Lahaina, Hawaii ? If Kent Houk could pick one spot in the world to follow Kansas University’s basketball team, the 50th State would be the locale.

“It’s one of the greatest places on earth,” Houk, vice president of Lawrence-based Travellers, Inc., said of Maui, site of this week’s EA Sports Maui Invitational.

“You just feel like you are on vacation,” stated Houk, whose company is in charge of flying 350 Jayhawk fans to paradise. “The weather is beautiful … the water, the beaches. You feel safe walking the sidewalks. There’s not nicer people than the ones in Hawaii.”

The basketball at the eight-team tournament is not only top-notch – six teams in this year’s field have won national championships – but the setting breathtaking and the hospitality one of a kind.

“They understand the whole economy basically is based on tourism. They take care of people. Even e-mail … every e-mail there ends in ‘Aloha,”’ Houk said.

Hawaii has to be one of the least stressful places in the United States.

“Nobody wears ties. Everybody is laid-back,” said Houk, who figures he’s been to Maui about 10 times. “There might be a bank president somewhere who wears a tie, but I haven’t seen it.”

Coaches who visit Hawaii over Thanksgiving week generally wear Hawaiian shirts or golf shirts with the school logo on them while prancing the sidelines.

Fans often head to the games wearing their beach attire, for the beach is pretty much where they will be hanging out when not watching basketball.

The KU team and traveling party of fans will be staying at the Westin Maui, which has a backyard of Kaanapali Beach and the ocean.

“The Sheraton is on one end, the Hyatt the other and the Westin in the middle,” Houk said of Kaanapali beach properties. “Step out of the hotel and there’s a pool in the back and 10 yards away the beach.

“There’s an extra-wide sidewalk behind the properties which you walk and stop at various places along the way.”

KU’s players will be allowed to walk that strip of beach when not practicing or playing games.

“They’ll see the beach, they just won’t get in the water,” KU coach Bill Self said with a smile, noting the players would take part in an EA Sports video-game competition and the coaches a free-throw exhibition.

“Sunday we practice an hour and a half, the rest of the time will be free. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday it’s all business. Thursday they can go enjoy the sights, because we’re not coming back until midnight.”

As far as the sights and activities … well, most involve water since the year-round temperature is in the 80s.

“Most will be basking in the sun,” Houk said of fans who don’t have to worry about playing in the games. “There’s snorkeling, outrigger rides, golf across the street at Kaanapali North and South courses.

“Bike rides to the top of the mountain for sunrise and ride the bike down. There are catamaran cruises, every once in awhile you might catch the occasional whale. On Thanksgiving a lot of people go on a luau. That’s popular.”

One also might see the occasional celebrity in Maui, especially this time of year.

“Last time it was Magic Johnson and the third baseman from the Giants, Matt Williams,” Houk said. “It’s all low-key because there’s nobody bothering them. It’s all relaxed.”

For those wanting to get off the beach, there are places to eat and shops in downtown Lahaina, a five-minute drive from Kaanapali Beach.

“There are some great restaurants there. Fish of course, but it’s all good,” Houk said. “There’s everything from pizza joints to fine restaurants.”

The Jayhawks are looking forward to getting away.

“We’re going to be dodging the cold weather,” frosh Julian Wright said, enthused his mom also was making the trip with perhaps other relatives.

“I’ve really been looking forward to it. I’ve never been there. I’m going to have to make sure to get work in my classes done so I don’t have to work on Thanksgiving break.”

Two sophomores aren’t much thinking about scenery.

“First of all, I’m going there to play basketball, so it’s only business,” Russell Robinson said. “We’re going to try to get some wins against some tough competition and try to get the best of the experience.

“I’m not too big on islands for some reason. I’m not a big island person,” grinned sophomore C.J. Giles, who next was asked if he ever had been on an island.

“No,” he said, adding he hoped it’d be a great time.

“It’s going to be a great experience,” said freshman Mario Chalmers, who was there for a grade-school tournament. “Maui’s one of the best eight-team tournaments there is. It’s just a great honor to be chosen to go down there and play.”

Houk, after his years of travel experience, insists fun will be had by all.

“It’s hard to not have a good time there,” he said.

“I’ve always felt you have the best time if you win,” Self said.

¢ Downs day-to-day: Micah Downs did not practice Saturday morning, instead receiving treatment on the left ankle he sprained at shootaround before Friday’s victory over Idaho State. The freshman guard/forward did not need to wear a boot on his foot on the flight to Oakland, Calif., and on to Maui and is listed day-to-day.