Kapalua), highlights the importance of The Sentry event, which contributes around $50 million to the local economy.

The PGA Tour is closely monitoring the situation, maintaining communication with sponsors, local government, and Kapalua Resort. However, Nakajima admits the situation is critical: “We have to do this right away. The golf course is dying every day.”

If the water issues aren’t resolved quickly, Kapalua may not be able to host The Sentry, a big blow to both the course and the community.

Kapalua golf course closure due to Maui water dispute affecting irrigation and PGA Tour events.
[X comment] Discussing Kapalua golf closure caused by water disputes affecting irrigation and upcoming PGA Tour events.

[X comment: Looked at Arnie’s autobiography. For the ’63 Ryder Cup mention, there are 3 sentences mentioning his captaincy. He won a close team vote to be captain over Finsterwald. He was honored. He played. Yeah, not the same Ryder Cup.] While this is a different sport and era, it reminds us how leadership and decisions off the course can impact the game itself — much like management decisions affecting Kapalua’s future.

In the meantime, the lawsuit demands that MLP honor its agreements to maintain and repair the ditch system, ensuring reliable water delivery. Data from the U.S. Geological Survey shows the watershed actually receives more rain than cities like Portland and Seattle, suggesting the problem is infrastructure, not nature.This water dispute at Kapalua highlights how vital proper management is—not just for golf but for the communities and economies that depend on it.

Let’s hope the parties involved find a solution soon, so Kapalua’s beautiful courses can thrive again, and the PGA Tour’s tradition can continue without interruption.