Kapalua, Hawaii, August 29, 2025
News Summary
The Kapalua resort in Hawaii has announced the temporary closure of its Plantation and Bay golf courses for two months starting September 2 due to a severe irrigation water shortage. Staff are working to conserve water and maintain the turf, aiming to prevent further deterioration ahead of the PGA Tour’s The Sentry event scheduled for January 2026. Local homeowners and resort ownership are engaged in a legal dispute over the management of the irrigation system that has contributed to the crisis.
Kapalua — Water Crisis Forces Beloved Resort to Close for Two Months
What just happened
In Kapalua, a famed Hawaiian golf destination long known for its lush vistas and the season-opening PGA Tour event, both the Plantation and Bay courses will shut down for two months starting September 2. The move is aimed at protecting turf that has been suffering from a serious shortage of irrigation water.
Why the sudden shutdown?
Course managers say the fairways have been deteriorating rapidly after receiving no irrigation water since July 25. With grass turning yellow and brown instead of the resort’s signature green, the resort decided a temporary closure is the best way to preserve what remains. Limited water supplies will be focused on slow-releasing fertilizer applications and on cleanup work to remove dead grass and prep the turf for recovery.
Big stakes: does this threaten the PGA Tour’s future here?
The closure raises pointed concerns about Kapalua’s ability to host The Sentry — the signature, $20 million event that traditionally kicks off the PGA Tour calendar. The tournament is scheduled for January 8 to 11, 2026, and organizers, sponsors, and the Tour itself are watching developments closely. The Tour has been in contact with the resort and sponsors as the situation unfolds.
Who’s involved and what’s the dispute?
The resort’s ownership and local homeowners have accused the regional land and pineapple company that historically ran the irrigation delivery system of mismanaging an aging water network. The complaint centers on the 11-mile Honokohau Stream and Ditch System that supplies much of Kapalua’s irrigation. Owners and residents argue that a lack of proper maintenance — not just low stream flows — left the courses vulnerable.
The company responsible for the ditch system says repairs were completed and that unusually low stream flows are the root of the supply problem, not negligence. Legal action seeks to have the system operator live up to agreements to maintain reliable irrigation to the area.
On-the-ground impact
Staff at Kapalua are focused on triage: conserving scarce water, applying treatments that slow turf decline, and removing dead areas so recovery can begin when more water is available. The resort has been offering discounts to guests while conditions are subpar, and resort leadership has called for immediate action to prevent permanent turf loss.
Why fans should care
The Plantation Course is steeped in PGA Tour history, having hosted memorable moments over the years. A sustained loss of course quality could affect the event’s appeal and logistics, and change the look and playability of a course players and fans have come to expect each season. For golf enthusiasts who love early-season Hawaiian golf weather and dramatic downhill tee shots, this is a story to follow.
What to watch next
- Whether irrigation repairs or rainfall restore consistent water to Kapalua before the January starting date.
- How the legal dispute over the Honokohau ditch system resolves and whether any orders or settlements require immediate fixes.
- Announcements from the PGA Tour and the event sponsor about contingency plans if course quality cannot be guaranteed.
Quick recap
Kapalua has closed both main golf courses for two months beginning September 2 to give staff a fighting chance to save the turf after irrigation stopped in late July. The closure is a precaution to protect the course and the high-profile PGA Tour event that has traditionally opened the season in Hawaii. A lawsuit over the local water delivery system is underway, while the Tour and sponsors monitor the situation.
FAQ
Is Kapalua really closing both golf courses?
Yes. Both the Plantation and Bay courses will be closed for two months starting September 2 to conserve water and allow repair and recovery work.
Why did irrigation stop?
Irrigation water has not been available at Kapalua since July 25. Owners and homeowners allege the century-old Honokohau ditch system was neglected, while the ditch operator attributes the disruption to low stream flows and says repairs have been made.
Does this put the January 2026 PGA Tour event at risk?
It raises concerns. The PGA Tour is monitoring the situation and is in communication with the resort and the title sponsor. The event is currently scheduled for January 8–11, 2026.
What are the immediate steps being taken by the resort?
Staff are concentrating limited water on critical fertilizer work, removing dead turf, and preparing the courses for recovery once normal water supplies return.
Who is being sued and why?
The resort owner and local homeowners filed suit against the company responsible for the Honokohau Stream and Ditch System, alleging mismanagement and failure to maintain the infrastructure that supplies irrigation water.
Quick Reference Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Closure Dates | Starting September 2, two-month shutdown |
| Affected Courses | Plantation Course and Bay Course |
| Last Known Irrigation | No irrigation since July 25 |
| High-Profile Event | The Sentry (PGA Tour), scheduled Jan 8–11, 2026 — situation under review |
| Core Issue | Dispute over maintenance and reliability of the 11-mile Honokohau Stream and Ditch System |
| Legal Status | Owners and homeowners filed a lawsuit seeking enforcement of maintenance obligations |
| Current Condition | Fairways showing yellow and brown turf; recovery work planned during closure |
For golf fans keeping score: this is a developing story that blends turf management, water rights, and big-money tournament planning. Keep an eye on official updates as the fall and winter approach — the look of Kapalua in January could be very different from the lush postcard greens most of us remember.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Golf Scene in Crisis as Kapalua Faces 60-Day Course Shutdown
Major Maui Golf Course Temporarily Closes Amid Water Crisis
Additional Resources
- ESPN: Kapalua Close PGA Tour Course for Two Months Amid Water Dispute
- Golf.com: Maui’s Kapalua Golf Courses Face Water Drought
- Golfweek: Kapalua Temporarily Closes Two Golf Courses Amid Drought
- Golf Digest: Kapalua Golf Course Closure and Tournament Risks
- AP News: Kapalua Golf Facing Water Supply Issues and Lawsuit
- Wikipedia: Kapalua
- Google Search: Kapalua Golf Course Water Dispute
- Google Scholar: Kapalua Golf Course Irrigation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Kapalua Resort
- Google News: Kapalua PGA Tour 2026
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