Maui’s War Memorial Complex stadium is set to come back to life for one brief, emotional weekend, as two island high schools return to the field for commencement after nearly a year of upgrades. Mayor Richard Bissen has approved a limited reopening so Maui High and Henry Perrine Baldwin High can once again use the Wailuku venue for their Class of 2026 celebrations.
According to a county press release, the stadium will open on Sunday, May 17 and Monday, May 18 to host the ceremonies. "Our County of Maui administration understands how meaningful milestone events like high school graduations are for our community," Bissen said in the announcement via County of Maui.
Maui High's commencement is set for 4:30 p.m. Sunday. The school notes that gates will open at 3 p.m., ticketed guests can head in starting at 3:30 p.m., and lei giving will follow the ceremony, per Maui High School. Baldwin's ceremony is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday on the statewide graduation calendar, according to the Hawaiʻi State Department of Education.
Closures and traffic
The County Department of Parks and Recreation is warning residents to plan ahead. Coach Soichi Sakamoto Pool, the War Memorial tennis courts and Little League Fields Nos. 1–5 will be closed May 17–18 to make room for the graduation crowds. The county is also asking drivers to brace for heavier traffic before and after each ceremony and says additional closures will be in place to keep arrivals and departures safe, with specific details outlined in the release from County of Maui.
A year of upgrades
The stadium has been largely off limits since June 20, 2025 while a capital-improvement project tackled structural repairs, waterproofing, repainting and equipment upgrades, including new field goals, a refreshed scoreboard and a public-address system. Earlier local coverage detailed how the shutdown was part of a plan to modernize aging systems so the longtime venue can keep hosting big community events in the years ahead, according to Maui Now.
Where to get updates
Families are being urged to stay plugged into their own schools’ announcements for the latest on tickets, parking and other logistics, and to double check dates and times against the statewide listing. The Hawaiʻi State Department of Education maintains the official graduation calendar, and local outlets, including a KITV segment on the limited reopening, have amplified the county’s announcement, as covered by KITV.
