On Saturday, September 5th 2026, Paradise High School Varsity Bobcats will travel to Maui, Hawaii, to face Lahainaluna High School in a powerful and meaningful football game.
On November 8, 2018, Paradise was devastated by the Camp Fire, which destroyed nearly 20,000 homes and tragically claimed 85 lives. The compassion, support, and outreach extended to the Paradise students and community during that time will never be forgotten.
When wildfires struck Maui on August 8, 2023, taking 102 lives and destroying approximately 3,000 homes and structures, students at Paradise High immediately asked, “What can we do to help?” They began sending messages of support and designed a T-shirt that read, “From One Paradise to Another – Ho'ihi” — a Hawaiian word meaning respect for the island, its people, and one another. Staff and students proudly wore the shirts in solidarity.
In late 2024, Paradise Athletic Director Jerry Cleek recalled how football had played a crucial role in lifting the spirits of students and the broader community during Paradise’s own recovery. Inspired, he proposed a home-and-home football series with Lahainaluna High. The idea was embraced by Paradise leadership and welcomed by Lahainaluna administrators, athletic staff, and coaches.
Over the course of a year, the two schools stayed in close contact, ultimately deciding that 2025 was still too soon for such a large and emotional event. But in April 2025, they agreed: the first game would be held in Maui in 2026, with a return game in Paradise in 2027.
These games are about more than football — they’re about resilience, respect, and the power of community. We hope they inspire both towns and forge bonds that last a lifetime.
A heartfelt thank-you to all for helping bring this vision to life.
Organizer
PHS Donations
Organizer
Paradise, CA