The game is present on Oahu and Big I, but its pretty sparse on the other islands.

Maui is ripe for development- there was a push to get it started a couple years back, a lot of gear was donated but nothing came of it.

 According to http://www.schooltree.org info for Maui County, HI, there are: 17 public elementary schools (K-5th/6th), 9 private elementary schools (generally K-8th), 5 public middle schools (6th-8th), 8 public high schools (9th-12th but some 7th-12th), and 5 private high schools (7th-12th) that could possibly field teams. The opportunity for growth and competition is enormous. 

1. There is a youth league which is a push away from being recognized as a school sport. If a strong outside influence (like LAS)  gave a little nudge in the right direction the club lacrosse scene in Hawaii could become a viable school sponsored sport providing resources, support, and new players. The impact for Hawaii’s lacrosse community would be monumental.

2. Hawaii is far enough away yet not too far. I feel that one of the biggest attractions for the LAS group traveling to GTG is the vacation involved with it. Hawaii is obviously one of the best vacation spots in the world. It is also apart of our wonderful country. So whoever is traveling doesn’t have to deal with all the cost, red tape, and frustration of involved in an international vacation, but they still get the benefit of feeling like they’re in a different world. 

3. There is arguably the best post-college lacrosse tournament in the country (maybe a bit bias) in place. You may think that this already is an awesome event helping high school lacrosse in Hawaii, don’t they have enough support. Not really. The tournament has done an amazing amount to help GTG in Hawaii, but the reality is the players (Rabil, Queener, Snider, etc.) are there to party, play lax, and vacation. The clinic put on in Hawaii by Wimmer had about 7-8 guys out who told us to play wall ball and did some fundamental stick drills for a bit. It was awesome, but there is definitely space for much much more. This tournament provides an avenue for the LAS team to play great competitive lacrosse, while also helping to grow the local lacrosse community. So you get to Grow the Game and be involved in the best fall tournament out there……say what?

4. There is a very hospitable core group of Hawaii mens players. Let me be the first to say that we would be the first to offer you a place to stay, and show you around Hawaii to get a real taste of the Hawaiian life and culture. I know that almost any member would open their arms and show you a great time while you’re in the islands, I definitely will. 

I love Hawaii LAX, and I can promise you a trip out here would be awesome for both parties. I’m going to suffer through a winter and spend my christmas break Syracuse NY, just so I can come back for a week in october. I hope you are interested in doing something out here, or even just coming to the tournament. I’ll be the first to offer help. 

Thanks, 

Lincoln Liesemeyer

Other continents: Peru Lacrosse is just starting out, Mexico could use some help, as well as Argentina. 

I would love to help out if you decide to do something in the Netherlands, as we need this sport to grow. There’s a lot of talent here, but just not enough professional coaching etc.